Live From Hike the Hill

Throughout the week, participants are discussing several legislative and regulatory priorities that will shape the future of the credit union industry. Key issues include preserving the credit union tax status and member-owned cooperative model, protecting the nation’s electronic payments system, advancing solutions to combat financial fraud, supporting a clear regulatory framework for digital assets, and promoting balanced regulatory oversight.

Protecting consumers from financial fraud remains a top priority. Credit unions are encouraging lawmakers to modernize fraud prevention laws by providing financial institutions with greater flexibility to identify and stop fraudulent transactions before losses occur; strengthening collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement; and developing a coordinated national strategy to address evolving fraud schemes.

Credit unions are also advocating for digital asset market structure legislation that establishes clear regulatory standards while allowing credit unions to responsibly offer services such as digital asset custody under appropriate oversight. Supporters say a comprehensive framework would strengthen consumer protections, provide regulatory certainty, and ensure credit unions can compete alongside other regulated financial institutions as digital assets continue to evolve.

Another key priority is preserving a safe, secure, and competitive electronic payments system. Credit unions continue to oppose proposals that would alter the current payments framework or impose credit card interest rate caps, arguing those changes could reduce access to affordable credit, limit consumer choice, and disproportionately affect community-based financial institutions and the members they serve.

Participants are also discussing reforms to improve accountability and oversight at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Credit unions support reforms that strengthen transparency and governance while ensuring the agency remains focused on protecting consumers without limiting access to financial products and services.

Cornerstone will continue to provide updates throughout Hike the Hill, including highlights from meetings with lawmakers, federal regulators, and other policymakers, as well as developments on the federal issues affecting credit unions across the Cornerstone region.