Skip to main content

Posts

Cutting Through The Stablecoin Noise—What Credit Unions Actually Need To Know Now

By Ray Birch DOVER, Del.—By any measure, stablecoins have quickly become one of the most talked-about—and least understood—topics in credit union boardrooms. The pressure to “do something” is building, fueled by headlines, fintech momentum and a growing fear of being left behind. But according to InvestiFi CEO Kian Sarreshteh, that urgency may be misplaced. “There’s a lot of FOMO right now,” Sarreshteh said. “If I don’t adopt a stablecoin solution this year, I’m going to be left behind. I would argue pretty strongly that’s very far from the truth.” Instead of rushing to sign up for a Stablecoin pilot, Sarreshteh said credit unions should begin with a more fundamental question: what problem are you actually trying to solve? While stablecoins are often discussed as a potential challenger to traditional payment rails dominated by Visa and Mastercard, he believes that kind of mass-market disruption remains years away—especially in the U.S., where consumers already have fast, convenient opt...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»
Recent posts

Senate Banking To Vote Thursday On Landmark Digital Assets Bill

“NCOFCU appreciates the Senate Banking Committee’s continued work during next week’s markup hearing to establish a clear and responsible regulatory framework for digital assets,” said the National Council of Fire Fighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU) leadership. “As lawmakers consider this legislation, it is essential that first responder credit unions are recognized as a vital part of the financial services ecosystem and are not overlooked in the evolving digital asset landscape. Credit unions serving police, fire, EMS, and other emergency personnel must have equitable access to innovation, regulatory clarity, and the tools necessary to continue supporting the financial readiness and resilience of America’s first responders.” Grant Sheehan CEO WASHINGTON—The Senate Banking Committee will vote on the long-awaited CLARITY Act this Thursday, Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) announced Friday. Tim Scott The announcement marks a potentially major step forward for legislation that would establis...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

The Most Overlooked Growth Opportunity in First Responder Credit Unions

Credit unions spend enormous amounts of time, energy, and marketing dollars trying to acquire new members. But many institutions — especially sponsor-based first responder credit unions — are sitting on one of the most valuable growth opportunities already inside their existing membership base. The joint owner population. Every day, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, dispatchers, and other first responders join credit unions through sponsor relationships. During account opening, spouses or partners are often added as joint owners for convenience. They help manage the household finances. They use the debit card. They log into online banking. They interact with the credit union regularly. Yet in many cases, they never actually become full member-owners of the cooperative. They are connected to the institution — but not fully part of it. And that creates a major strategic opportunity. Why Joint Owner Conversion Matters For sponsor-based credit unions, converting joint owners into full m...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Discussions Reportedly Underway Over Allowing Donations of Co. Stock to Trump Accounts for Kids

WASHINGTON — White House and Treasury Department officials are discussing whether to expand the Trump administration’s new investment accounts for American children to allow donations of individual company stock. The accounts, formally known as Section 530A accounts and referred to by supporters as “Trump accounts,” are scheduled to begin accepting contributions on July 4, The New York Times reported. The program has already received billions of dollars in philanthropic commitments. Under current rules, the accounts are limited to cash investments placed into diversified index funds. According to The New York Times, administration officials are now considering whether wealthy individuals could instead donate shares of their companies directly into the accounts. The proposal has reportedly been championed by venture capitalist Brad Gerstner, founder of Altimeter Capital, who helped develop the 530A account initiative. Gerstner has discussed the idea with administration officials, The Ne...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

ACU Calls For Full Political Engagement As Election Cycle Heats Up, Warns Of Well-Funded Opposition

  WASHINGTON--Credit unions need every advocacy resource at their disposal, and in an election year, that means supporting credit union champions, America’s Credit Unions emphasized. ACU President/CEO Scott Simpson and Head of Political Affairs Trey Hawkins outlined credit unions’ role in supporting those champions in the 120th Congress as the 2026 election cycle resumes with primaries next week. Scott Simpson “It’s important that we defend those who defend us, that we help those who help us,” Simpson said, referring to policymakers who have supported the credit union tax status and regulatory relief, while opposing new interchange mandates, to name a few issues. “This is an opportunity for us to lean in, to marshal all the available resources that we can. Our counterparts in the for-profit financial space, those who are devoted to harming us, can vastly out-resource us.” Hawkins shared potential outcomes for control of chambers of Congress, but noted credit unions have support reg...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Birth of the Weekend

  Birth of the Weekend   Today marks 100 years since Ford Motor Company became one of the first American companies to officially adopt the five-day, 40-hour workweek for factory workers, a decision that reshaped work-life balance. Henry Ford’s idea to eliminate Saturday from the workweek initially met hesitation from some hourly workers worried about reduced pay. However, his daily wages of $5 to $6—roughly double the industry average—helped to ease concerns ( read 1920s reactions ). Ford reportedly redirected Saturday wages to hire thousands more people for Monday through Friday shifts, reducing unemployment. The move also boosted productivity, reduced turnover, strengthened morale, and gave workers more leisure time, some of which they spent buying and traveling in Ford cars.  The US formally codified the 40-hour workweek in 1940, mandating overtime pay for hourly employees. More recently, momentum has grown aro...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

How did the Supreme Court become so powerful?

  A court designed to be the least powerful branch became one of the most influential institutions in history. 1440 Explores host Sony Kassam dives inside the Supreme Court of the United States, with help from Yale Law professor Akhil Reed Amar, to uncover how it gained extraordinary authority, what really happens behind closed doors, and why its power has become one of the most fiercely contested questions in modern democracy. ================================================= Remember, you're not alone with  NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: Annual Conference First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Advocacy  
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»