Electro Savings Blog

For decades, Howard Hoemann has seen firsthand the life-changing work credit unions perform all over the world.  

So, for those familiar with his dedication to the credit union mission, it’ll come as no surprise that he’s begun a new chapter as a member of the International Relations Committee for Cornerstone League. 

Cornerstone serves credit unions in Missouri and four other states by providing political advocacy, educational resources, compliance assistance, and much more. 

The International Relations Committee has a multi-layered approach to its work, including philanthropy, international networking, and providing support to credit unions and their members when affected by natural disasters or geopolitical crises. 

Hoemann said he attended the committee’s first meeting on October 16 and is happy to put his experience to use. 

“I’m looking forward to using my background and experience to contribute in any way that might be appropriate,” he said. “A lot of times, I think people retire, and that’s sort of the end of whatever activity they had. I’ve been fortunate that through Electro, I’ve been able to keep touch with the credit union community and hopefully contribute.”

For about 20 years, he served on the Board of Directors for Electro Savings Credit Union. He stepped down in 2019 so he could spend more time with his family and travel with his wife, Yolanda. Electro’s board honored Hoemann with the title of Director Emeritus, which allows him to stay involved. That same year, Electro staff nominated Hoemann for the Heartland Credit Union Association as the Credit Union Volunteer of the Year, and he received the award. It was an unexpected honor, and one that he’s very proud of. 

Hoemann’s credit union story, however, extends back to the mid-1960s as a college student intrigued by a Peace Corp opportunity. His decision to join kicked off a career he could have never imagined. While serving in Ecuador, working with the Ecuadorian Credit Union Federation, he saw how impactful it was for people to mobilize savings and get loans so they could open a barbershop or expand their small-scale chicken farm. 

After that, he worked for CUNA’s International Relations – now called World Council of Credit Unions – that took him to Africa. Later, as the president/CEO of the Connecticut Credit Union League, he assisted with credit union development in the United Kingdom and Poland. Before retiring in 2010, he worked at PSCU, the largest credit union service organization in the U.S.

When Cornerstone requested committee member applications, Hoemann was eager to join the International Relations Committee. He was also selected to serve on Cornerstone’s Awards & Recognition Committee, which has begun meeting as well.

We asked Hoemann why he’s been passionate about credit unions for so many years, and he said it goes all the way back to his time in Ecuador.

“Credit unions provide so many valuable resources that are outside of the normal banking structure,” he said. “They’re here to help people day in and day out that wouldn’t have any other alternative. They might look like a huge bank, but at the heart of it they’re there to help people. If they’re doing their job, they’re helping the people that need it most.”