DCUC, Member Credit Unions, and System Partners Meet with Pentagon and NCUA Leadership
By DCUC Staff —
Discussions highlight military financial readiness, regulatory modernization, and credit unions’ abilityto serve those who serve.
WASHINGTON, DC — Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) leadership, joined by member credit union CEOs from across the country and key system partners, met with senior Pentagon and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) officials this week to strengthen partnerships and advance priorities supporting service members, veterans, and their families.
At the Pentagon, the delegation met with Lara Sayer, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, and The Honorable Jules “Jay” Hurst III, Under Secretary of War (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer. Both meetings focused on strengthening collaboration and reaffirming defense credit unions’ commitment to the financial well-being of the military community. “It was important that we bring our member credit unions to meet directly with DoW leadership,” said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. “While DCUC is always ready to speak on their behalf, our member credit unions are the ones directly serving those who serve our country. DoW needs to see their dedication to the cause in person.” Following the Pentagon visits, the delegation met with The Honorable John Crews, Chairman of the NCUA, to discuss regulatory priorities that would strengthen credit unions’ ability to compete, innovate, and meet their members’ evolving financial needs. “A strong credit union system starts with the ability to meet members where they are and respond to their changing financial needs,” said Hernandez. “We are grateful for the opportunity to meet with Chairman Crews and share our priorities in protecting the system’s financial resilience while ensuring credit unions have the tools and flexibility to serve their communities for generations to come.” As part of the NCUA visit, Jason Stverak, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer, led a question-and-answer session with Sierra Robinson, Director of the NCUA’s Office of External Affairs and Communications, on issues important to the defense credit union community. The discussion provided an opportunity for direct engagement with the agency on the challenges and priorities facing credit unions serving military members and their families. During the meeting, Chairman Crews once again outlined his broad priorities and heard directly from DCUC and its members about the need for a clear, practical framework for credit union participation in payment stablecoins under the GENIUS Act. The delegation also encouraged NCUA support for investment opportunities that enable credit unions to compete meaningfully and responsibly adopt new technologies. Additional priorities included preserving federal preemption of state interchange restrictions for federal credit unions, expanding membership eligibility to designated beneficiaries, and modernizing the Central Liquidity Facility (CLF) to strengthen the credit union system’s federal liquidity backstop. DCUC also urged the agency to reduce duplicative requirements, modernize consumer disclosures for digital banking, and help address operational concerns related to vehicle-loan interest reporting. The delegation emphasized the importance of practical pathways for responsible technology adoption, stronger cybersecurity education and information sharing, and continued stakeholder engagement before new requirements take effect. “Credit unions need clear, consistent rules that allow them to compete, responsibly embrace new technologies, and devote more resources to serving their members. By maintaining an open dialogue with the NCUA, we can help ensure regulatory policy reflects the operational realities credit unions face while preserving the trust and financial security their members depend on,” said Stverak. The meetings reinforced DCUC’s commitment to bringing member credit unions’ perspectives directly to federal decision-makers and advancing policies that support military financial readiness, a resilient credit union system, and its mission of “Serving ALL Who Serve.” *Photos from the meetings provided below.
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Originally reported by DCUC.