![]() SUITLAND, Md. – Andrews Federal Credit Union recently sponsored the Prince George’s Proud Veterans Appreciation Luncheon. The luncheon was organized by the Prince George’s County Government. Col. Todd Randolph, the Joint Base Andrews Commander, served as the keynote speaker. Andrews Federal provided monetary support for the event, as well as providing commemorative items for the veterans in attendance. Members of the Andrews Federal executive leadership team were also in attendance at the event. ![]() PORTSMOUTH, NH (December 4, 2023) – Service Credit Union is proud to continue its own holiday traditions, giving back to New Hampshire communities one effort at a time. Now in its 4th year, Service CU has distributed a total of 21,000 bags through its Stay Warm initiative. Through this effort, credit union volunteers pack bags that include a hat, glove, scarf, and blanket to be distributed to nonprofit partners across the state. This year, volunteers packed 6,000 bags that were given to 35 NH nonprofits to be distributed to their communities. The organizations include homeless shelters, food pantries, children’s programs and schools. Earlier this year, DCUC and the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) sent a joint letter to the NCUA Board.
In the letter, we asked the NCUA to amend the definition of “qualified charity” as it relates to Charitable Donation Accounts (CDAs) in Part 721.3 of NCUA regulations to include 501(c)(19) veterans’ organizations. Today, our efforts were a great success! WASHINGTON—Will the awarding of a contract to Navy FCU to provide banking services on military bases stand? Or will the Department of Defense contract be rescinded and then bid back out to another player, likely a bank?
It's a critical debate right now, according to the president and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council, who said the decision by the DoD to award the contract to provide those services to the world’s largest credit union has created considerable controversy, contending it is possible the current agreement with the Department of Defense and Navy FCU will not stand. Take a moment and think about your own path; surely you can identify a mentor that had an impact on the trajectory of your career. When I look back on my career, both in the technology industry and the credit union industry, I can think of several. So, when Tony asked whether I’d be a mentor for one of the Crashers at the recent DCUC Annual Conference in August, I excitedly accepted. Though we didn’t have too much time together (our schedules are all PACKED!), we did share introductions, including career paths and aspirations, met for lunch, and checked on each other multiple times throughout the conference. We also followed up after the conference with promised communication specific to topics we discussed at the conference. A very positive experience if you’ve never participated!
![]() WASHINGTON–Navy Federal Credit Union has reached out to Capitol Hill seeking assistance in resolving an issue related to deposit insurance and a contract Navy FCU has won to operate bank branches on military bases. CUToday.info has obtained a copy of a letter Navy Federal has sent to Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, in which the credit union states an “issue” with NCUA “threatens to undermine our ability to provide deposit insurance to servicemembers’ accounts in the Overseas Military Banking Program (OMBP).” WASHINGTON–On behalf of numerous defense credit unions, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) is publicly voicing strong concerns over the awarding of a contract to Navy FCU to provide banking services on military bases, filling a void created when Bank of America chose not to bid on the contract.
The September melodrama over a federal government shutdown may have overshadowed other important defense-related issues in the headlines, but DCUC has stayed focused on the essential matters at hand that are important to you, our members, as the calendar moves to October. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was on the hot seat in the Supreme Court October 3 as oral arguments in the case challenging its constitutionality and funding began.
In the case being heard, the Community Financial Services Association (CFSA) is seeking to block the enforcement of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules designed to restrict payday lending products. The CFSA is arguing that Congress violated the Constitution’s appropriations clause when it granted the CFPB a portion of the Federal Reserve’s operating budget. The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals found in favor of the CFSA, using language suggesting that only funds appropriated through the annual Congressional process are legal. The Defense Department has awarded a contract to operate the Overseas Military Banking Program to Navy Federal Credit Union, but there is one lingering problem—the NCUA said it cannot insure the credit union accounts in the program.
For over 60 years, DCUC has successfully advocated for all credit unions serving our military and veteran communities across the globe. No other trade association accomplishes this important mission quite like DCUC. We are proud to do so and remain confident and firm in our mission no matter the situation. As part of this mission, DCUC is always ready to champion innovative solutions that enable our member credit unions to better serve our Nation’s military, veterans, and their families. Yet, innovation needs to still comply with existing rules and regulations that are in place to ensure the security of those we serve.
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