 Your weekly advocacy update: Stay informed, take action, and champion the voice of America’s defense credit unions! As you arrive in Washington, D.C. for DCUC's Defense Matters 2025, and America's Credit Unions' annual Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), we thank you for your commitment to serving military members, veterans, and their families. Every year, this serves as a key opportunity to engage with lawmakers and advocate for policies that keep defense credit unions strong and competitive. DCUC has also prepared a resource page with advocacy handouts covering critical issues, including stopping CRA expansion, protecting tax-exempt status, preserving 'One Bank, One Credit Union' on military bases, supporting veteran business lending, opposing harmful interchange legislation, and more! These materials will help strengthen our collective voice on Capitol Hill. Your participation is essential—meet with your representatives, share impact stories, and use DCUC’s advocacy materials to drive meaningful policy change. See my letter for a summary of our advocacy priorities and how you can get involved. Top Priorities This Week DCUC called on both the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship and the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Capital Markets to support the Veterans Member Business Loan Act (VMBLA). This legislation aims to lift the 12.25% cap on member business lending for veteran-owned businesses, allowing credit unions to provide greater access to capital without increasing systemic risk. DCUC emphasized that veterans face higher loan denial rates, limited credit histories, and an over-reliance on personal savings—barriers that hinder business success. By modernizing the Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) Loan Program and exempting veteran business loans from the cap, DCUC believes these reforms would foster job creation, strengthen local economies, and ensure fair and equitable lending. Additionally, DCUC applauded the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee leadership for prioritizing financial stability during the nomination hearings for the incoming Directors of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). DCUC urged lawmakers to ensure that the nominees take a balanced regulatory approach that supports financial institutions serving military and veteran communities. Status of H.R. 975 Credit Union Board Modernization Act "This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Bill Huizenga (MI-4), seeks to amend the Federal Credit Union Act to provide greater flexibility in board meeting requirements, reducing operational burdens while upholding strong governance. We were grateful to see a swift passage through the House and also extend our gratitude to Senators Bill Hagerty and Lisa Blunt Rochester for introducing the Senate companion bill, S.522. Enacting this legislation will enhance financial readiness for military communities and empower credit unions to serve them more effectively." Advocacy Discussions Why Preserving the NCUA's Independence is Critical, Featured on Tyfone Defense credit unions are mission-driven financial institutions that exist solely to serve those who serve our country. Unlike traditional banks, defense credit unions operate on military installations worldwide, providing critical financial services that enhance military readiness, financial security, and overall quality of life for our troops. The independence of the NCUA is fundamental to the continued success of these institutions and, by extension, the readiness of our Armed Forces. Read more here. Join Our Efforts to Preserve the Credit Union Tax Status 📣 Act now! Let’s present a united front to defend our industry and members! DCUC is actively pushing back on these false narratives and tired reasoning; see recent attacks published on the Washington Post, Punchbowl News, and American Banker. Congress needs to hear from you on this issue. Please use this member letter to contact your state Representatives and Senators. We also encourage each of you to prepare and discuss with each of your Leagues. As the new Congress takes shape and budget reconciliation debates intensify on Capitol Hill, we will continue to actively counter these and other banker attacks on our industry and keep you updated as this situation unfolds. DCUC and CUInsight Launch CUInsight Collaborators The Defense Credit Union Council, DCUC, is excited to announce it has partnered with CUInsight to introduce 'CUInsight Collaborators,' a new offering that will bring exclusive, DCUC-specific industry insights, expert perspectives, and valuable resources directly to credit union professionals. Click here to explore DCUC’s Collaborator content and learn more about this initiative.
DCUC's Advocacy Handouts
Download DCUC's 2025 Advocacy Handouts covering our top priorities such as stopping CRA expansion, preserving the credit union tax status, maintaining the “one bank, one credit union” policy on installations, and supporting veterans’ business lending (VMBLA). Your participation is vital—use our resources, share your impact stories, and help ensure defense credit unions remain strong and effective. Comments are closed.
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