WASHINGTON--Ensuring credit union priorities have the attention of Congress and regulators to start the year, America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson sent detailed letters to Congressional leaders and regulators Wednesday.
“America’s Credit Unions’ 2026 policy priorities continue our focus on advancing, empowering, and protecting credit unions. We are committed to fiercely advocating for forward-thinking policies that uplift people and communities through their financial partnerships with credit unions,” wrote Simpson. “Within the framework of these three areas, we are focused on developing a regulatory and legislative environment that enables credit unions—and ultimately our country—to thrive.”
In addition to leaders in both chambers of Congress, letters were sent to heads of the NCUA, CFPB, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Small Business Administration, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, National Economic Council, and Department of War.
America’s Credit Unions noted that its 2026 advocacy priorities are to:
Advance credit unions by:
- Expanding access while fighting efforts that seek to establish unnecessary regulatory burdens
- Modernizing the credit union charter
- Establishing a federal data protection standard that accounts for credit unions’ existing requirements
- Supporting enhanced access to affordable housing
Empower credit unions by:
- Recognizing the credit union difference from for-profit banks
- Enhancing fraud prevention with improved mechanisms and tools
- Reforming the CFPB’s leadership structure and rulemaking process
- Expanding opportunities to innovate in areas including artificial intelligence and digital assets
Protect credit unions by:
- Reinforcing the credit union tax status
- Protecting the current interchange system
- Supporting a strong, independent credit union regulatory regime