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Building off a strong 2017, NAFCU yesterday unveiled the 2018 priorities that will guide the association in its role as the credit union industry's top Washington watchdog. NAFCU's legislative and regulatory advocacy will focus on credit union growth, regulatory relief, a fair playing field, increased regulatory transparency and a strong NCUA.

"At NAFCU, our main priority is advocating for the best interests of all federally-insured credit unions at the federal level. We are your Washington watchdog," said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. "In other words, our main priority is you. We are committed to the credit union industry and will continue to seek your input throughout the coming year."

To that end, Berger outlined NAFCU's priorities for 2018 in an email to members yesterday, including:

• creating a legislative and regulatory environment that allows credit unions to grow;
• seeking appropriate, tailored rules for credit unions as well as legislative and regulatory relief from growing burdens;
• ensuring a fair playing field – through regulatory and legislative processes – so credit unions have as many opportunities as banks and non-regulated entities to provide provident credit to the nation's consumers;
• supporting transparency and independent oversight of all regulators, including the CFPB; and
• maintaining a strong, independent NCUA as the primary regulator for credit unions.

Read NAFCU's full priorities and the issues that will be addressed under each here.

NAFCU and the credit union industry achieved many regulatory and legislative wins in 2017. Congress left the credit union tax exemption intact throughout the tax reform process, the NCUA was kept out of the congressional appropriations process, and the CFPB is delaying or reconsidering rules that would have increased the burden on credit unions.

Those achievements were paired with the advocacy efforts of NAFCU and its member credit unions throughout the year:

• NAFCU's grassroots action saw a 315 percent increase over the previous year;
• NAFCU representatives testified on Capitol Hill nine times on issues critical to credit unions, including risk-based capital, housing finance reform and cybersecurity; and
• NAFCU and its members held more than 30 meetings with key administration officials, legislators and regulators, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

NAFCU will work to build upon those achievements and relationships throughout 2018 to ensure credit unions can continue to thrive.