First-responder Credit Union Newsroom

  Gen Z’s faith in traditional institutions gives credit unions a rich opportunity to serve as a key source of financial guidance. Sponsored Content By Adrenaline, Inc. Credit unions can strengthen loyalty with the influential Generation Z by connecting their brand’s purpose, financial guidance, and in-branch experience. Widely described as digital natives, Gen Z meets many of their everyday banking needs with mobile apps and digital tools across multiple providers. While younger consumers certainly expect seamless digital functionality from their primary financial provider, what they value even more is meaningful advice and trusting relationships. Because beneath Gen Z’s technological savvy is a measurable confidence gap —  one that impacts every aspect of their financial lives. According to  Adrenaline’s 2026 Gen Z research  conducted with Alexander Babbage, 36% of Gen Z say they find financial matters confusing, and one in three report feeling overwhelmed by money...

  PLANO, Texas— A new federal tax deduction allowing consumers to deduct interest on qualifying auto loans is being billed as a borrower benefit, but newly issued regulations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service show the program will impose significant compliance and reporting obligations on credit unions and other auto lenders. That’s the assessment of Brian Turner, president and chief economist with Meridian Economics, who said the rules governing the so-called auto loan interest deduction are “far more technical” than initially described and will require system and process changes for many finance providers, including credit unions active in indirect and direct auto lending. Deduction Comes With Detailed Conditions Brian Turner Under the proposed regulations, interest is deductible only if the loan and vehicle meet strict criteria. The vehicle must weigh less than 14,000 pounds, be designed for public road use, be newly placed in service by t...

At the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), credit union leaders heard a clear message: stablecoins are rapidly evolving from a niche crypto tool into a core component of modern payments infrastructure. Stablecoins are digital tokens typically pegged to a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar and backed by reserves such as cash or short-term Treasury securities. Initially used mostly inside cryptocurrency markets, they are now increasingly being viewed as a faster and more efficient way to move money globally . Why Stablecoins Matter The technology offers several potential advantages over traditional payment systems: 24/7 settlement instead of banking-hour restrictions Faster cross-border payments with fewer intermediaries Lower transaction costs compared with legacy payment rails Greater transparency and programmability in how funds move These capabilities are why banks, fintechs, and large financial institutions are beginning to explore stablecoins as part o...

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has begun answering a key question for credit unions since the GENIUS Act became law last July: What is the stablecoin licensing process? On February 11, 2026, the NCUA published a  22-page proposed rule , "Investments in and Licensing of Permitted Payment Stablecoins Issuers," in the Federal Register. This document outlines the framework for credit union participation under the new Act. The NCUA has a deadline of July 18, 2026, to finalize this rule. Here’s what credit unions need to know now. Quick background: The GENIUS Act and the NCUA’s role The GENIUS Act designated the NCUA as a primary federal regulator of stablecoin, alongside the FDIC, the OCC, and the Federal Reserve. Credit unions can't issue stablecoins directly; they must operate through subsidiaries, typically CUSOs, that apply for and obtain an NCUA-issued Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuer (PPSI) license. The newly proposed rule covers the application and l...