Hike the Hill Highlights

Dakota Credit Union leaders advocate on Capitol Hill during the 14th Annual Legislative and Regulatory Hike the Hill. 

Jeff Olson, president/CEO, Dakota Credit Union Association

Last week, leaders from the Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) along with representatives from First Community Credit Union, Capital Credit Union, University FCU, Western Cooperative Credit Union, Town and Country Credit Union, North Star Community Credit Union, Fargo VA FCU, Oahe FCU, East River FCU, Service First FCU, Levo, Northern Hills FCU, Black Hills FCU, Dakotaland FCU, Voyage FCU, Highmark Credit Union, and Explorers Credit Union, traveled to Washington, D.C. for the 14th Annual Legislative and Regulatory Hike the Hill, where they met with the North Dakota congressional delegation to champion the priorities and values of credit unions across the Dakotas.

The visit provided a powerful platform for Dakota credit union leaders to amplify the cooperative difference, emphasize their commitment to consumer protection, financial access, and community well-being, and advocate for common sense legislative solutions that enable credit unions to continue serving their 520,000 members in North and South Dakota. 

​Building Relationships and Setting the Stage
Each meeting began with introductions to the Dakota Credit Union Association team and credit union leaders in attendance. We expressed sincere gratitude to the delegation for their continued support and partnership, underscoring the critical role credit unions play in strengthening local economies, empowering consumers, and sustaining rural communities.
 
Safeguarding Consumer Privacy: Support for the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act
DakCU leaders thanked our lawmakers for supporting the Home Privacy Act (S. 3502 and H.R. 7297)—bipartisan legislation that would stop the abusive practice of “trigger leads” unless a consumer explicitly opts in.

Under current law, when a consumer applies for a mortgage, their private data can be sold as a “trigger lead” to multiple lenders—often resulting in a flood of unsolicited offers, confusion, and potential scams at a time when consumers are most vulnerable. This bill would give consumers more control over their personal information, allowing only approved parties to be notified if the consumer chooses to opt in.

“Credit unions strongly support the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act because it protects members’ private data, enhances trust, and aligns with our commitment to secure, ethical, and member-focused financial services,” DakCU leaders told lawmakers.

The president signed the bill into law yesterday!
 
Protecting Consumers from Harmful Policies: Credit Card Competition Act
In addition to opposing the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) legislation, Dakota leaders also raised concerns about the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), emphasizing the need to keep it out of both the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and any continuing resolution.

We highlighted how the CCCA would reduce access to affordable credit, increase costs, and compromise payment security, ultimately hurting consumers and small financial institutions.

Ensuring Liquidity in Times of Crisis: CLF Bill
A top priority for DakCU was supporting the bipartisan Central Liquidity Facility (CLF) bill, co-sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer. We stressed how the CLF serves as a critical backstop, giving credit unions access to emergency liquidity during financial market disruptions.

“When credit unions are stable, communities are stable. The CLF ensures we can serve members even in times of uncertainty,” our advocates explained.

Expanding Student Loan Options: Affordable Future Loan Program Act
DakCU leaders also engaged Senator Mike Rounds in discussions about his Affordable Future Loan Program Act, a bill that would create a private-sector–driven student loan option to complement federal loans.

The proposal would eliminate interest accrual while students are in school and offer manageable repayment plans backed by strong consumer protections. This would make higher education more accessible for Dakota families while empowering local credit unions to meet members’ evolving financial needs.

“This program offers hope for middle-class families who need another option to bridge the gap between aid packages and actual college costs,” said one DakCU advocate.

Supporting Dakota Farmers: A Call from Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak
DakCU leaders also welcomed remarks from Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, who drew attention to the difficult conditions facing Dakota farmers and ranchers.

She urged ag-lending credit unions to work closely with local producers as they navigate low commodity prices, high tariffs, and the ongoing absence of new trade deal factors that are straining family operations across the region. “Our family farmers are the backbone of our rural economy,” Fedorchak said. “They need strong local financial partners who understand their operations and will stand with them. Credit unions can and should be part of that solution.”

Her comments underscored the essential role credit unions play in sustaining rural communities, both as lenders and as long-term financial partners who understand the unique cycles of agriculture.

Opposing Harmful Overreach: Protecting Credit Unions Under EFTA
DakCU also urged the delegation to oppose S. 4943 and H.R. 9303, legislation that would significantly expand credit unions’ liability under the EFTA.

Although the bill is framed as consumer-friendly, its provisions would be harmful and impractical, redefining “unauthorized transfers” to include fraudulently induced payments, merchant disputes, and misdirected payments, and requiring credit unions to reimburse consumers in all these scenarios—even when the credit union had no fault.
The bill would also remove EFTA’s current carveout for wire transfers, applying the same error-resolution framework and reimbursement obligations to remittance transfers.

“While we are deeply committed to protecting our members from fraud, this legislation would expose credit unions to unmanageable financial liability, operational burdens, and higher fraud risk—costs that would ultimately be passed along to the very consumers it intends to protect,” DakCU advocates explained.

A Strong Voice for Dakota Credit Unions
Throughout our time on Capitol Hill, one message rang clear: credit unions are trusted financial partners and powerful advocates for the communities they serve.

By engaging directly with Senators Kevin Cramer and Mike Rounds and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, Dakota credit union leaders advanced a legislative agenda rooted in consumer protection, financial access, and community growth.

Our voices were heard—and our commitment to building stronger Dakota communities remains stronger than ever.