CEO Update: This Year’s DCUC Annual Conference

Great News: Together, We Won the Battle to Preserve the Industry’s Tax-Exempt Status!

That’s a victory worth celebrating—for every credit union, every member, and everyone reading this update.

But is the fight over?

​As the Zen Master reminds us, “We shall see.”

The Reality
The bank lobby isn’t giving up. They’ll continue pressing Congress to eliminate the credit union tax exemption. Even more concerning, this year’s efforts revealed a troubling trend: some of our traditional allies are growing disillusioned with credit unions, and a growing number are warming up to the idea of taxing our industry. So, while we’ve won this round, the larger fight continues.

What’s Next
Right now, our focus shifts to DCUC’s Annual Conference, and we couldn’t be more excited about the strength of this year’s agenda. In today’s complex environment—marked by economic shifts, rapid technological change, and rising political pressures—our program is designed to equip leaders with insights, strategies, and inspiration to stay ahead.

For decades, DCUC has featured powerful stories from Medal of Honor recipients, wounded warriors, senior defense officials, and military heroes. This year is no exception. These unforgettable presentations remind us why we do what we do—and bring our shared mission of “serving those who serve our country” to life in the most meaningful way.

But we’re not stopping there.

Facing the Future—Head On
While we fought to protect our tax status in Washington, many of our member credit unions continued to grapple with urgent business realities. Evolving technology, economic headwinds, and shifting member expectations all threaten the long-term viability of credit unions that don’t adapt.

We heard your calls for bold, relevant content—and we delivered. This year’s conference features high-impact sessions designed to inform and empower boards, CEOs, and leaders alike.

Plus, follow-on discussions are built into the schedule via ample breaks, meals, and social events.

A Preview of What’s On Stage
Post-Quantum Cryptography: Preparing Credit Unions for the Next Security Challenge
Quantum computing is advancing quickly, and it is no longer a question of “if” it will break today’s encryption, but when. The cryptographic systems that the digital world depends on to protect data, transactions, identities, and services will become vulnerable.

The Payments Revolution Is Here: Why Missing This Stablecoin Shift Could Leave Your Credit Union Behind
Discover how the GENIUS Act is fast-tracking stablecoin adoption—and why credit unions that don’t act now risk losing members, relevance, and revenue.

Integrating AI Safely
While your competitors leverage generative AI for superior efficiency and 24/7-member service, the stakes have never been higher. One misstep in AI governance, compliance, or cybersecurity could land your credit union in regulatory hot water—or worse, frontpage headlines.

The technology that could revolutionize your operations might also be the risk you can't afford to ignore.

Plus, this year we are offering more breakout sessions on a wide variety of industry topics from succession planning, fintech adoption, payment fraud, charitable donation accounts, maximizing collateral recovery, core data insights, balance sheet strategies, and much more.

We will also have DCUC’s Chief Advocacy Officer, Jason Stverak and our long-time partner John McKechnie, on hand to discuss where DCUC goes in terms of advocacy over the next few months and how credit unions can get more involved in making a difference. This is the Industry’s Top Advocacy Duo and a “must-see” for those who are politically inclined.

Finally, since DCUC accomplished 7 out of our 8 strategic objectives within the first 15 months of our three-year plan, it is time to craft a bold new plan. It is no secret where DCUC is headed in terms of industry leadership. Find out how we will get there, stay there, and what this means for your credit union in terms of greater value at a lower cost.

​We can’t wait to welcome you to Palm Desert, California. It’s more than a conference—it’s a movement. See you soon.