As we charge into 2025, the industry faces significant challenges on Capitol Hill and within the executive branch. For months DCUC has warned of the mounting threats to our industry, including calls to dismantle our tax exemption, impose Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements on federal credit unions, and a wave of regulatory overreach targeting overdraft protection, interest rate caps, and third-party vendor oversight. Add to this the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) and it becomes crystal clear: our industry needs a bold trade association that fiercely advocates for its members while maintaining its credibility on Capitol Hill. The good news is that DCUC saw these challenges months ago and acted quickly. We revamped our advocacy model to meet these threats head-on, pushing back on the bank lobby’s relentless campaign to radically change and disrupt our industry’s existence. We are fighting smarter, harder, and more effectively than ever before. Our advocacy readiness is at an all-time high, and the results are speaking for themselves across trade media. DCUC’s member value and advocacy success continues to stand out within the industry.
This momentum doesn’t happen overnight, it’s built on our hard-won victories achieved last year. For those new to DCUC, we successfully defeated two successive amendments aimed at altering the Federal Credit Union Act (FCUA) to allow federal share insurance on non-member deposits. Had these amendments passed, credit unions would’ve been rendered indistinguishable from for-profit banks, or “banks with a tax exemption,” feeding mischaracterized tax arguments repeatedly fabricated by the bank lobby. Make no mistake, this was a defining win for the entire credit union movement and fellow advocates. DCUC will continue to rise as the industry’s best advocate as we keep our focus on defending and championing the founding ethos that still defines our industry’s mission and purpose today. However, we have much more in store this year. If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to sign up for Jason Stverak’s weekly advocacy update, titled “Weekly Watch” and participate in our monthly Military Advocacy Committee meetings. Your presence and input matter; hearing directly from you allows us more ways to elevate your credit union’s perspectives and strengthen our representation for you and your membership. During these meetings, the weekly advocacy email, and these ALERT articles, both Jason and John McKechnie provide comprehensive insights into what is happening on Capitol Hill, within the NCUA, and at DoD. These updates are not just to inform you but to equip you to navigate the forces bringing change and challenges to our industry. We always welcome our members to reach out. Whether you have more questions about what’s going on, need more information, or need to elevate an issue to us, we are always accessible. Or, let’s grab a beverage, have a seat, and prepare to be empowered and intrigued by the latest industry developments, and how DCUC is reshaping and leading on the battle field. This year, we’re also launching a new “Value Series” of videos and educational content. These will dive into essential topics impacting your credit union’s operations and service to different fields of membership. We’ll cover the latest on the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act, Military Lending Act administration, veteran benefits, and all the latest Quality of Life (QOL) enhancements/financial readiness programs for servicemembers (e.g., the 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted members, see Jason’s article here). These resources will ensure your credit union leads the charge in financial education and improving the quality of life of your military communities. Finally, our calendar of DCUC Conferences and Events this year promises to be one of the best yet. Following the success of last year’s launch of our first-ever Texas Sub-Council, we are planning to expand with a West Coast Sub-Council this year. Plus, we are always focused on sustaining and exceeding our Overseas and Annual conference experience. These larger events and our annual Defense Matters advocacy session ahead of the GAC remain an important part of larger industry events, delivering impactful discussions, innovative breakout sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities. We are very excited to have each of you join us for this year’s events! As we press forward, one thing is certain: DCUC’s credibility and influence remain unmatched. We’ve proven DCUC isn’t some small, niche trade association. We continue to deliver results felt across the entire industry. We are incredibly determined and honored to pull our members’ voices together into a strong force that amplifies the impact you have in America’s financial ecosystem. We see every month how much our members pour into their membership and local communities and are more than proud to share your stories of impact in our ALERT. We will not let your story fall under the radar. DCUC is charging forward to bring success you can count on. We are leading, building, and winning on your behalf. Together, we will face every challenge, seize every opportunity, and continue setting the standard for what a trade association should be. I look forward to a landmark year for DCUC and each of our members. The future of our industry depends on it. Let’s keep building momentum. Comments are closed.
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