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​Dakota credit union advocates are building momentum following a strong presence at the America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference,

From the Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) and America's Credit Unions 

Your Dakota Credit Union Association continues working alongside America’s Credit Unions and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues to focus on issues that matter most to credit unions and the members they serve. Below are several updates highlighting how these efforts support Dakota credit unions and their communities.

Advocacy Momentum Continues Following Strong GAC Presence
Following a successful America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C., credit union advocates including a strong delegation from the Dakotas are continuing to build momentum around key policy priorities impacting credit unions and their members.

Throughout the week, credit union leaders and advocates amplified a unified message with lawmakers and regulators focused on advancing, empowering, and protecting cooperative finance. Member stories shared during meetings and across social media helped policymakers better understand how credit unions support financial access, community development, and economic stability.

These conversations remain essential as Congress and federal agencies evaluate policies that could directly affect credit unions and the members they serve.

Congressional Activity and Legislative Outlook
While the House of Representatives is currently in recess, the Senate continues work on housing-related legislation, including updates to the ROAD to Housing Act. Credit union advocates are closely monitoring potential amendments, particularly efforts to attach provisions from the Credit Card Competition Act.

America’s Credit Unions has expressed concerns about adding this legislation to a housing bill, noting it would not address housing affordability and could disrupt the credit card system in ways that harm consumers and smaller financial institutions.

For Dakota credit unions, the issue is especially important. Changes to the credit card system could increase fraud risk, weaken consumer protections, and limit access to affordable credit, particularly in rural communities where credit unions often serve as a primary financial provider.

Federal Policy and Regulatory Developments
Several regulatory developments are also being monitored following GAC. President Donald Trump recently issued an Executive Order focused on cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and financial scams. Initial reviews suggest the order is unlikely to impose new regulatory obligations on credit unions, but the credit union system continues working with policymakers to ensure institutions have the tools needed to combat fraud and protect members. Read more including America's Credit Union's statement here. 

Additionally, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has issued another request for comment as part of its ongoing review under the Economic Growth and Paperwork Reduction Act (EGPRA). These reviews aim to identify outdated or unnecessary regulations and provide opportunities for modernization.

DakCU encourages member credit unions to participate in the comment process, as industry feedback plays a key role in shaping effective and practical regulatory policy.

Ongoing Advocacy and Industry Engagement
Advocacy efforts continue at both the national and state levels. America’s Credit Unions and state leagues including DakCU remain engaged on issues ranging from fraud prevention and cybersecurity to housing access and financial inclusion.

Recent national media coverage during GAC helped highlight these priorities, while industry commentary emphasized the credit union difference and the importance of maintaining policies that support cooperative financial institutions.

At the same time, discussions have emerged around forming an association focused on credit unions under $500 million in assets. Leaders within the unified credit union system have emphasized that strong structures already exist to ensure smaller credit unions are represented through coordinated advocacy and league engagement.

Why Advocacy Matters for Dakota Credit Unions
For Dakota credit unions, advocacy is about more than policy, it’s about ensuring communities continue to have access to trusted, member-owned financial services. Decisions made in Washington directly impact how credit unions operate and how they serve members across rural and urban communities alike.

The strong engagement seen during GAC—from Hill visits to social media storytelling demonstrates the power of the credit union movement when voices come together with a shared message. DakCU will continue working alongside America’s Credit Unions and credit union leaders across the Dakotas to monitor developments, advocate for sound policy, and keep members informed.

Building the Next Generation of Advocates
The energy and engagement seen at GAC also highlights the importance of developing the next generation of credit union advocates. Opportunities like DakCU’s Annual Summit and the Summit Crasher program give emerging professionals exposure to industry issues, help expand professional networks, and deepen their understanding of advocacy.

Modeled after the national GAC Crasher experience, the Summit Crasher program offers young professionals the opportunity to attend DakCU’s Annual Summit, participate in specialized programming, and connect with industry leaders across North and South Dakota.

These experiences often serve as a first step in developing future advocates—helping them understand the impact of policy decisions, the importance of collaboration, and the value of sharing credit union stories with policymakers and community leaders.

Credit union professionals looking to deepen their involvement in advocacy and leadership are encouraged to apply for the DakCU Summit Crasher program and take the next step in advancing their engagement within the credit union movement.  The deadline for crasher applications is Friday, March 20 . Register today to be a crasher!

​Your Association will continue to closely monitor these developments and advocate on behalf of our member credit unions at every step. Our team remains engaged with federal and state policymakers, national system partners, and regulatory agencies to ensure the priorities of Dakota credit unions are clearly represented. We will keep you informed as legislative and regulatory actions evolve and provide timely updates to support your strategic decision-making.
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Staying Engaged
For questions please contact DakCU Interim President/CEO, George McDonald; DakCU Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, John Alexander; or Director of Political Strategy and Engagement, Kenley Lamberty.