John Crews is hitting the ground running.
Less than a month after being sworn in as the 14th Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration, he’s already making the rounds—and credit union leaders are getting not one, but two chances to hear from him directly.
First up: America’s Credit Unions‘ Congressional Caucus on September 14–15 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. This marks Crews’ debut in-person speaking gig as chairman, which is kind of a big deal. Think of it as the regulatory equivalent of a first album drop—everyone’s watching to see what direction he’ll take.
What’s on the Agenda at the Congressional Caucus?
This annual gathering brings together credit union executives, communications pros, and advocates to rub elbows with the people who actually make the rules. It’s happening at a crucial time in the legislative calendar, giving attendees a front-row seat to policy developments while they push for credit union priorities on the Hill.
Beyond Chairman Crews, the speaker lineup is pretty stacked:
- Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) — He’s been a credit union champion, backing legislation like the Credit Union Board Modernization Act and supporting credit union access to small business lending. Plus, he’s actually served on a credit union board, so he gets it.
- House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) — As the second-ranking Democrat in House leadership and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, she’s been instrumental in securing funding for programs like the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund that help credit unions serve underserved communities.
Throughout the conference, attendees will tackle the hot-button issues currently shaking up financial services: interchange fee regulations, digital assets, credit card interest rate caps, household affordability, and expanded lending authorities. It’s basically everything keeping credit union leaders up at night, all in one place.
Round Two: DCUC’s Military Advocacy Committee Gets Face Time
But wait, there’s more. The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) announced that Chairman Crews will also address their Military Advocacy Committee meeting this month—complete with a Q&A session afterward.
For those unfamiliar, the DCUC Military Advocacy Committee is where member credit unions identify and advance advocacy priorities affecting defense credit unions and the military communities they serve. These aren’t just regular meetings—they directly shape how DCUC engages with regulators and policymakers on issues like access, mission readiness, and financial wellness for service members.
This appearance is significant because it marks one of the first times a newly appointed NCUA chairman has engaged directly with defense credit unions right out of the gate. After his address, MAC members will get to ask questions before diving into updates on DCUC’s recent advocacy wins and Q4 priorities for fiscal year 2026.
Why This Matters
“We sincerely appreciate Chairman Crews’ willingness and availability to meet directly with DCUC’s Military Advocacy Committee so early in his tenure,” said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. “His participation reflects a meaningful commitment to transparency, access, and open dialogue with the credit unions serving communities across America, including our nation’s military, veterans, civil servants, and their families.”
Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer, echoed that sentiment: “This special meeting offers credit unions a direct opportunity to share their perspectives and engage Chairman Crews on the issues shaping our shared advocacy goals. We are grateful for his availability and for the message it sends about proactive engagement, regulatory accessibility, and the value of hearing directly from credit unions whose missions are closely tied to military readiness and our Nation’s financial resilience.”
Who Is John Crews, Anyway?
Before taking the NCUA helm on August 24, 2026, Crews served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he focused on regulation, financial infrastructure, and safety and soundness issues. His resume also includes stints as Policy Advisor to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Policy Director for the Senate Banking Committee, and Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the National Economic Council during the first Trump Administration.
Translation: the guy knows his way around Washington and financial policy. Now credit union leaders get to see what that experience looks like in action.
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