Your Leadership Link

One week until the DakCU Annual Summit. Get ready for great connections, conversations, and insights.

It’s hard to believe we are just one week away from gathering in Box Elder for the Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) Annual Summit.

Planning for Summit 2026 began almost immediately after last year’s event, with a clear objective: to make each year better than the last and to deliver a meaningful opportunity for you to connect with peers, engage with industry partners, and focus on the issues and opportunities that matter most to our credit unions. We are confident this year’s Summit will be one of our best yet, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Black Hills.

There is a strong sense of anticipation heading into this year’s event. Beyond the networking, presentations, and conversations, it is the opportunity to reconnect face to face that brings the greatest value. These moments of collaboration and shared perspective are what strengthen our collective voice and position Dakota credit unions for continued success.

We are also especially looking forward to introducing DakCU’s new President and CEO, Joe Keller. Summit will provide a meaningful opportunity for many of you to meet Joe, hear his perspective, and begin building the relationships that are so critical to our shared work. For those unable to attend, we will be sure to share key takeaways and insights following the event, and you will be hearing from Joe soon in your respective markets.

As we gather, we do so at an important point in our Association’s journey. This year marks 20 years since the North Dakota and South Dakota leagues came together to form what is now your Dakota Credit Union Association. We are building on that strong foundation while looking ahead with renewed energy and purpose, guided by this year’s theme: Our Roots. Our Rise.

Our focus is more intentional and member driven than ever. We are aligning our advocacy, education, and engagement efforts to better support you as leaders and to strengthen the collective voice of Dakota credit unions.
Following Summit, we will begin rolling out additional DakCU events and networking opportunities for the second half of the year.

On the national regulatory and advocacy front, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized its revised Section 1071 rule, which includes many credit union sought changes to reduce regulatory burden.

Congress is in recess this week but was busy last week as the House adopted the Senate's budget reconciliation resolution, formally starting the reconciliation process. A tax title was not included, so the credit union tax status will not be impacted. A third reconciliation bill may, however, still be possible before the end of this Congress on January 3, 2027.

Last week, the House also passed the Senate's bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, ending the longest partial government shutdown in history.

The Senate Banking Committee also advanced Kevin Warsh's nomination for Chairman of the Federal Reserve by a party line vote, inching him closer to confirmation to replace Jerome Powell as Chairman. Chairman Powell indicated that he intends to remain on the Fed Board after his term as Chairman expires, so he will continue to shape monetary policy.

Here in the Dakotas, primary season is right around the corner, and your DakCU Advocacy team, alongside our North Dakota and South Dakota Government Affairs Committees, is actively engaged with lawmakers who understand and support the practical, common sense policies that strengthen credit unions and the members they serve.

We look forward to seeing many of you in Box Elder as we continue moving our Association and our credit unions forward together.

Have a great week!

​George McDonald
​DakCU Interim President/CEO