Fullerton, CA (Monday, August 27, 2007) – Graves Communications, a Fullerton-based strategic planning and communications company that specializes in Credit Unions, announced that the keynote speaker for their informative and educationally focused conference entitled: “Straight Talk on Charter Options” is to be Peter Duffy, Associate Director at Sandler O’Neill & Partners, LLP in New York City.  Duffy works with Credit Unions and banks nationwide in competitive analysis, investment portfolio development, charter decisions, and more. Duffy is the former Chairman of the Credit Union Executive Society Financial Suppliers Advisory Committee and frequently speaks at credit union and bank conferences. Duffy has worked with credit unions and banks since 1993 and has been published many times for his discussion of various important financial issues.

Duffy will be giving the keynote presentation regarding “Market Forces that are affecting Credit Unions.” This intriguing presentation will explore the impact of the evolving economy and consumer behavior on the CU Business model. The objective of the session is to provide a fair and balanced look at the factors that inhibit Credit Unions from staying true to their core value of putting the member first. This fact-based perspective investigates what issues have kept CUs from capitalizing on their outstanding culture of caring for their members and offers various suggestions (besides merger and charter) that can lead to the unleashing of the CU Brand. Duffy will also present several other sessions entitled “When is a Mutual Savings Bank Charter right for a Credit Union?” and “Life as a Mutual Savings Bank – The New Business Model,” as well as facilitating a panel discussion to talk about questions raised during the conference.

Participation in the conference is limited and the event will be held Monday, September 24, 2007 and Tuesday, September 25. To find out more information, contact Graves Communications by phone at 714-264-8778 or by email at gary@gravescom.com. To see the complete schedule or to register online, visit www.regonline.com/cuknowledge.