The credit union world has a new leader at the helm. John Crews officially took the oath of office as the 14th Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board, and industry leaders are rolling out the welcome mat with plenty of optimism about what’s ahead.
“I appreciate the trust and support that the President has placed in me, and the U.S. Senate for confirming me. I would also like to thank outgoing Chairman Kyle Hauptman for his nearly six years of service at NCUA and for the thoughtful regulatory reform effort he led as Chairman,” Crews said. “I intend to capitalize on the agency’s progress on two of the Administration’s most ambitious goals: enabling innovation and right sizing the regulatory framework that governs the financial services industry.”
He continued, “My priorities include safeguarding the interests of credit union member-owners, promoting regulatory efficiency, maintaining a strong and healthy National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, and supporting initiatives that promote access to affordable financial services nationwide.” He also expressed his commitment to the safety, soundness, and resilience of the credit union system, emphasizing his focus on strengthening financial stability, fostering responsible innovation and ensuring effective oversight. “
The Backgrounder
Chairman Crews was nominated to the NCUA Board on May 11, 2026, and confirmed by the Senate on August 7, 2026. His term will expire on August 2, 2031.
Immediately prior to joining the NCUA Board, Mr. Crews served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Policy, at the U.S. Department of Treasury, where his principal focus was on regulation, financial infrastructure, and safety and soundness matters.
Mr. Crews previously served as Policy Advisor to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and as Policy Director for the Senate Banking Committee. During the first Trump Administration, he served at the National Economic Council in the White House as the Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.
Chairman Crews holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University.
What the Credit Union Trade Groups Had to Say
Scott Simpson, President and CEO of America’s Credit Unions, didn’t mince words about the industry’s expectations. “We welcome John Crews as he begins his work at the NCUA, and we congratulate him on his chairmanship,” Simpson said. The message is clear: credit unions are ready to partner with Crews to build a regulatory environment where they can actually thrive—not just survive under a mountain of compliance paperwork.
Here’s the balance everyone’s hoping to strike: maintaining rock-solid safety and soundness (because nobody wants another financial crisis) while simultaneously pushing for regulatory modernization, better access, and innovation. Think of it as wanting your cake and eating it too, except in this case, it’s actually possible with the right leadership.
Simpson also tipped his hat to outgoing Chairman Kyle Hauptman, thanking him for years of service and his efforts to trim regulatory red tape. Hauptman is moving on to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board—a different sandbox entirely, but we wish him well.
The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) is equally enthusiastic about Crews’ taking the reins’ official appointment. Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President and CEO (and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel), emphasized the NCUA’s presidentially appointed Board structure has provided nearly 50 years of balanced, accountable governance.
“DCUC is pleased to see Chairman Crews assume office and ensure strong governance and leadership over the agency as Congress intended,” Hernandez noted. Translation: they’re counting on Crews to keep the ship steady while helping credit unions better serve American families and military communities.
The Stakes Are High
Jason Stverak, DCUC’s Chief Advocacy Officer, put the NCUA’s mission into perspective with some eye-opening numbers. More than 145 million Americans depend on credit unions daily. That includes over 40 million military, veteran, and defense-affiliated members who rely on these institutions for financial guidance, readiness, and support.
“The NCUA plays an essential role in ensuring credit unions can continue delivering trusted, cooperative financial services with the oversight and guidance required to meet members’ needs,” Stverak explained. The DCUC team is ready to work alongside Crews to make sure those vital services keep flowing and the credit union mission stays strong across the entire cooperative movement.
Essentially, John Crews has inherited a crucial role at a pivotal time. All eyes are on how he’ll balance regulation with innovation in the months ahead.