CUAD is excited about this year’s New Ideas Conference Keynote Speaker: Kristen Christian, founder of

As you may recall, Bank Transfer Day is a consumer initiative calling for a voluntary switch from commercial banks to credit unions. The official “Bank Transfer Day” took place November 5, 2011, but the movement continues today.

 Christian, who was an art gallery owner in Los Angeles, CA, said she was dissatisfied with Bank of America's "ridiculous fees and poor customer service."  She created an event on Facebook called “Bank Transfer Day” and invited her friends to close their accounts at big for-profit banks and move their money to credit unions by November 5, 2011.   Her initiative exploded into the mainstream. When I checked today, the Bank Transfer Day Facebook page had over 58,000 “likes”. And that is not all.

Credit Union National Association (CUNA) has said the association's web site aimed at informing customers about credit union services has seen traffic double.  CUNA members reported an increase in account openings, and on November 5, 2011 alone, approximately 40,000 people joined credit unions, with credit unions realizing $80 million in new account funds.  

Since last November, Kristen has been included in MORE Magazine's "The Fierce List", named one of the top ten inspirational women of 2011 by NBC's iVillage.com, in addition to having the honor to speak at Commonwealth Club of California and the General Session of the Governmental Affairs Conference.

Now, you have an opportunity to meet this remarkable young woman. Her Keynote topic, “New Ideas for a Brave New World” will set the tone for the entire New Ideas Conference!