August 24, 2026
Between the Supreme Court's recent ruling that brought implications for future NCUA leadership, a new NCUA Board nominee and the ongoing discussions around digital asset legislation, Washington, D.C. has been abuzz with moves that affect credit unions nationwide. So how can credit union leaders make sense of it all?
We recently asked several leaders from third-party credit union technology service providers to share their thoughts on the current regulatory environment for credit unions from a fintech perspective, and they had a lot to say. Here, you will find insights from Chris Poor, vice president of strategic solutions for Quinte Financial Technologies.
How would you describe the current regulatory environment in Washington for credit unions, and what feels different about this policy cycle compared to 2025?
In 2025, many credit unions were in a wait-and-see mode as the industry worked through the transition in Washington and tried to understand where regulatory priorities would land. This year feels different because we're starting to see the NCUA's Deregulation Project, launched in 2025, gain momentum. Combined with Executive Order 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation," credit unions are generally benefiting from an environment where regulators increasingly view the cooperative, member-centric model as lower risk.
The NCUA’s 2026 Supervisory Priorities Letter reinforced this shift by emphasizing risk-based, tailored examinations rather than a one-size-fits-all supervisory approach. The CFPB and other regulators have also shifted away from broad rulemaking toward more targeted enforcement focused on consumer harm. Regulators are signaling support for innovation, AI, and emerging financial technologies, but many institutions are still seeking clarity on the boundaries for ensuring appropriate governance, risk controls, and consumer protections.
Reduced regulatory barriers are also creating opportunities for fintech and crypto firms to pursue bank charters and compete more directly with traditional depository institutions. Credit unions are also facing growing pressure from interchange-related legislation, which could have meaningful implications for non-interest income.
When it comes specifically to regulation concerning fintech, including stablecoins, digital assets and broader fintech oversight, what are the top issues credit union leaders should be watching right now?
Credit union leaders should be closely watching whether emerging stablecoin and digital asset frameworks create new opportunities for credit unions to compete with banks on payment rails and treasury-related business now that greater parity may exist. Institutions considering deeper involvement in these ecosystems should watch rulemaking opportunities and engage early in the regulatory process.
Another important issue is the continued pursuit of bank charters by fintech and crypto firms. Credit unions will need to understand how regulators approach charter approvals and what that means for future competition with more nontraditional players.
Institutions should also pay attention to fintech oversight and third-party risk. Cases involving prominent banks highlight how quickly fintech partnerships can create regulatory challenges. Credit unions should be studying these situations to understand what went wrong, how regulators responded, and what controls could prevent similar outcomes.
Looking at the rulemaking and policy environment, what are the top two or three regulatory issues credit union CEOs should be paying close attention to over the next 6–12 months?
CEOs should closely monitor the governance and risk management expectations emerging around artificial intelligence. Credit unions should evaluate how much capital and operational investment will be required if they move aggressively into AI, particularly when governance, oversight, and potential exposure events are factored into the equation.
Credit union leaders should also track how the NCUA’s Deregulation Project ultimately unfolds and whether it delivers meaningful regulatory relief. These issues have the potential to reshape how credit unions compete, generate revenue, and serve members.
Moreover, leadership changes and developments at the NCUA board will be important to watch, as they could influence supervisory priorities, the pace of deregulation efforts, and the agency’s overall policy direction.
–By Chris Poor
VP of Strategic Solutions, Quinte
VP of Strategic Solutions, Quinte
Source: This article was originally published in Credit Union Times.
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