WASHINGTON, DC (March 16, 2026) |
Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) sent a letter to leaders of the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee urging for the Housing for the 21st Century Act to quickly move to a conference committee. DCUC encouraged that the final package include several bipartisan credit union provisions that would further strengthen access to credit, improve financial stability, and support the millions of servicemembers, veterans, and families served by credit unions.
“In many military and rural communities, credit unions are the primary financial institutions helping families purchase homes, start small businesses, and build financial stability,” DCUC wrote.
“As Congress works to finalize this important housing legislation, the conference process presents an opportunity to incorporate several commonsense reforms that will strengthen community-based lending and enhance financial resilience. DCUC respectfully urges inclusion of the following bipartisan credit union priorities.”
DCUC President/CEO Anthony Hernandez shares the importance of ensuring credit unions are included as Congress finalizes the legislation:
“Credit unions continue to serve an integral role in supporting financial stability for many communities across the country. As Congress works to finalize this housing package, we have a real opportunity to strengthen community lending and remove outdated barriers that limit how credit unions can serve their members. Including these bipartisan reforms will expand responsible access to credit while reinforcing the financial resilience of the communities that depend on credit unions every day.”
On behalf of DCUC, Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak urged lawmakers to include several key bipartisan reforms in the final legislation, including:
Credit Union Board Modernization Act (H.R. 975 / S. 522): Allows federal credit union boards to meet at least six times per year rather than twelve, reducing unnecessary administrative burdens while maintaining appropriate oversight.
Veterans Member Business Loan Act (H.R. 507 / S. 110): Exempts loans to veteran-owned businesses from the current 12.25% member business lending cap, expanding access to capital for veteran entrepreneurs.
NCUA Central Liquidity Facility Enhancements Act (S. 2545 / S. 3575): Restores the ability of corporate credit unions to act as agents for smaller institutions, strengthening the credit union system’s emergency liquidity backstop.
Credit Union Loan Flexibility Act (H.R. 4167 / S. 3616): Extends the allowable maturity for certain credit union loans from 15 to 20 years, supporting housing development and long-term community investment.
Stverak noted that including these reforms in the final Housing for the 21st Century Act would strengthen community-based lending and expand responsible credit access for families across the country who rely on credit unions.