DakCU Board Issues Proclamation

​The board has unanimously approved a proclamation for establishment of America’s Credit Unions, combining CUNA and NAFCU into one united organization. 

       Proclamation of Support for Establishment of America’s Credit Unions
On August 30, 2023, the Dakota Credit Union Association Board of Directors (Board) attained a position of unanimous support for the proposed merger of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) into a new, combined organization moving forward as America’s Credit Unions. The Board firmly believes that the strategic long-term benefits of the proposed merger will have a positive impact on Dakota credit unions and the credit union system.

Whereas:

• This merger is in the best interest of the entire credit union industry. Creating a combined, unified organization with strategic alignment, greater efficiencies and streamlined member engagement will directly benefit Dakota credit unions and the credit union system.
• This merger will result in greater unity and cooperation across the evolving U.S. credit union movement.
• This merger will achieve the optimal position of a more powerful, aggregated voice for national credit union policy formation and representation.
• This merger will create the highest potential for unified and fortified credit union advocacy of national impact for all credit unions.
• This merger will diminish system duplication and redundancy as well as competition for the effective three-tiered credit union system which includes the national association, state leagues, and state and federally chartered credit unions.
• This merger will result in the aggregation of financial assets and talent needed to protect and advance the movement nationally.
• This merger will produce long-term economic efficiencies for credit unions in funding an empowered, robust national trade association positioned for collective success.

The Dakota Credit Union Association Board of Directors supports the following value proposition and principles necessary to system-wide, collaborative success with America’s Credit Unions:

• America’s Credit Unions must honor the diverse nature of credit unions across the U.S. to represent and support all credit unions.
• America’s Credit Unions must establish and sustain legislative and regulatory advocacy as its leading value proposition to all credit unions.
• America’s Credit Unions must enrich a culture of interdependence across the three-tiered credit union system, emphasizing the power of unity, advocacy, and support through the national association, state leagues, and state and federally chartered credit unions.
• America’s Credit Unions must manifest full commitment in legislative and regulatory policy action to the strategic benefits of interplay and competition between the state and federal credit union ecosystems.

The Dakota Credit Union Association Board of Directors proactively believe in:

• Fulfilling the Dakota Credit Union Association’s purpose and vision statement to be an independent, indispensable, thriving state trade association focused on remaining relevant and increasing market share, securing industry sustainability, and promoting credit union awareness so more Dakotans choose credit unions as their best financial partner.
• Respecting the independent nature of individual credit unions and their diverse perspectives.
• Acknowledging individual credit union choice on affirming the CUNA-NAFCU merger.
• Encouraging full CUNA and NAFCU member participation in the governance process.

The Dakota Credit Union Association Board of Directors unitedly affirm:

• This proposed merger’s benefits strategically align with what is best for all credit unions and their members.
• Broad appreciation for the visionary and collaborative leadership from the CUNA and NAFCU boards of directors to evolve the U.S. credit union movement.
• Utmost confidence in the proposed America’s Credit Unions’ promise and impact for all credit unions.