The federal income tax exemption for credit unions sticks taxpayers with a hefty bill: nearly $24 billion over 10 years. But with no public accountability for their contributions to their communities, it’s fair to ask: What do taxpayers get in return?
Last week, Utah Valley University (UVU) announced “the largest single gift in UVU’s history,” a $28.5 million pledge from Utah Community Credit Union (UCCU), with $20 million earmarked for a state-of-the-art soccer stadium featuring 10 luxury suites. This questionable use of credit union member – and taxpayer – resources highlights a troublesome trend within the credit union industry.
At long last, state and federal regulators have taken a hard look at a massive proposed deal in which a super-large credit union attempted to purchase a bank with over $1 billion in assets. And finally, they appear to have grown tired of these antics, put their respective feet down and said, “enough is enough.”
It’s not just credit unions that are making a pile from buying banks. As it turns out, there is a cottage industry of consultants and advisors behind these deals, which are fueled by credit unions’ federal tax exemption.
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