Mountain West Credit Union Association issues statement on SAFE Banking Act’s removal from NDAA
DENVER, CO (December 10, 2021) — On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, the House Rules Committee amended the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) excluding the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act. The SAFE Banking Act would allow the financial services industry to do business with licensed marijuana retailers and require those financial institutions to subject any funds to anti-money laundering requirements.
“The Mountain West Credit Association is disappointed that yet again, this legislation, which provides important protections for our credit unions that wish to provide financial services to legal entities in their states, has failed to make it past the Committee,” said Scott Earl, President & CEO. “As financial services providers serving nearly 4 million members in Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming, credit unions play a central role in our communities by fulfilling banking needs that may not be otherwise available.”
Currently, however, we cannot serve an industry that generates several billion dollars in sales and tax revenues—the recreational cannabis industry— without substantial risk due to ongoing uncertainty over federal enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act. This has become not only a states’ rights issue, but an important public safety issue. Without access to standard banking services, some of these companies have had to come up with alternative solutions. Many are unable to undertake the most basic functions of successful businesses, such as paying vendors, employees, and taxes, but instead have large amounts of money unsecured, unaccountable and at risk for abuse.
The SAFE Banking Act would provide the safe harbor we need as financial services providers to service this growing industry and protect our members and the taxpayers of our states. This is a matter independent of the question of legalization of cannabis and is about ensuring that legal businesses have the basic financial services they need for compliance and accountability.
We thank those in our congressional delegation who are championing the effort and urge Congress to pass the SAFE Banking Act in the very near future.
About Mountain West Credit Union Association
The Mountain West Credit Union Association is the regional trade association representing member credit unions, 4.2 million credit union members and $65 billion in assets throughout Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming. Founded in 2011, the Mountain West Credit Union Association serves and supports the interests of member credit unions through advocacy, community outreach, education and training, public affairs, regulatory and compliance services, and strategic partnerships. Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/mwcua, Facebook at facebook.com/mwcua and Instagram at instagram.com/mwcua. To learn more visit mwcua.com.
