Stronger Together: Advocating for the Credit Union Difference Before we dive into this week’s important regulatory updates, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our Dakota credit union leaders who have stepped up and added their names to our congressional sign-on letter in support of preserving the credit union tax exemption. Your commitment to standing up for our unique cooperative structure—a structure that has helped credit unions support members and communities for more than 90 years—is exactly the kind of leadership that keeps the credit union difference strong. We will be hand-delivering our sign-on letter to members of Congress during the Easter recess, ensuring our message is heard directly and personally. And speaking of impactful advocacy, we’re thrilled to share a major advocacy milestone: Senate Majority Leader John Thune has voiced his support for our movement! A huge shoutout to our very own Chesney Garnos, DakCU’s Executive Director of Government Affairs, who met with Senator Thune and staff member Ben Ready this week in Sioux Falls. Their conversation covered a wide range of timely federal issues including tariffs, tax reform, AI regulations, childcare, and—critically—the credit union tax status and other policy priorities that directly affect our members. This kind of direct engagement is essential to keeping credit union voices at the center of national policy conversations. Thank you, Chesney, for your outstanding leadership on the Hill! Thank you all for your leadership, your advocacy, and for continuing to be the voice of our movement. Strong Advocacy, Steady Leadership: Navigating NCUA Changes Together Last week's unexpected news of the removal of NCUA Board Chairman Todd Harper and Board Member Tanya Otsuka by the Administration marks a pivotal moment for our industry. This development raises important questions about the future direction of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)—our industry’s primary regulator—and what this transition could mean for credit unions nationwide. While the Federal Credit Union Act allows the NCUA to continue essential supervisory and examination duties, no new actions can be implemented without at least two board members. This situation underscores the significance of having strong, credit union-focused leadership at the helm of our regulatory agency. At the DakCU, we are actively engaged and on alert. We’re working closely with America’s Credit Unions, the NCUA, and key members of our congressional delegation—including Senators Mike Rounds (SD) and Kevin Cramer (ND), both serving on the Senate Banking Committee, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune—to ensure that the next steps taken by the Administration reflect the unique mission and needs of credit unions and the 142 million Americans we serve. A Time for Vigilance—and Opportunity While leadership transitions can bring uncertainty, they also present a chance to reaffirm our core principles. The DakCU continues to advocate for regulatory oversight that is balanced, fair, transparent, and fiscally responsible. We have long believed that NCUA’s policies—from staffing and travel to technology investment—must be guided by accountability and cost-efficiency. We’re also closely monitoring potential structural reforms being discussed by the Administration, including possible agency consolidations. While we welcome discussions that promote efficiency, we remain firm in our belief: credit unions deserve an independent regulator—one that understands the difference between shareholder-driven institutions and member-owned cooperatives. Now more than ever, our collective advocacy matters. We urge you to stay connected and engaged. America’s Credit Unions has compiled a helpful FAQ resource to address some of the immediate questions. And while we may not have all the answers yet, what we do have is a united, passionate credit union movement ready to meet this challenge with strength and purpose. Let’s Reconnect at the 2025 Summit – May 12–14 in Fargo! We can’t wait to see you in Fargo this May for our 2025 Annual Summit! With a refreshed three-day format at the Delta Hotel, you’ll experience dynamic speakers, engaging content, and valuable networking tailored for today’s credit union leaders and volunteers. Sessions will focus on:
Don't forget the awards banquet, golf outing, and exceptional keynote addresses—we promise you’ll leave energized and inspired! Important lodging note: Our room block at the Delta Hotel is full. We recommend you:
Help Us Kick Off the Summit at the GAC Recognition & Fundraising Event Join us Monday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Delta Hotel as the South Dakota and North Dakota Governmental Affairs Committees host a combined recognition and fundraising event for our CU advocates. Who’s invited? All contributors—via payroll deduction, direct donation, or CU Advocate sweepstakes ($24/year)—are on the guest list. Not yet on the list? No problem! Donate $24 at the door and join the celebration. Celebrating Impact: CU4Kids & Industry Recognition Sanford Health Ribbon Cutting – Micropreemie Unit Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 15. Sanford Health will celebrate the opening of its new Credit Union for Kids Micropreemie Unit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception starting at 8:00 a.m. Credit unions that contributed to this incredible initiative have been invited—please RSVP to confirm your attendance. Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of the region’s tiniest patients. Voyage FCU Shines with Diamond Award Recognition A big congratulations to Voyage FCU, honored with a 2025 Diamond Award and taking home Category’s Best in Content Marketing for their podcast, Tips for Change. This recognition reflects a powerful commitment to delivering relevant, meaningful content that supports members’ financial journeys. Well done! Together, We Lead As we continue navigating this regulatory crossroads, we want you to know that the Dakota Credit Union Association remains steadfast in our mission: to advocate, support, and empower our credit unions and the people they serve. Thank you for your leadership, your partnership, and your belief in the credit union difference.  DakCU President/CEO
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