DCUC Conference 2026: On One Stage, Two Trade Group Chiefs Deliver A Unified Vision For Credit Unions' Future
By CU Today Staff —
AVENTURA, Fla.— Standing together on the main stage at the Defense Credit Union Council's Annual Conference here, the leaders of the credit union movement's two largest national trade groups delivered a unified message that the industry's future will depend less on individual advocacy victories and more on collaboration as banks, fintechs and political opponents intensify pressure on the cooperative model.
Scott Simpson (L) and Anthony Hernandez
In a wide-ranging conversation led by DCUC President/CEO Anthony Hernandez, America's Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson said the movement can no longer afford to think of itself as simply defending its tax exemption or responding to individual legislative threats. Instead, he argued, credit unions must focus on expanding economic freedom to the two-thirds of Americans who are not yet members while ensuring policymakers understand the "humanity" behind the industry's growth rather than making what he called a "cosmetic observation" that larger credit unions have somehow abandoned their mission—emphasizing that credit unions must “go after that lie.”
Simpson repeatedly warned that lawmakers increasingly see new branches and larger balance sheets without recognizing that credit unions still serve just a fraction of the nation's financial services market.
Scott Simpson (L) and Anthony Hernandez discuss the future of credit unions.
Simpson briefly reflected on the experiences that drew him into the movement, describing growing up in a Utah community with deep credit union roots, where affordable credit was essential for working families. He also shared the story of his grandmother—a former "Rosie the Riveter"—who relied on her credit union to make ends meet, saying that personal connection continues to shape his commitment to advocacy.
Later, while discussing the banking industry's long-running attacks on credit unions, Simpson drew laughs, saying bankers are like a house cat: they may let you pet them and appear friendly, but given the chance, "they will kill you."
Looking ahead, Simpson said the industry's greatest challenge will be countering coordinated attacks from banks, fintech interests and political groups on both the right and left. He warned that the banking industry continues to vastly outspend credit unions in Washington while well-funded fintech political action committees are rapidly increasing their influence.
That makes grassroots advocacy more important than ever, he said, pointing to ACU’s successful "Don't Tax My Credit Union" campaign, which generated hundreds of thousands of messages to Congress and demonstrated the political power of engaged members.
The discussion repeatedly returned to collaboration between America's Credit Unions, DCUC and other system partners. Hernandez said the industry's recent tax fight showed what can be accomplished when organizations combine what he described, using a military term, as "overwhelming combat firepower" at the decisive point.
Simpson agreed, calling alignment essential because "if we are not aligned, it's worse than doing nothing."
Simpson stressed that defense credit unions have always been a vital part of the broader movement and urged leaders to look beyond organizational boundaries, maintain open communication and, when disagreements arise, "reach through difficulty for the higher cause."
Originally reported by CU Today.