An Eventful Week
Our advocacy this week has been firing off on all cylinders. DCUC sent letters to House and Senate committees highlighting our concerns and proposing solutions to improve military banking, veteran financial well-being, and credit union regulations.

We also celebrated the bipartisan introduction of the Veterans Member Business Loan Act (VMBL) by the Senate (S.110) and House (H.R.507), see our release here. This legislation will empower veteran entrepreneurs by removing outdated lending caps that currently hinder credit unions from fully supporting our nation's service members and veterans in their business ventures. We strongly encourage you to contact your Representative and Senators and ask them to support this co-sponsored bill.

We also encourage you to send this important sample letter to your Representative and Senators calling on their support to preserve our tax status. This fight is gearing up and our voices have an even greater impact when joined together!

Top Initiatives This Week

• DCUC's letter sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee addressed concerns over potential CRA-like requirements that could limit credit unions' ability to provide financial services.
• ​DCUC called for the preservation of the credit union tax status in our letter sent to the House Ways and Means Committee; ahead of the committee hearing, "The Need to Make Permanent the Trump Tax Cuts for Working Families." Read more here.
• DCUC's letter sent to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee stressed the unique challenges faced by military and veteran families in securing loans and purchasing homes.
• DCUC sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee ahead of Treasury Secretary Confirmation hearing highlighting critical issues impacting the financial well-being of military personnel, veterans, and their families. Read more here.
• DCUC sent a letter to the Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee regarding the de novo bank bill and regulations that create challenges for de novo credit unions. Read more here.

On Wednesday, DCUC participated in key stakeholder meetings alongside America's Credit Unions (ACU) organized by the Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC) to oppose legislative efforts proposing to alter the interchange system in the new Congress.

We discussed how the proposed interchange legislation would introduce avoidable economic challenges and bring long-term repercussions to our nation's financial ecosystem and consumers. DCUC plans to highlight the EPC's findings in future letters of opposition to CCCA and similar interchange proposals, and values these collaborative meetings with fellow advocates. 

Senate Confirmation Process and Hill Advocacy
DCUC will continue to monitor Congressional confirmations and hearings closely. We have preparations underway for additional meetings on Capitol Hill to support pro-credit union policies and strengthen relationships with new appointees.

Join DCUC, Call on Congress to Preserve the Credit Union Tax Status
📣 Act now! Let’s present a united front to defend our industry and members!

DCUC is standing firm against misinformation and attacks on the credit union tax exemption. We published a CUToday op-ed and wrote to Congress on this ongoing issue. However, our voice is stronger when joined with yours to protect credit unions’ not-for-profit status and member-focused mission.

We urge you to take a few minutes out of your day to send this sample letter to your Representatives and Senators. We need to thank them for recognizing the vital role of credit unions—especially those serving military and veteran communities—and urge them to preserve our tax exemption. Together, we can ensure credit unions remain a trusted choice for affordable financial services and exemplify an important part of the financial ecosystem, no matter how hard for-profit banks attempt to undermine our mission.

Advocacy Discussions
Debunking Misconceptions: The Truth About Credit Unions, Taxation, And Community Banking, featured on CUToday.com

In this op-ed, we address the Independent Community Bankers of America's (ICBA) ongoing portrayal of credit unions, countering their claims about tax advantages, mission drift, and acquisitions of community banks. This article highlights how the ICBA continues to overlook tax benefits enjoyed by Subchapter S community banks, such as pass-through taxation and other mechanisms while criticizing credit unions' tax-exempt status. We will continue to defend credit unions’ lasting mission to serve underserved populations, emphasizing the positive community impact, member-focused operations, and the importance of having an honest, informed dialogue about tax equity and financial fairness. Read more here.

Shared Accounts Podcast with CU Times: Jason Stverak & DCUC’s Busy 2025 🎙️ 

Don’t miss DCUC's Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak on Credit Union Times' Shared Accounts podcast! He shares 2025 priorities, from safeguarding CU tax-exempt status to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reforms, and his passion for advocating for CUs. Listen here!


​If you have any questions, concerns, or wish to discuss these or other advocacy matters, please do not hesitate to Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer at [email protected] or 202.557.8528.

​WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) participated in key stakeholder meetings alongside America's Credit Unions (ACU) organized by the Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC) to oppose legislative efforts proposing to alter the interchange system in the new Congress. DCUC has actively countered repeated attempts by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) to introduce legislation or studies imposing new credit card routing mandates, which would harm consumers and jeopardize the financial readiness of servicemembers and veterans.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) sent a letter to the Honorable Andy Barr, Chairman of the Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee, commending his leadership in introducing the de novo bank bill.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) celebrates the U.S. House and Senate’s support of the Veterans Member Business Loan (VMBL) Act, vital legislation empowering veteran entrepreneurs by removing arbitrary lending caps currently hindering credit unions from fully supporting service members and veterans in their business ventures. The current lending caps were first imposed by Congress through the Credit Union Membership Access Act of 1998. See the official congressional announcement here. ​

​WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee addressing concerns ahead of the confirmation of Mr. Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary.
​
In the letter, Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer stressed the importance of discussing issues central to the financial well-being of our members during the Committee’s confirmation process.

​WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) sent a letter to the Honorable Jason Smith, Chairman, and the Honorable Richard Neal, Ranking Member, of the House Ways and Means Committee, urging their support for the preservation of credit unions’ federal tax-exempt status. DCUC’s letter comes ahead of the committee’s hearing titled, “The Need to Make Permanent the Trump Tax Cuts for Working Families,” scheduled for tomorrow, January 14.

The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) formally requested meetings with each NCUA Board member to address critical issues impacting credit unions and the military communities they serve. Following the release of NCUA’s 2025 Supervisory Priorities, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak outlined key observations and concerns in a letter to NCUA Chairman Todd Harper, specifically on cybersecurity, liquidity risks, balance sheet management, consumer financial protection, and the Military Lending Act (MLA). 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) sent a letter to the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee highlighting critical issues impacting the financial well-being of military personnel, veterans, and their families.
​
The letter, written by DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer, comes as the Committee evaluates the nomination of Congressman Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. DCUC’s letter reinforces its commitment to serving the financial needs of military and veteran communities while advocating for policies that empower their financial future.

​WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) sent a letter to the Honorable Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chairman, and the Honorable Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee raising concerns over the critical issues related to the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Military Banking Programs, Policies, and Regulations.