Weekly Watch: August 29, 2025

Your weekly advocacy update: Stay informed, take action, and champion the voice of America’s defense credit unions!

DCUC continues to lead on behalf of its members and with our Strategic Partners with strong, timely advocacy across multiple fronts.

We are responding swiftly to challenges while championing opportunities that strengthen credit unions and their members. From defending the industry’s tax status to supporting bipartisan efforts that expand financial inclusion, DCUC is ensuring credit unions remain a vital force for communities nationwide.

We're honored to lead and demonstrate a genuine commitment to uniting the entire industry—associations, leagues, credit unions, and partners—toward shared success.

Stay up to speed as we push forward! Follow along with our weekly announcements here.

Top Priorities This Past Week

• Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO, attended Allied Solutions’ CNC Conference, where DCUC was honored to receive recognition and praise regarding both our efforts and results. Stay tuned for an important announcement!
  

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• CDFI Amendment to FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act: DCUC commended a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators for introducing an amendment to the FY2026 NDAA that would expand and strengthen the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. Read more here.
  
  • DCUC flagged a recent op-ed that mischaracterized credit unions as “tax grifters” and questioned their eligibility for CDFI support, providing a prompt industry response when the article broke last Friday. See DCUC's statement here.

• Puerto Rico SB 675: DCUC recently opposed this bill, which would exclude taxes and gratuities from interchange fee calculations—we believe it undermines safe, convenient, and affordable payment systems. Read more here.

• DCUC sent a letter supporting the Hagerty–Alsobrooks effort to modernize coverage for business transaction accounts. DCUC supports raising coverage, ensuring parity for credit unions, and pairing reform with lifting the Member Business Lending cap—especially for veteran-owned businesses. Read more here.
  

• Earlier this week, DCUC sent a letter to House Financial Services Committee leaders Rep. French Hill and Rep. Andy Barr, urging updates to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) to reflect today’s digital financial landscape. Read more here.

• DCUC applauds recent steps taken by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in addressing the growing crisis of “debanking” in America. Read more here. 
  • This week, the SBA instructed more than 5,000 lenders to end debanking practices based on political, religious, or ideological grounds, carrying out President Donald Trump’s Executive Order, “Guaranteeing Free and Fair Banking for All Americans.”

​2025 CU Times Luminaries Awards Finalists Announced

"Congratulations to Jason Stverak on being named a Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards Finalist! There are two things that matter for executive leadership: Action and Results. Jason leads in both," said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO.

There are also many Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) member credit unions and CEOs on the list. Makes me proud to serve with these leaders!"

See the full announcement here.

Advocacy Discussions
Jason Stverak: Lobbyist, Outdoorsman, and Commandant, featured by The Credit Union Connection
 
"It’s critical to grasp how data and personal impact stories work together. [And] leaders must be fluent in industry threats...it’s about empowering others to speak with clarity and confidence. I’ve learned that real leadership is about building coalitions, encouraging principled dissent, and creating an environment where mission-driven people thrive. Especially in advocacy, influence is often won quietly and collaboratively."
 
Read the full article here.

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DCUC to Congress: Pass the CLF Enhancement Act, featured by Tyfone
 
"When a financial crisis hits, Wall Street isn’t the one keeping the lights on in small towns, on military bases, or in underserved neighborhoods – local credit unions are.
 
These community-based, member-owned institutions serve 142 million Americans, including military families and rural communities often overlooked by big banks. But today, the emergency liquidity safety net that credit unions rely on has a dangerous gaping hole.
 
Congress can fix this immediately, at no cost to taxpayers, by passing the bipartisan NCUA Central Liquidity Facility Enhancements Act (S. 2545), introduced by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). This is a rare chance for lawmakers to come together across party lines to protect working families’ financial security, and it must not be squandered."
 
Read the full article here.

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Credit Unions Urged To Step Up As Guard Troops In D.C. Face Possible Pay Delays, featured by CUToday
 
With National Guard troops mobilized to patrol the streets of the nation’s capital, credit unions—particularly those serving military communities—are being reminded of their vital role in supporting service members and their families during uncertain times.
 
“If there are concerns about Guardsmen getting paid on time, credit unions—whether defense-focused or not—have an opportunity and responsibility to step in,” Hernandez told CUToday.info
 
Beyond statutory obligations, Hernandez pointed to a range of voluntary programs that credit unions can offer to Guard troops and their families...
 
Read the full article here.

GOVT SHUTDOWN RESOURCE CENTER

NEW TIME! DCUC Weekly Press Call

Beginning Tuesday, September 2, 2025, DCUC will shift its weekly press calls to 9:30 A.M. EST. All subsequent press calls will be held every Monday at 9:30 AM EST.

These calls are designed to offer press insight into DCUC's efforts as the industry’s only trusted resource for credit unions on all military and veteran matters, plus broad industry priorities. 

We deeply value the time, commitment, and dedication of our media partners in helping to advance transparency and understanding of our advocacy efforts, while also amplifying the collective voice of the credit union industry. 

DCUC looks forward to sharing more about our member credit unions' impact, both with the press and in our ALERT monthly magazine (see this month's Special Edition ALERT).

We look forward to bringing new opportunities for our members to share their voice and shape the overall public's recognition and support of the credit union mission.