Off the Record, On the Issues with John

DakCU advocates hit the Hill to protect lending, cards, and credit union governance.

By John Alexander, DakCU Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs

From the Dome to the Dakotas: The Three Asks That Matter
Fresh off yesterday’s Hill meetings, here’s what we pressed—and why it protects lending, cards, and governance back home.
 
On liquidity, we pressed for keeping the Central Liquidity Facility (CLF) enhancements in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) because a stronger CLF is the safety valve that lets credit unions keep lending when markets hiccup. The point is simple: when shocks hit, our shops need fast, reliable access to back-up funding, so members don’t see credit lines pulled, mortgages delayed, or small-business payrolls at risk. The enhancements that proved their worth in recent stress, more workable agent membership, greater borrowing capacity, and quicker access—should be locked in, not left to expire with the next calm spell.
 
On interchange, we asked that the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) stay off the NDAA. Defense policy isn’t the place to staple on a routing mandate, and the mandate itself would drain the very dollars that pay for fraud prevention, card reissuance, dispute resolution, and 24/7-member support. For credit unions, interchange isn’t windfall revenue, it’s the operating fuel that keeps cards safe and affordable. Cut it by statute and you don’t ding Wall Street; you squeeze community institutions and push costs back onto the people we serve.
 
On governance, we thanked our House delegation for advancing the credit union board modernization bill by voice vote and told Senate offices we need a clean, timely path on their side. Modernization updates out-of-date meeting and service requirements so working parents, shift workers, veterans, and rural leaders can realistically serve. Better boards mean better oversight, more diversity, and decisions that reflect the real lives of our members.

Bottom line for our delegation: yes to CLF enhancements in the NDAA to protect local lending during stress; no to the CCCA as an NDAA rider because it undercuts fraud protection and member service; and keep the board modernization bill moving in the Senate to align governance with modern realities. Offices heard the stakes, and we left clear follow-ups to keep each item moving.

ViClarity Q3 2025 Webinar - Building Leadership Resilience: A Step-by-Step Succession Planning Workshop
Sept 24, 2025 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST  
Leadership continuity is a vital component of credit union resilience. With the NCUA’s succession planning rule going into effect January 1, 2026, federally insured credit unions must adopt and maintain a formal succession plan covering key leadership positions.
 
This focused town hall workshop will provide practical, step-by-step guidance on building a compliant plan, assessing leadership gaps, preparing for both emergency and planned transitions, and aligning succession with your credit union's long-term strategy. Join us for this session and leave with actionable tools to strengthen your governance and exam-readiness, because strong leadership keeps your mission moving forward — even through change. Register here. 
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Turning Policy into Protection: Partner Spotlight—AffirmX
Back home, delivering on those Hill priorities takes tools that catch risk early and keep compliance tight—here’s where AffirmX helps us turn policy into daily protection for members.
 
AffirmX is a cloud-based risk intelligence and compliance software platform, also offering services from experienced analysts, that help credit unions manage regulatory compliance and reduce risk. The patented platform uses a risk-based approach and a query-driven interface to provide solutions for vendor management, cybersecurity, fair lending, and other areas, aiming to save clients time, money, and resources while improving their alignment with policy, strategy, and regulation.

AffirmX was originally established to help financial institutions stay on top of consumer regulatory compliance requirements. Traditional “boots on the ground” models of consulting are costly in terms of both the utilization of company resources and the time and billing rates of senior consultants and their associated expenses. To solve this problem, AffirmX created a hybrid solution: patented technology plus experienced analysts. Today, AffirmX has become an industry-leading risk management and compliance services provider by presenting clients with the prioritized, relevant and timely information they need to lower the cost of proactive risk management. They provide compliance tools for credit unions and banks that reduce the costs, workloads and anxieties associated with regulatory compliance. With more than 120 credit union clients and scores of association partnerships, AffirmX is a leader in the field of compliance management solutions. For more information, visit AffirmX.com.