WASHINGTON--Tuesday, the Defense Credit Union Council wrote to the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence ahead of its May 20, 2026, hearing, “Partnering for Innovation: How Bank-Fintech Collaborations Enhance Financial Infrastructure.”
DCUC provided its views on H.R. 6552 and requested that its letter be included in the hearing record.
DCUC stated that it supports efforts to better understand how responsible fintech partnerships can strengthen the regulated financial system and is encouraged that the amended version of H.R. 6552 includes a parallel NCUA study of credit union-fintech partnerships. In its letter, DCUC encouraged Congress ensure credit unions are fully included in the bill’s scope, reporting framework, and analysis of fintech collaboration.
DCUC requesteded that the Subcommittee:
- Retain Section 3 of the amended bill to ensure credit unions remain explicitly included in the federal study and reporting framework
- Clarify inclusion of credit union stakeholders and CUSOs in the NCUA consultation process
- Strengthen the study’s scope to address real-world barriers such as third-party risk requirements, payment system access, cybersecurity and fraud controls, and data and core integration challenges
DCUC, too, noted the study should reflect impacts on low-income, rural, minority, and defense credit unions.“This is an important opportunity for Congress to ensure that credit unions are not treated as an afterthought in the evolution of financial innovation,” said Jason Stverak, DCUC chief advocacy officer. “Credit unions serve millions of Americans, and they must have a meaningful seat in this conversation if policymakers want a complete understanding of how fintech partnerships are reshaping access, competition, and consumer protection. We appreciate the Subcommittee’s attention to this issue and encourage a framework that reflects the full depository ecosystem, not just one segment of it.”