The President's Perspective

​DakCU is embracing the new year as we continue our mission to help our members succeed through advocacy, education, and resources. 

Happy New Year and many blessings to you for 2024! This is a historical time in our industry as the two national associations, CUNA and NAFCU, merge to form one united voice: America’s Credit Unions. We are excited about our future and working toward our goals of advancing the communities we serve. The transformation will undoubtedly provide our industry with a stronger, more unified voice on both the state and national level. Dakota credit unions can expect a message from America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle today, Jan. 2, detailing resources and contact information. Our new national association is committed to providing uninterrupted services as the transformation progresses throughout 2024, and will be fully operational by 2025. As always, do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding these changes.

DakCU embracing the new year.
As we hit the ground running in 2024, the Dakota Credit Union Association’s primary objective remains simple: We are here to help our members succeed. We do that by providing 360-degree advocacy leadership, regulatory support, education, and trusted business solutions and resources to our affiliates.

Your association team is committed to protecting Dakota credit unions from harmful legislative and regulatory threats, creating credit union awareness, and securing industry sustainability. We focus on these priority pillars so that our credit unions can focus on serving their members.

As an engaged member of DakCU, you are entitled to many dues-supported benefits that enhance your relationships with your own members. We continue to review and expand our value-added offerings to meet the evolving needs of our credit unions. We provide the tools, partners, resources, and access to proven business solutions that can help your credit union continue to succeed. I encourage you to review all that DakCU has to offer in service to your members, and the many benefits of membership. If you haven’t seen this year’s “Membership Matters” brochure that was mailed in December, you can find a digital version here.

On the heels of our multiple advocacy successes last year, we anticipate a jam-packed year ahead, starting next week when the South Dakota legislators convene in Pierre, and leading all the way to the November elections. As always, we will continue working to educate our policymakers, promoting credit unions as a better financial choice for families and our communities.

Finally, as we continue to adapt to financial service disruptors and industry trends, we are once again hosting many exceptional educational conferences and opportunities in 2024. Some of these are coming up very soon – so be sure to check out our events section at dakcu.org for details.

Otsuka confirmed to NCUA Board.
Just prior to the Christmas break, the U.S. Senate confirmed Tanya Otsuka to the NCUA Board by a voice vote on December 21st. She will replace Board Member Rodney Hood, whose term expired in August, and will be the first Asian American to serve on the NCUA Board. Her term will run through Aug. 2, 2029. Otsuka, who most recently served as senior counsel for the majority staff of the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee under Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), was nominated to the NCUA Board by President Biden on Sept. 21 and testified before the Committee at her confirmation hearing back on Oct. 19.

CU industry receives CMN Hospitals Founders Award.
I am thrilled to share that Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals had a record-breaking year of fundraising in 2023, thanks to corporate partners like credit unions. Because of our generous financial contributions, the credit union industry has received the prestigious Founders Award from CMN Hospitals, which was announced at December’s AACUL winter meetings.

Dakota credit unions have a long history of supporting our three CMN Hospitals: Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo and Sioux Falls, and Monument Health in Rapid City. Credit unions do amazing things – especially when we work together toward a common goal. You have the power to help children’s hospitals! If you would like to become more involved with your local hospital, you can find many ideas here, or contact Shawn Brummer on our staff.

SD Credit Union Day at the Capitol.
South Dakota Credit Union Legislative Day at the State Capitol is just three short weeks away! On Wednesday, January 24th, our team at DakCU will be hosting this one-day event in Pierre. This is your chance to meet legislators, learn more about the history of South Dakota, promote our credit unions’ efforts to lawmakers, and engage with our new advocacy team members, John Alexander and Chesney Garnos. As always, this is a free event, but we do ask you to register in advance so we can plan accordingly.  

Here’s hoping you have a happy and blessed 2024!

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DakCU President/CEO