Credit unions remain focused on their policy priorities as administration actions bring changes to Washington, D.C.  That’s the message America’s Credit Unions Chief Advocacy Officer Carrie Hunt shared in several media outlets this week. Hunt addressed what the actions—including a recent executive order on executive branch agencies—mean for credit unions. 

In an interview with Credit Union Times, Hunt shared insights on long-term changes, effects on the NCUA, and more. 

“There is a lot of change, but what those real changes are and what that looks like long term, we're obviously still trying to figure out,” said Hunt. “America's Credit Unions is focused on what we're hearing from our members, focusing on those core priorities and making sure that the administration understands those. And there are many, many things that we are aligned on relative to regulatory relief for credit unions.”

America’s Credit Unions supports NCUA’s status as an independent regulator able to effectively oversee and regulate credit unions. Hunt noted continuing down the current road would mean “either we will end up with a set of rules that are very politically tied to the goals of the administration, or we will have likely no action.”

She added that credit unions will continue to advocate beyond Congress, “ensuring that the administration understands the credit union difference, ensuring that we can work with any administration is incredibly important and has always been part of our lobbying efforts. 

Hunt provided a statement to American Banker for its immediate coverage of the executive order, noting it could “change the rulemaking process dramatically.”

American Banker covered the continuing tax fight in an article published Thursday morning, with Hunt highlighting how credit unions earn their tax status by serving a distinctive role from banks. 

"A lot of the banker arguments relative to competition and unfair advantage and other things are just rhetoric because we have a very different business model, very different investment authorities," said Hunt. "There are real limitations on the credit union business model." 

America’s Credit Unions continues to track executive orders and other administration actions that may affect credit unions.