Crews Clears Key Senate Hurdle As NCUA Leadership Transition Nears
By CU Today Staff —
WASHINGTON— The Senate Banking Committee on Thursday approved John Crews' nomination to serve on the NCUA board by voice vote, sending the nomination to the full Senate and clearing the way for him to succeed NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman, whose board term expired in August 2025.
Hauptman has remained in office, as permitted under federal law, pending confirmation of a successor. Earlier this year, he was appointed to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and has said he will remain at NCUA until Crews is confirmed.
If confirmed by the Senate, Crews would join the board as the agency's sole board member, following the Trump Administration's removal of Democratic board members Todd Harper and Tanya Otsuka. During his confirmation hearing last month, Crews told lawmakers he would focus on reducing regulatory burden for smaller credit unions, encouraging innovation and supporting the chartering of new credit unions, while emphasizing the importance of protecting the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund and maintaining the safety and soundness of the credit union system.
The leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for NCUA as it advances a broad regulatory modernization agenda, addresses cybersecurity risks and oversees more than 4,400 federally insured credit unions. Crews also has pledged to promote risk-based supervision that recognizes differences among institutions while maintaining transparency between the agency and the credit union industry.
"Credit unions thank Chairman Scott and the members of the Senate Banking Committee for advancing John Crews' nomination to the NCUA Board," America's Credit Unions Chief Advocacy Officer Kathleen Coulombe said in a statement. "We appreciate that the Committee recognizes a robust credit union industry requires a fully staffed NCUA board and John Crews possesses the necessary experience and knowledge to efficiently lead the NCUA. We urge the Senate to quickly vote to confirm his nomination."
The Defense Credit Union Council said Thursday's Today’s vote represents an important step toward providing the NCUA with thoughtful and accountable leadership America’s credit unions and their 146 million members deserve.
"Mr. Crews has demonstrated an understanding of the credit union system, the importance of preserving the NCUA’s independence, and the need to balance safety-and-soundness supervision with an operating environment that allows credit unions to grow, innovate, and serve their members," said DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak. "Throughout the confirmation process, Mr. Crews has shown a willingness to listen to stakeholders and engage on the challenges facing small, newly chartered, defense, and community-based credit unions. DCUC appreciates his recognition that regulation must be tailored and that unnecessary burdens can restrict access to affordable financial services."
Stverak added that defense credit unions serve servicemembers, veterans, and military families in communities across the United States and around the world.
"These institutions need an NCUA board that understands their unique mission and remains committed to regulatory clarity, modernization, and a resilient credit union system," he said. "We congratulate Mr. Crews on advancing out of committee and urge the full Senate to act promptly on his confirmation. DCUC looks forward to working with Mr. Crews, if confirmed, to strengthen the credit union system and ensure credit unions can continue serving those who serve our country."
A date for a full Senate confirmation vote has not been announced.
Originally reported by CU Today.