The National Credit Union Administration just finalized a rule that tackles a real problem most people don’t think about—how do you serve on a credit union board when you’ve got kids at home or aging parents who need care?
The answer, until now, was “figure it out yourself.” But that’s changing.
What Actually Changed
The NCUA’s new final rule gives federal credit unions the green light to reimburse board members for dependent care expenses. Think childcare costs while you’re at a board meeting, or paying someone to look after an elderly parent during your volunteer shift. Before this rule, those costs weren’t considered “reasonable expenses” under regulation 12 C.F.R. 701.33—which is regulatory speak for “not our problem.”
Now federal credit unions have the flexibility to adopt family-friendly policies that actually fit their size, location, and how they operate. It’s not a mandate—each credit union board gets to decide if and how they want to implement dependent care reimbursement. Local control meets practical modernization.
Who Does This Apply To?
The rule covers all federal credit unions, including the corporate variety. If you’re a federally insured but state-chartered credit union, you’ll still play by state rules on this one.
The changes take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, and the NCUA considered public feedback from the proposed rule they floated back in January 2026.
Why This Matters
The Defense Credit Union Council was quick to applaud the move, and for good reason. DCUC had actually submitted a comment letter back in March supporting the proposal, making the case that attracting qualified board members is pretty essential to keeping credit unions safe, sound, and successful.
“By providing federal credit unions with greater flexibility to reimburse reasonable dependent care expenses, the NCUA is helping ensure that qualified volunteers from diverse backgrounds can serve on credit union boards without facing unnecessary financial obstacles,” said Jason Stverak, DCUC’s Chief Advocacy Officer.
Translation: if you want diverse, talented people serving on boards, you can’t expect them to choose between community service and caring for their families.
The Bigger Picture
DCUC President and CEO Anthony Hernandez (also a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel) called it what it is: “a practical, common-sense regulatory improvement.” Volunteer board members already donate significant time and expertise. Making them shoulder childcare or elder care costs on top of that? That’s a barrier that doesn’t need to exist.
This rule removes an obstacle that probably kept plenty of qualified people from even considering board service. It’s the kind of regulatory update that might seem small on paper but could have real ripple effects on who leads credit unions—and ultimately, who they serve best.
DCUC says they’ll keep working with the NCUA and policymakers on reforms that support credit unions serving military members, veterans, their families, and communities nationwide. If this rule is any indication, there’s appetite for regulations that actually reflect how people live and work in 2026.