For more than 60 years, the Defense Credit Union Council has been synonymous with military-focused credit unions. Yet today, DCUC’s mission extends far beyond the gates of military bases. All credit unions are eligible to join DCUC and gain leading industry representation on issues affecting credit unions and their members. DCUC’s membership now includes more than 200 credit unions serving over 40 million members nationwide – a coalition that spans traditional defense credit unions, community institutions, SEG-based lenders, and CDFIs.

While DCUC’s foundation is rooted in defense, its advocacy now extends across every major legislative and regulatory issue facing credit unions today. 

In other words, DCUC tackles the challenges all credit unions face, not only those tied to the armed forces. DCUC stays focused on “the broad priorities every credit union faces—regulatory relief, legislative challenges, and industry growth.”

DCUC’s advocacy portfolio is wide-ranging: from tax-status protection to interchange, from CFPB overreach to NCUA reform. It maintains a close liaison with key policymakers, from Capitol Hill to the NCUA, to champion the common interests of all credit unions. And importantly, its team brings unmatched expertise in navigating both defense-specific and universal industry issues.

Cross-Sector Advocacy in Action

DCUC has proven time and again that its advocacy benefits every credit union.

When the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) threatened to harm interchange income and member security, DCUC led the charge alongside other national trade associations to keep the bill out of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). DCUC warned Congress that the proposal – marketed as “pro-competition” – would instead force institutions to route transactions through less secure networks, increasing fraud risk and reducing card rewards. The House passed its NDAA without the CCCA provisions, a win that DCUC proudly claimed for all credit unions and their members.

DCUC has also been at the forefront of fighting regulatory overreach. It regularly pushes NCUA to streamline compliance burdens and modernize outdated rules, especially for smaller institutions. In recent letters, DCUC urged regulators to extend implementation timelines and lower capital thresholds that disproportionately hurt small and midsize credit unions. As I’ve said in those filings, “DCUC stands ready to assist in advancing reforms that balance safety, soundness, and consumer protection with reduced regulatory burden.”

And when bankers reignite calls to end the credit union tax exemption, DCUC doesn’t sit back. We’ve led efforts to remind Congress that credit unions returned nearly $27 billion in direct benefits to members last year – savings that go straight to working families and veterans, not shareholders. As DCUC President/CEO Anthony Hernandez wrote earlier this year, “This is our moment to rally…DCUC stands ready to lead – so that credit unions not only survive, but thrive for generations to come.”

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Real-World Proof: Community Credit Unions Joining Forces

The inclusive, industry-wide mission of DCUC isn’t just talk; it’s reflected in the ranks of its members and their success stories. Credit unions outside the traditional defense space are finding tremendous value in DCUC’s advocacy and expertise.

Why would a community credit union with no direct military field of membership care about defense issues? Because military families and veterans live in every American community. They are small business owners, first responders, and community leaders – often members of your credit union. 

DCUC’s expertise in serving these populations enriches its advocacy for all credit unions. Some may assume DCUC is only for credit unions serving on or near bases, but this concept is far from reality. Every credit union can benefit from DCUC’s insights, resources, and relentless representation in Washington.

Standing United to Strengthen Our Future

Supporting small credit unions isn’t about charity, it’s about strengthening the entire ecosystem. DCUC understands that when we uplift the smallest institutions, we reinforce the cooperative ideals that define us. As I’ve often said, the survival of small credit unions is directly tied to the credibility of our industry’s story.

If we wake up tomorrow and only a handful of massive credit unions remain, the rationale for our tax benefits will erode under billion-dollar balance sheets. Losing small credit unions doesn’t just harm their members; it undermines the movement’s legitimacy. DCUC fights to ensure smaller institutions stay in the game, and that policymakers understand why they matter.

Our inclusive advocacy ensures that issues disproportionately affecting smaller and mid-sized credit unions get the attention they deserve. From CRA expansion to overdraft regulation to privacy laws, DCUC leads with a balanced agenda that benefits every institution – large or small. When we speak, we speak for 100% of the movement.

A Call for Unity and Openness

The decision of which associations to support with your credit union’s dues is about more than networking or tradition; it’s about aligning with the values and vision that will carry our movement forward. DCUC offers a fresh, inclusive approach that is built for defense but truly open to all.

If your credit union has even one veteran in its field of membership (and nearly all do), you’re eligible to join DCUC. There are no barriers, no permission needed from any other trade group. Many credit unions choose to belong to DCUC alongside other affiliations, gaining a sharper advocacy edge that complements their broader memberships.

DCUC truly lives up to its credo: the most attainable, effective, and comprehensive support for all credit unions nationwide. It’s not an exclusive club, it’s a mission-driven community where every voice counts equally. By joining forces with DCUC, credit union leaders affirm that our movement is strongest when bigger doesn’t overshadow smaller, it uplifts it.

Built for defense, open to all – this isn’t just a tagline; it’s a roadmap for the future of credit union advocacy.

In a world of big challenges, the smart move is to link arms and face them together in a bigger boat. By being open to new partners like DCUC and supporting inclusive advocacy, we ensure the credit union difference not only survives but thrives for generations to come.