 Each year, as I mark another anniversary with the Dakota Credit Union Association, I find myself reflecting not only on how far we’ve come but also on what lies ahead. This month marks 17 years since I joined the credit union movement, and I’m reminded again of how resilient, mission-driven, and transformative this movement truly is. When I started in 2007, I was just getting up to speed on the issues defining our industry. Within a year, the financial world was turned upside down. The fall of 2008 brought the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, triggered by a perfect storm of subprime mortgage lending, unchecked risk-taking by Wall Street, and a lack of regulatory oversight. The collapse of Lehman Brothers, the freezing of global credit markets, and the unraveling of the housing market exposed systemic vulnerabilities. While credit unions weren’t the cause, we were certainly impacted—particularly through the collapse of several corporate credit unions, which had served as essential liquidity and investment vehicles. In response, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act sweeping overhaul that, while well-intended, created compliance burdens for community-based financial institutions. Key provisions included:
As a result, consolidation became the norm. In 2008, the Dakotas had 102 credit unions. By 2015, we had 78. Today, we stand at 62 a nearly 40% decline in the number of institutions. Yet those that remain are serving more members than ever, proving the power and persistence of our model. But through every challenge, we stood firm and leaned in.
All of this reflects a deeper truth: Our advocacy isn’t about institutions—it’s about people. These efforts translated into greater access to credit for underserved members, stronger financial safety nets in rural areas, and increased trust and satisfaction among consumers who know their credit union is on their side. Stewardship in Action: A Decade of Sustainable Growth – (July 1, 2015 to June 30th, 2025).
Looking Forward: Defining Year 18 and Beyond While I’m proud of our past, I’m even more energized about what’s next. Our 2025 strategic planning session affirmed five strategic imperatives for the next three to five years:
Anticipating and Addressing Emerging Risks We are also monitoring critical shifts in the financial landscape:
DakCU is positioning itself as a proactive leader—not just reacting to these changes but shaping them in a way that protects our values and strengthens our impact. Thank you for 17 incredible years. Here’s to what comes next. Senator Cramer Pushes CLF Reforms to Protect Small Credit Unions and Members U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), along with Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), has introduced the NCUA Central Liquidity Facility Enhancements Act—a bipartisan bill that would permanently reinstate key enhancements made to the CLF during the COVID-19 crisis. These reforms proved to be essential when credit unions across the country, and especially in rural areas, faced extreme liquidity pressures. The temporary provisions allowed corporate credit unions to serve as agent members, expanding access to thousands of smaller credit unions that otherwise wouldn’t have the means to participate. It was a practical and effective model: CLF membership jumped from under 300 credit unions to more than 4,100 at the height of the pandemic. We are grateful to Senator Cramer for his leadership in reintroducing this important legislation and for continuing to stand up for rural North Dakota. His efforts reflect a deep understanding of the challenges and the importance of our credit unions and the members they serve. We urge the rest of North Dakota’s congressional delegation to join him in supporting the CLF Enhancements Act. Doing so will send a strong message: Congress supports financial stability, rural communities, and the cooperative model that keeps people at the center of financial services. You can read our op-ed thanking Senator Cramer here. Sharpening Our Voice, Honoring Our People, and Celebrating Success As we move into the final stretch of summer, I want to take a moment to highlight several important updates, opportunities, and reflections that remind us why the credit union movement is so impactful—because of the people behind it. Last Call! Earn Your Advocacy Badge: Advocacy 101 Workshop – August 12 in Fargo Credit union advocacy starts at home—and we’re inviting you to strengthen your voice at our free Advocacy 101 Workshop on Tuesday, August 12, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Delta Hotel in Fargo. Led by Austin DeBey from the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, this interactive pre-Professionals Forum session will equip you with messaging strategies, storytelling techniques, and tools to become a stronger advocate. Plus, be among the first to receive our brand-new DakCU Advocate pin! Registration includes both sessions and closes Thursday, August 7—sign up today here! New Ideas Conference: Registration Now Open! Looking ahead, I’m excited to share that registration is now open for our always-popular New Ideas Conference, returning to Deadwood on October 14–15. Set in the heart of this historic town, the event is more than just a conference—it’s a two-day immersion into fresh thinking, innovation, and real-world strategies that you can take back to your credit union. This year’s agenda will feature engaging keynotes, peer learning sessions, and hands-on tools designed to elevate performance, leadership, and member impact. Whether you’re in operations, marketing, lending, or leadership, New Ideas offers something for everyone looking to grow. Be sure to take advantage of our early bird discount available through September 4. Full event and speaker details can be found here. A Moment of Reflection: Honoring Our Dakota Credit Union Family It’s been a difficult week for our DakCU family, as we mourn the loss of two individuals who touched the lives of many in our movement. We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Stillwell, beloved husband of Melanie Stillwell, the recently retired CEO of Western Cooperative Credit Union in Williston. Bill was a steady and supportive presence throughout Melanie’s career and within the Williston community. We also grieve the tragic death of John Landsiedel, son of Jay and Denise Landsiedel of Minot. John perished in a tragic plane crash on July 25 in Dillingham, Alaska, where he was living and working as a wildlife biologist. Jay, who many of you know, served for years as EVP and CFO at Town & Country Credit Union in Minot. Please keep both families in your thoughts and prayers during this time of profound loss. Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to First Community Credit Union On a brighter note, I want to give a well-deserved shoutout to First Community Credit Union for once again being named one of the Top 10 Young Professional Workplaces by the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network—marking the seventh consecutive year FCCU has earned this distinction! This recognition is a powerful testament to FCCU’s commitment to fostering a vibrant workplace culture, supporting personal and professional development, and investing in the future of our industry. Congratulations to the entire team at FCCU—you are setting the standard for what it means to be a purpose-driven employer! Whether we’re building stronger advocacy muscles, gathering to exchange bold ideas, or pausing to reflect on the lives and legacies of those we’ve lost, we are reminded of the strength of our cooperative spirit. Let’s carry that spirit forward, with purpose and passion, in everything we do. Until next time,  DakCU President/CEO
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