Business
Credit unions don’t necessarily need to offer special loan products or pride-themed debit cards in order to effectively serve LGBTQ members. It’s the little things, such as making them feel special and welcome at the branch and letting them know the credit union cares for and respects them that make the biggest impact. “That’s just another part of the secret sauce to your credit union,” says Linda Bodie, CEO of $55 million asset Element Federal Credit Union in Charleston, W.V., and one of the co-founders of CU Pride. “Make sure your members know that you care about them and that they’re treated with respect.” In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Bodie talks about how credit unions can find that “secret sauce” and serve members of the LGBTQ community and what Element Federal does. She also discussed CU Pride, an organization that advocates for the LGBTQ community in the credit union movement.