Advocacy
Welcome to our page for
Credit Union Advocacy!
Stay informed with the latest in regulations, legislation, and public relations (PR) opportunities impacting credit unions. Our goal is to ensure you’re up to date and empowered to make your credit union’s voice heard, whether on Capitol Hill or in mainstream media or various niche outlets. We offer valuable resources and opportunities for credit union PR, helping you effectively communicate and promote your credit union’s and all credit unions’ interests. And don’t forget to check out the charities and causes we’re supporting, including Look Before You Lock. Post signs and wear stickers that remind your members to LOOK for children or pets before they’re locked up in their hot car. Whether you’re looking to provide input on new regulatory changes or seeking ways to enhance brand awareness or a new cause to support, our Advocacy Section is here to help!
Comments on Deregulation Project Proposals Due Feb. 9
The NCUA Board is requesting comments on the first round of proposed regulatory changes under the NCUA Deregulation Project. The comment period ends on February 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
The proposals would clarify agency guidance or remove unnecessary, redundant, overly prescriptive, or unduly burdensome requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations, including:
- 12 CFR 704.8 and 704.15, Corporate Credit Unions — Removes the requirement that a corporate credit union’s asset and liability management committee include a board member and removes certain annual report and independent public accountant filing and notification requirements.
- 12 CFR 715, Supervisory Committee Audits and Verifications — Streamlines supervisory committee audit requirements by removing outdated or duplicative provisions and reducing prescriptive language.
- 12 CFR 748 Appendix A, Guidelines for Safeguarding Member Information — Removes Appendix A from the CFR and publishes its contents as guidance (e.g., a Letter to Credit Unions).
- 12 CFR 748 Appendix B, Guidance on Response Programs for Unauthorized Access to Member Information and Member Notice — Removes Appendix B from the CFR and publishes its contents as guidance.
See more here.
Comments on Deregulation Project Proposals
Due Feb. 27
The NCUA Board is requesting comments on the second round of proposed regulatory changes under the NCUA Deregulation Project. The comment period ends on February 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
The proposals would clarify agency guidance or remove unnecessary, redundant, overly prescriptive, obsolete, or unduly burdensome requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations, including:
- 12 CFR 701.20(c)(3) and 701.20(d), Surety and Guarantor Requirements — Removes segregated deposit and collateral requirements for suretyship and guaranty agreements to provide federally insured credit unions flexibility while maintaining safety and soundness.
- 12 CFR 701.25(b), Limits on Loans to Other Credit Unions — Removes a duplicative, overly prescriptive requirement for credit unions to maintain a separate policy for lending to other credit unions, reducing administrative burden.
- 12 CFR 740.0 and 740.5, Accuracy of Advertising and Notice of Insured Status — Streamlines advertising requirements by removing obsolete, overly prescriptive provisions related to the official advertising statement while preserving core requirements that credit union advertising be accurate and truthful.
- 12 CFR 748.1(b), Catastrophic Act Reporting — Modernizes catastrophic act reporting by updating the recipient of the report, extending the reporting window to 15 calendar days, and clarifying the basic facts to be reported.
See more here.
Comments on Deregulation Project Proposals Due March 16
The National Credit Union Administration today announced the third round of proposed regulatory changes associated with NCUA’s Deregulation Project. The project is an ongoing review of NCUA’s regulations to ensure regulations are focused on credit unions’ safety, soundness, and resilience. The agency is focused on removing or revising regulations that are: obsolete; overly burdensome; duplicative of other requirements; or guidance.
With today’s announcement, NCUA is requesting comments on four proposals that would clarify agency guidance or eliminate unduly burdensome or obsolete requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations.
The four proposals include:
Changes for Nondiscrimination Requirements – 12 CFR 701.31
- The Board proposes to remove This is an external link to a website belonging to another federal agency, private organization, or commercial entity. 12 CFR 701.31(Opens new window) . NCUA will no longer attempt to summarize requirements more appropriately issued by other agencies.
- Impact on Credit Unions: This does not change credit unions’ compliance obligations regarding the FHA and ECOA, but it should lessen any confusion caused by 701.31 which has not kept pace with current law.
- For more information on this proposal, please see: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/14/2026-00591/nondiscrimination-requirements
Changes for Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 08-2 Service to Underserved Areas
- The Board proposes to eliminate Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 08-2.
- Impact on Credit Unions: This change would eliminate a redundant standard currently listed in more than one area. This would ease the compliance burden on FCUs by limiting the number of sources that FCUs must check to ensure compliance with applicable chartering and FOM requirements.
- For more information on this proposal, please see: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/14/2026-00592/chartering-and-field-of-membership-for-federal-credit-unions-interpretive-rulings-and-policy
Changes for Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 10-1 Community Chartering Policies
- The Board proposes to eliminate its Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 10-1.
- Impact on Credit Unions: This change would eliminate a redundant standard currently listed in more than one area. This would ease the compliance burden on FCUs by limiting the number of sources that FCUs must check to ensure compliance with applicable community chartering and FOM requirements.
- For more information on this proposal, please see: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/14/2026-00594/chartering-and-field-of-membership-for-federal-credit-unions-interpretive-rulings-and-policy
Changes for Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 11-2 Federal Corporate Credit Union Chartering
- The Board proposes rescinding Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement 11-02.
