The President's Perspective

​Dakota credit unions remain united in advocating against unfair taxation, strengthening their mission, and preparing for key industry events.

Once again, the bankers are attempting to pit our industry against itself by drawing a false line between “big” and “small” credit unions. This divisive storyline, as pushed in an American Banker article last Thursday, simply doesn’t hold water. Our strength lies in our shared member-first mission and our cooperative structure—not in the size of our institution.
 
Across the Dakotas, we are united. As members of Congress take a break from their local duties, credit unions in our region need to keep the momentum going, showing decisively that our approach is the antithesis of profit-driven banking. Back home and on Capitol Hill, our unified voice is louder than ever, making it clear that tax reforms targeting credit unions are not only misguided, but they are also a direct attack on the financial well-being of our communities.
​
Your ongoing direct outreach to policymakers is essential. You’re sending a strong message: the credit union tax exemption is one of the smartest public policy investments we have. Since launching our grassroots action alert, nearly 150,000 “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” messages have been delivered. This is a powerful start, but we must keep pushing until every voice in our community is heard.
 
With Congress set to return to Washington next week and tax reform as their top priority, now is the time to act. House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., has made it clear that a tax bill is a top agenda item, and we cannot let our members—families and communities who have long been underserved by traditional banks—shoulder an unwarranted tax burden.
 
If you haven’t yet, please mobilize your members. Encourage them to tell our elected officials “No” to a tax increase that would target the very people who put their trust in us, the same people who have been neglected by for-profit banks. You can act here at Don't Tax My Credit Union. Please share this link with your team, volunteers and please do share with your passionate CU members.
 
Alloya’s Members Support “Don’t Tax my Credit Union”
​Alloya Corporate Credit Union has been a longstanding and valued partner of the Dakota Credit Union Association, supporting member credit unions, the Foundation, and leadership development through sponsorship and engagement. Their commitment to the credit union movement is evident once again with a generous donation to further advocacy efforts, including the ongoing “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” campaign. You can read more here.
 
Dakota CEO Town Hall Tuesday - April 1, 3 PM CT / 2 PM MT
Make plans to join our Dakota CEO Town Hall Tuesday, April 1st at 3 PM CT/2 PM MT. Dakota Credit Union leaders should invite the meeting and link in your email inbox. Please reach out if you   We have invited Greg Mesack, SVP of Advocacy from America’s Credit Unions to join us and provide an update on our efforts. If you need the Town Hall virtual meeting link, please let me know at [email protected] and I’ll send it you directly.
​
Thank you for your tireless commitment to keeping Dakota’s credit unions strong and true to their mission.
 
Fort Randall FCU is Why Credit Unions Deserve their Tax-Exempt Status
Check out this blog post featuring Joe Brancucci, CU Results EVP, CU Strategic Planning. Joe reminds us that every credit union can make a difference as a Community Development Financial Institution. In his insightful article, he highlights how credit unions like the $42.7 million Fort Randall Federal Credit Union are serving critical needs in communities such as Wagner, SD—underscoring that it's our commitment to financial health and impact that secures our tax exemption. Don't miss his expert perspective on how doing the work we were created to do keeps credit unions strong and relevant for those underserved.
 
Welcome Back Kelli Neigum!
We're excited to announce the newest addition to our team: Kelli Neigum has joined the Dakota Credit Union Association as our Executive Office Administrator. Many of you may already be familiar with Kelli's impressive track record, having previously served with the North Dakota Credit Union League and Midwest Corporate Federal Credit Union right here in Bismarck. Her experience also spans roles at Capital Credit Union as well as other financial institutions and the ND Association of counties, making her a well-known and trusted figure in our community.
 
In her new senior-level administrative capacity, Kelli’s role will be instrumental in supporting our executive team and key stakeholders. She will work tirelessly to maximize our operational efficiencies and help us achieve our strategic objectives assuring that our mission to serve the credit union community is advanced at every step.
 
We are thrilled to welcome Kelli back to the League. She brings a wealth of experience in the financial services industry, having previously worked with the North Dakota Credit Union League and Midwest Corporate Federal Credit Union, as well as most recently with Bravera Bank. Kelli’s deep understanding of the credit union movement, coupled with her extensive financial services expertise, makes her a tremendous asset to our team and the credit unions we serve.
 
Please join us in welcoming Kelli to the Dakota Credit Union Association. We look forward to her contributions as we continue to strengthen the credit union movement across the region.
 
Summit Registration is going Strong. Reserve your spot and lodging
Reminder to register for the 2025 Summit. Join us May 12 – 14 as we head back to the Delta Hotel in Fargo. For 2025, we’re thrilled to, once again, offer a revised three-day format that promises even more value and flexibility. You do not want to miss the incredible lineup of speakers that we have engaged for you, with areas of expertise ranging from credit union economics, volunteer, and board of directors training to marketing and leadership development. We will also be offering a golf outing, our popular awards banquet, and of course, our annual business meeting. The early bird discount saves each person $50 and is good through April 18. Find all the finer details, lodging information, and registration here.
 
Coffee, Bagels, and Credit Unions
Congratulations to Railway Credit Union on your partnership Dunn Brothers Coffee shop at your new Southeast Bismarck Branch. Work will commence immediately, and they are hopeful they will be open and operating by June 2025. I can smell the coffee already!

Have a terrific week!

​DakCU President/CEO