Federal Advocacy Update

DakCU’s advocacy team works to protect Dakota credit unions promoting supportive legislation and preventing costly regulations.

By the DakCU Advocacy Team

At the Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU), we remain fully engaged in federal advocacy efforts to advance pro-credit union legislation while protecting against harmful proposals. Working in close partnership with America’s Credit Unions, we are focused on ensuring that the voices of Dakota credit unions and the more than 520,000 members they serve across North and South Dakota are heard in Washington.

NDAA Priorities: Advancing Pro-Credit Union Bills
As Congress continues its work on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), several key credit union priorities remain front and center:

• Veterans Member Business Lending Bill (S. 110, H.R. 507): Expands opportunities for veterans to access credit union small business lending.
• Loan Maturity Extension (H.R. 4167): Extends maturity limits for most loans, giving credit unions flexibility to better serve members.
• CDFI Fund Improvements (S. 1880): Strengthens the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund to expand access to capital in underserved communities.

At the same time, preventing inclusion of the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) in the NDAA remains a top priority. This legislation would harm consumers and small financial institutions by undermining the current interchange system, ultimately raising costs for Dakota credit unions and their members.

Our advocacy team alongside our partners at America’s Credit Unions has been meeting directly with House and Senate leadership staff to highlight both the benefits of these pro-credit union bills and the dangers of the CCCA. To date, Senators Durbin and Marshall have not filed CCCA as an amendment, and the House Rules Committee has set an August 28 deadline for members to file NDAA amendments. We will continue to closely monitor developments and engage with policymakers.

In-District Engagement: Showcasing Credit Union Impact
Congress’ August recess provides a critical window for credit unions to connect with lawmakers in their home districts. Here in the Dakotas we have attended or participated in several in-district events and activities.
We encourage you to continue sharing your photos, stories, and media engagement, whether through op-eds, local press coverage, or social channels. These grassroots stories help us build momentum in Washington and show the real-life impact of Dakota credit unions.

For additional tools, America’s Credit Unions has made new in-district engagement resources available through their Advocacy Resource Library. These materials can help guide conversations and amplify you and your credit union team’s messaging. You can find it here.

This Week’s Advocacy Wrap-Up
Here’s a snapshot of recent joint advocacy efforts from DakCU and America’s Credit Unions:

Congressional Action

• Pushing for Federal Privacy Legislation Exemption:
  America’s Credit Unions joined other financial services trade associations in a letter to House Energy & Commerce Committee leaders urging that any federal privacy framework should include an entity-level exemption for financial institutions already covered by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The letter highlighted the escalating compliance burdens stemming from a patchwork of state privacy laws a concern Dakota credit unions share as they strive to serve members efficiently without costly duplicative requirements.

​Regulatory Action

• Shaping NCUA’s Strategic Plan & Budget:
  In response to NCUA’s request for input, the Dakota Credit Union Association along with America’s Credit Unions submitted comments advocating for a modernized, forward-looking approach to supervision—including shifting exam focus to higher-risk or complex credit unions, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and addressing the agency’s budget growth amid industry consolidation. These positions align with DakCU’s ongoing call for regulation that supports innovation, efficiency, and member access rather than unnecessary burden.
• Improving NCUA Call Report:
  America’s Credit Unions also submitted recommendations urging that any modernization of the NCUA call report focus on quality data and comparability, while reducing reporting burdens. Based on member feedback, including from DakCU affiliates, the comments emphasized the need for interagency coordination, streamlined certification and financial statement pages, and a transparent rollout process.

Why It Matters for Dakota Credit Unions
Every one of these advocacy efforts ties back to what matters most: ensuring Dakota credit unions have the tools, flexibility, and regulatory environment to serve their members and communities effectively. Whether it’s a small rural credit union providing affordable loans to farmers, or a larger institution helping veterans launch small businesses, the federal policy landscape shapes our ability to deliver on the credit union mission.

As always, DakCU will continue working together with America’s Credit Unions, policymakers, and our member credit unions to protect and advance the system that 520,000 Dakotans rely on.

​Stay Connected
Reach out with any questions or for more details to Jeff Olson or John Alexander.​