The President's Perspective

Fall sparks momentum for Dakota credit unions through advocacy, education, and collaboration.

Greetings, Friends—Welcome to Fall
There’s a crispness in the air, football stadiums are alive with Friday night lights, and yes it’s officially pumpkin spice season. Across the Dakotas, the foliage is starting to turn, reminding us once again that fall is a season of both reflection and renewal.
 
For me, fall always carries a sense of momentum. It’s a time when we gather with our members, lean into advocacy, and prepare for a strong close to the year. And this year, that momentum was on full display in Bismarck.
 
I’m looking forward to connecting with many of our credit union leaders as our fall education calendar hits full stride this week with our Small Credit Union Roundtable meeting in Watertown yesterday and today.
 
Conversations That Matter
Over the weekend, I attended a remarkable event with Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak, Governor Armstrong, and Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio. Congressman Jordan shared a very personal story, his late father was a longtime credit union member back home in Ohio. That connection resonated deeply. It was a poignant reminder that credit unions aren’t abstract institutions; they are trusted financial partners woven into the lives of hardworking families.
 
The conversation in Bismarck centered on the issues shaping both North Dakota and our nation: economic growth, regulatory balance, and ensuring that consumers continue to have real financial choice. It was an honor to highlight the role credit unions play in driving opportunity, protecting members, and strengthening communities.

---

​Fighting Fraud: Protecting Members, Protecting Communities
When our Dakota Credit Union Advocates walked the halls of Capitol Hill this past month, one issue kept coming up in nearly every meeting: fraud. For Dakota credit unions, this isn’t just another compliance box to check, it’s a daily battle with real consequences for members and communities.
 
Fraud is hurting people. Families are losing their savings, seniors are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated scams, and the costs to credit unions especially our smaller, rural institutions, are crushing. At the national level, financial institutions lost more than $127 billion to fraud in 2023, while consumers themselves were directly hit with $11.3 billion in losses. Those numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent neighbors, co-workers, and community members who trusted their local financial institution to help safeguard their financial well-being.
 
For Dakota credit unions, the impact is particularly acute. With leaner staffing models and community-focused operations, absorbing fraud losses often means hard choices, less capital for innovation, reduced margins, and added strain on service delivery. And while our institutions work tirelessly to protect members, the regulatory and legal framework hasn’t kept pace with the scale and sophistication of modern fraud schemes.
 
That’s why fraud remains front and center in our advocacy agenda. We are committed to advancing solutions that both protect members and strengthen the ability of credit unions to defend against evolving threats. Specifically, we’re urging policymakers and regulators to:

• Facilitate better information sharing both across credit union peer networks and with law enforcement and policymakers—so fraud patterns can be identified and disrupted faster.
• Modernize Regulation CC to directly address check fraud, which remains a costly and persistent threat for credit unions of all sizes.
• Provide legal protection from liability when credit unions act in good faith to protect members from fraudulent transactions or bad actors.
• Tailor fraud prevention guidance so it aligns with the complexity of each institution, ensuring that small, rural credit unions are not overburdened while still maintaining strong consumer protections.

 
These are not abstract requests. They come directly from the front lines of what Dakota credit unions are experiencing every single day. At the recent Compliance and Risk Council Conference in San Antonio, a record number of compliance and risk experts spent days dissecting these challenges and trading solutions, all with a common goal: ensuring members are protected.
 
Fraud is growing every day, and its impacts ripple far beyond dollars lost. It erodes trust in financial institutions, undermines community confidence, and leaves families vulnerable. For credit unions, protecting members isn’t just part of the job, it’s the heart of our mission.
 
That’s why we must remain united and relentless in this fight. Dakota credit unions will continue to advocate for the tools, partnerships, and policies needed to combat fraud. And as your Association, we will keep pushing to ensure that your voice and the voices of the members you serve are heard loud and clear in Washington and in Bismarck and Pierre.
 
Because at the end of the day, fighting fraud is about more than protecting balance sheets. It’s about protecting people. And that’s what credit unions do best.
 
Honoring an Unsung Hero
During the Labor of Love Day in August, the Dakota Credit Union Association made a special donation to the American Credit Union Museum in honor of Marvel Ebenhahn. Her story is now part of the Woven in History: A Tapestry of Unsung Heroes exhibit, where her decades of service and groundbreaking leadership will continue to inspire future generations. Marvel dedicated her life to strengthening her credit union and her community, leaving a legacy that embodies the very heart of the cooperative movement. Read more here.

Dakota Credit Union One-Stop Shop for GAC
Looking ahead, advocacy continues to be front and center. Registration is now open for the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), to be held March 1–5, 2026 in Washington, D.C. To make planning easier, DakCU has created a “One-Stop GAC Shop” on our website. From registration and hotel reservations to scholarship applications, everything you need is just a click away. I strongly encourage you to consider joining us, your voice in Washington truly matters. Save the date and find more here.
 
New Ideas in Historic Deadwood
Change is coming at all of us fast. Sometimes it feels like we’re running just to keep pace. That’s why I’m excited about our upcoming New Ideas Conference, October 14–15 in historic Deadwood, SD. This 1.5-day event is designed to help you reset, recharge, and refocus with innovation, networking, and practical takeaways you can put to work back home.
 
And for our Summit Crashers alumni we have a special offer. If you’ve participated in DakCU’s Summit Crasher program in the past three years, you’re eligible for 50% off registration. Spots are limited and registration closes October 3, so lock in your discount today and keep building on your leadership journey. 
 
Celebrating International Credit Union Day
Another highlight this fall is International Credit Union (ICU) Day, October 16, 2025. This year marks the 77th anniversary of this global celebration under the theme, “Cooperation for a Prosperous World.” Together with more than 82,000 cooperatives serving 403 million members worldwide, Dakota credit unions will pause to honor our movement’s history, celebrate our impact, and recommit to a brighter future for our members and communities.
 
Compliance & Collaboration in Bismarck
Don't forget our all-new DakCU Compliance Conclave, October 20–21 in Bismarck. This event is designed specifically for compliance professionals, featuring timely sessions on emerging risks, fraud prevention, payments innovation, and practical compliance strategies. With meals included and a packed agenda, it promises to deliver the tools and insights you need to stay ahead. Register here by October 10.
 
And while you’re in Bismarck, make plans to stay for the first-ever North Dakota DFI Credit Union Summit, October 22. Hosted by the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions and NASCUS, this gathering will bring regulators, executives, and industry leaders together for meaningful discussions on the future of North Dakota’s credit union system.
 
Closing Thoughts
Fall is a season of change, but it’s also a season of connection. From Capitol Hill to community credit unions, from historic Deadwood to Washington, D.C., we are reminded of the power of cooperation, the strength of advocacy, and the pride of tradition.
 
As the leaves turn and the air cools, I want to thank each of you for your leadership, your partnership, and your commitment to advancing the credit union movement. Together, we are building something lasting for our members, for our communities, and for future generations.
​
Have a wonderful week. 

​​​DakCU President/CEO