Your Leadership Link

Collaboration continues to strengthen the credit union movement in 2026 and beyond.

Brad Miller, AACUL President

By Brad Miller, President of American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)

A New Year, A Shared Mission: Collaboration Powering Credit Unions in 2026
As President of AACUL, I have the privilege of working alongside state credit union leagues across the country including the Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) to strengthen collaboration, align advocacy, and elevate the collective voice of credit unions nationwide. That vantage point offers a front-row seat to one of the movement’s greatest strengths.
 
As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what has sustained the credit union movement and to look ahead to what will carry us forward in 2026 and beyond: collaboration that is not only something to admire, but something to celebrate and build upon.
 
Across the country, DakCU along with 30 other state credit union associations and America’s Credit Unions work intentionally, strategically, and relentlessly to protect and advance a strong, vibrant credit union system in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. They listen to credit unions, bring your voices to the table, and collaborate on your behalf.
 
That collective effort is what makes our movement resilient, and it’s why the AACUL proudly serves as a conduit among Leagues -connecting ideas, voices, and advocacy into one unified force.
 
At its core, collaboration is what gives Leagues their impact.

• Leagues work side by side with credit unions, listening closely to the challenges you face as you serve members in your communities - whether rural, urban, or somewhere in between.
• Leagues work with lawmakers, shaping thoughtful public policy and demonstrating the real-world impact credit unions have on families, farms, and small businesses.
• Leagues engage with regulators to help ensure a strong, stable operating environment that allows credit unions to innovate responsibly.
• Leagues align with America’s Credit Unions, coordinating advocacy strategies and leveraging data to amplify our collective voice.
• And importantly, Leagues work with one another - sharing insights, best practices, and perspective to strengthen the unified voice of our movement.

 
Advocacy always starts at home. It begins in the local communities where credit unions help members buy their first homes, weather financial uncertainty, launch businesses, and plan for the future. By working hand-in-hand with credit unions, Leagues build trusted relationships with community leaders - relationships that grow stronger over time as those leaders become state and federal policymakers.
 
Every day, credit unions, Leagues, and America’s Credit Unions work proactively to:

• Expand access to affordable housing.
• Engage regulators on forward-thinking rules and regulations.
• Deliver financial education and solutions that empower members and strengthen communities.

 
Through these and many more shared efforts, we build more than relationships - we build trust, credibility, and influence at state capitols and in Washington, D.C.
 
As we set goals for 2026, one thing is clear: the future strength of the credit union movement depends on our ability to continue working together strategically, boldly, and with credit unions at the center of every conversation. Whether engaging lawmakers locally, collaborating with regulators, or standing united on Capitol Hill, we are strongest when we move forward as one.
 
To the credit union leaders across North Dakota and South Dakota who champion this movement every day: thank you. Thank you for supporting DakCU in so many ways, including sharing your stories, advocating for your members, and mostly, by caring for Dakotans.
 
Brad Miller, President
American Association of Credit Union Leagues
 
Brad Miller serves as President of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), the national organization representing all state credit union leagues across the country. In this role, Brad works closely with league leaders, including the Dakota Credit Union Association, to align advocacy strategies, share insights and best practices, and strengthen the collective voice of credit unions at the federal level. AACUL acts as a connector among leagues ensuring collaboration, coordination, and consistent messaging as we work together to protect and advance the credit union movement nationwide.

---