- Impact on Credit Unions: This proposed rescission would remove guidance regarding procedures and timelines for chartering federal corporate credit unions. This would reduce the regulatory burden by limiting the sources that FCUs must check when chartering a new corporate credit union ensuring all they would need to comply with is the guidance and procedures in the Federal Corporate Credit Union Chartering Manual.
- For more information on this proposal, please see: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/14/2026-00595/corporate-credit-unions
NCUA Supervisory Priorities for 2026 under Chairman Kyle Hauptman include:
- Balance Sheet Management. Regarding lending, sensitivity to market risk and liquidity, earnings and capital adequacy.
- Operational Risk Management. Including payment systems and fraud prevention and detection.
- Compliance Risk Management. BSA compliance and AML/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) programs.
Details are available at NCUA.gov. Feedback or questions concerning the 2026 supervisory priorities should be directed to your NCUA examiner, regional office or AskNCUA.
The Promoting New and Diverse Depository Institutions Act
The Promoting New and Diverse Depository Institutions Act aims to expand access to banking and credit union services—especially in underserved communities. The bill would establish an interagency office to support the formation of new depository institutions, provide technical assistance, and study barriers to entry. It’s designed to help increase the number and diversity of federally insured credit unions and banks.
Read more in The Credit Union Connection here.
And if you’d like to read the complete text of the bill, it can be found here.
H.R.975 – Credit Union Board Modernization Act
Senate Bill S.522 – A bill to amend the Federal Credit Union Act to modify the frequency of board of directors meetings, and for other purposes
A bill introduced by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) aims to alter the frequency of board of directors meetings required by the Federal Credit Union Act. To share your credit union’s stance on this bill, contact your senators and representatives.
S.381 – A bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to cap credit card interest rates at 10%
S.J.Res.18 – A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to “Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions”
A resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of financial protection relating to “Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions”. To share your credit union’s stance on this bill, contact your senators and representatives.
The Credit Union Connection team has decades of experience in content and marketing strategy, content marketing, marketing and PR. If you would like assistance in these areas, either on retainer or on a project basis, please contact Sarah at sarah@cookeconsultingsolutions.com.
Financial Conversations More Families Need to Have Earlier
Name: Jordan Rosenfeld
Email: reply+15f7439c-cf57-4a29-87f3-3d1d48c9045a@helpareporter.com
HARO Journalist Profile URL: https://helpareporter.com/journalist/jordan-rosenfeld-1
Media Outlet: GOBankingRates (https://gobankingrates.com)
Deadline: 2:00 PM ET – 30 January
Query: Financial Advisors: I’m reporting a personal finance article on the critical money conversations families often delay until it’s too late, and the financial consequences of avoiding them. I’m seeking multiple U.S.-based financial advisors, estate planners, therapists, and family finance experts to weigh in on which conversations matter most and when they should happen. Interview questions, or provide your own commentary. 1. What financial conversation do families most often postpone, and why? 2. At what life stages should key money discussions realistically begin? 3. How does avoiding money conversations increase long-term financial stress or conflict? 4. Which conversations tend to be emotionally hardest, even when financially necessary? 5. How should adult children and aging parents approach discussions about care and finances? 6. What role should transparency play in family financial planning? 7. How can families introduce these topics without triggering defensiveness or fear? 8. What real-world consequences have you seen when these conversations happen too late? 9. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?
Look Before You Lock
Look Before You Lock is a campaign designed to remind people to double-check their car for any children or pets before locking their cars and heading into work or the store. Children and pets locked in cars can easily succumb to heat, potentially causing serious injury or death. This campaign is designed to give people that reminder that could save a life.
Each image is FREE for you to download.
Be sure to add your credit union’s logo!
Melanoma Research Alliance
A Message from The Credit Union Connection Founder/CEO Sarah Snell Cooke
I have a redhead’s complexion, and I used to get sunburnt ALL THE TIME. Didn’t matter that I would spray on SPF 30 in between outdoor sporting matches/games/heats – volleyball, softball, soccer, swimming – you name it.
In July of 2023, I was diagnosed with stage 3A melanoma. Fortunately, I was living in Maryland at that time and found incredible doctors at Johns Hopkins to cut ‘Bob’ out of my arm and lymph nodes, and then zap him with immunotherapy juice.
In December 2024 I had my last treatment, and now Bob is NED – as in No Evidence of Disease. I hope you’ll support this worthy cause with me, either by spreading the word or by donating today.
Credit Union for Kids
Credit Unions for Kids is a charitable foundation that supports the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. These hospitals provide care for patients, advance treatment and research for illnesses, and much more. The Credit Union Connection fully supports this organization because credit unions are about more than just money.
For every dollar donated to a Children's Miracle Network Hospital...
25%
Goes to advancement services to support innovative programs and services.
17%
Helps to provide charitable care to patients.
12%
Supports research & treatments for how we care for children.
25%
Provides patient services to ensure children are physically, mentally, & emotionally healthy.
6%
Provides education services for patients, families, & the community.
15%
Goes to improve life-saving equipment.
Source: Based on estimates provided in response to the 2020 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Impact Society
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 49,000 lives in the year 2023 in addition to an estimated 1.5 million attempts.
The Credit Union Connection supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as they help raise awareness and provide resources to those struggling with suicide and suicidal thoughts, plus their loved ones. The AFSP hosts several walks for suicide prevention awareness across the country. Sign up for yours today!
Purple Bridges