John Crews walked into the Senate Banking Committee on June 25, 2026, with a mission: convince lawmakers he’s the right person to join the National Credit Union Administration Board.
And like any good nominee, he came prepared with thank-yous, policy plans, and a reminder that credit unions are kind of a big deal for regular Americans trying to buy their first car or house.
After thanking Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren, and pretty much everyone who’s ever supported him (including his wife Jean, kids Jack and Josie, and his parents), Crews got down to business. This wasn’t his first rodeo on Capitol Hill—the guy spent a decade and a half in government service, most of it knee-deep in financial services policy. He’s worked on the Banking Committee, helped craft bipartisan legislation like the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (yes, that’s S. 2155 for the policy nerds), and even had a hand in the CARES Act.
His resume reads like a who’s who of recent administrations: Senator Toomey, Larry Kudlow, Majority Leader Scalise, and Treasury Secretary Bessent. Now President Trump wants him on the NCUA Board, and Crews made it clear he’s taking that responsibility seriously.
What Would Crews Actually Do at NCUA?
If confirmed, Crews laid out three main priorities that would guide his work. Think of them as his greatest hits list for keeping credit unions healthy and relevant.
Priority #1: Make Regulation Smarter, Not Harder
Here’s the thing—most credit unions are tiny. We’re talking small-town, know-your-name-when-you-walk-in operations. Crews argued these institutions need a regulator that gets it. His pitch? A risk-based, efficient approach to supervision that doesn’t waste anyone’s time or resources. The small players get appropriate oversight, and NCUA can focus its energy where the real risks live. Everybody wins.
Priority #2: Embrace Technology (Without Breaking Things)
Crews wants to build on current NCUA Chairman Kyle Hayuptman’s work around technological innovation. That means getting credit unions ready for the future—whether that’s stablecoins, artificial intelligence, or whatever financial tech comes next. The goal isn’t innovation for innovation’s sake, though. It’s about improving member experiences and reaching people who’ve been shut out of traditional banking. Responsible advancement is the name of the game.
Priority #3: Make It Easier to Start New Credit Unions
Starting a new credit union (or any financial institution, really) is brutally difficult right now. Crews acknowledged this but said de novo chartering—fancy speak for creating new credit unions—needs to be a priority. Why? Because new credit unions are a sign the system is healthy, and they often pop up specifically to serve communities that bigger institutions ignore. It’s both good policy and good economics.
Why This Matters to Actual Humans
Crews wrapped up his statement with something important: credit unions aren’t just boring financial institutions. They’re engines of the American Dream. He dropped some numbers to prove it—in 2025, credit unions issued 28% of their loans for auto purchases and another 57% for mortgages and real estate. That first car that gets you to your job? That first house where you paint the walls whatever color you want? For millions of Americans, those milestones happen because their local credit union took a chance on them.
His closing promise was straightforward: if confirmed, he’ll work with Congress, the administration, and NCUA staff to keep the credit union system safe, sound, and actually useful for the people it serves.
Now it’s up to the Senate to decide if he gets the job.