PRESERVED THE DUAL-CHARTER SYSTEM
We advocated for fair/efficient California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) exams.
2025 was a year of growth and impact for California’s Credit Unions, driving real change for credit unions and their members across the state. By providing practical solutions in advocacy, compliance, education, communications, and strategic and social initiatives, we’ve equipped leaders and volunteers to make a meaningful financial difference in their members’ lives. As 2025 comes to a close, the focus turns to making 2026 even stronger, with lasting influence in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and communities across the state.
Failed:
AB 1365 (CalAccount Program)
AB 1065 (Interchange Fees on Sales Tax)
Held:
AB 909 (Elder Fraud Liability Shift)
AB 801 (California Community Reinvestment Act or CRA)
Held on suspense, moved, or vetoed:
Precise Geolocation (AB 322)
Surveillance Pricing (AB 446)
Automated Decision Systems (SB 7)
Held or vetoed:
5 artificial intelligence/automated decision system (ADS) bills successfully.
4 price/algorithm bills stopped.
Signed into law:
Mortgage Forbearance (AB 238)
Data Breach Notification (SB 446)
Mitigated and negotiated:
Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Mitigation
Insurance Consumer Privacy (SB 354)
16 burdensome bills defended against.
3,120 hours spent on state advocacy lobbying.
92 direct meetings with state legislators during state lobby day (Government Relations Rally — GRR).
Supported members testified in opposition to interchange during GRR.
For a detailed recap, click here.
Washington, D.C.
More than
votes, co-sponsorships, and signatures secured on key credit union priorities
California Legislators lead
nationwide credit union priorities
Successfully signed
bills into law
*Less than 0.3% of bills were signed into law this year
MILLION
in tax savings in California for the industry, preserving the credit union tax exemption
For a detailed report, click here.
ENGAGED IN NINE CU PRIORITIES
• This year, out of 10,649 bills introduced, only 36 were signed into law — FOUR of those bills benefit credit unions — an outstanding achievement.
• Four priorities successfully mitigated or signed into law:
1) Credit union tax exemption defended
2) GENIUS Act signed into law
3) Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act signed into law
4) Repeal of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Overdraft Rule
• Five nationwide credit union priorities led by Californians in Congress:
1) Credit Union Board Modernization Act
2) Central Liquidity Facility
3) Enhancements Act
4) SUPPLY Act
5) Fought for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) program funding Modernization Act
98 MEETINGS
• With California members of Congress during the Governmental Affairs Conference and Hike The Hill.
• 2,000-plus hours on federal advocacy lobbying efforts.
PROTECTED TAX EXEMPTION & CERTAINTY
• Senator Alex Padilla introduced the only Senate amendment nationwide to protect the credit union tax exemption.
• Nine members of Congress from California signed an important bipartisan letter to the House Ways and Means Committee.
• Established a federal framework for U.S. payment stablecoins.
• Championed consumers via the Homebuyer Privacy Protection Act.
• Repealed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Overdraft Rule.
• 100 percent of California’s congressional delegation voted for the Credit Union Board Modernization Act.
• More than 341,371 messages sent to Washington, D.C. to preserve the credit union tax status.
• Over 200 in-person engagements with congressional offices.
• One California credit union CEO testified before a congressional committee.
SECURED A BRIGHTER FUTURE
• Secured meetings with congressional leadership.
• Heavily engaged with California members of the U.S. House and Senate.
• Provided guidance on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
BUILT PRESERVATION AND LEGACY
• Launched the first “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” Spanish campaign.
• Pledged nearly $1 million for the Cal State University DC Scholars Program Endowment.
• Held key leadership positions on regulatory and legislative advocacy committees.
$1 MILLION PLEDGED
• Toward the Cal State University DC Scholars Endowment.
Major PAC Accomplishments
Corporate contributions to the California State PAC, providing direct support for state legislative champions and defense.
Grassroots messages delivered. This record-breaking volume sent through the Connect For The Cause platform in California provided direct, personalized advocacy from members to elected officials — a more than 900 percent increase from last year.
Personal-dollar Contributions collected for the Federal PAC (October 2024 – September 2025) to educate, advocate, and build relationships.
MORE THAN 400 ENGAGEMENTS
Direct legislative engagements with key policymakers (over 300 with California state legislators and more than 100 with California members of Congress).
460 DEDICATED DONORS
Individual donors in California actively contributing personal dollars to the Federal PAC.
SECURED HISTORIC COMMITMENT
Historic member engagement and Political Action Committee (PAC) commitment.
STEPPED UP ENGAGEMENT
Magnified the depth of participation across the credit union community.
FOSTERED UNPRECEDENTED DEDICATION
A 53.5 percent participation rate of all credit unions in California contributing to the State PAC.
High-Impact Achievements
PRESERVED THE DUAL-CHARTER SYSTEM
We advocated for fair/efficient California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) exams.
SIX REGULATOR MEETINGS
With the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).
REPEALED & RESCINDED
Repealed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Overdraft Fee Rule and vacating of the Credit Card Late Fee Rule (April 2025). Rescinded the NCUA's public publication of overdraft/NSF fee income data for credit unions over $1 billion in assets.
HIGHLIGHTED THE FHLB’S ROLE
Highlighted the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco’s (FHLB) role as a low-cost liquidity partner and advocated for tools to increase California housing supply and lower mortgage rates.
SECURED PARITY & LIQUIDITY
Promoted the GENIUS Act framework for equal digital asset powers as banks.
Successfully preserved the current debit card interchange structure.
Advocated for equitable treatment in the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) certification process.
MITIGATED COMPLIANCE BURDENS
Opposed proposed California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) rules on automated decision-making and audits from the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA).
BLOCKED & DELAYED RULES
Secured a temporary Compliance Delay on the Small Business Lending 1071 rule.
Maintained existing limits on Regulation E fraud liability.
Initiated accelerated rulemaking to revise Section 1033.
PROVIDED REGULATORY RELIEF & GOVERNANCE
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) initiated the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act (EGRPRA) review to modernize/remove obsolete regulations.
Championed a full, bipartisan, three-member board and sustainable budgets.
Secured proposed federal credit union bylaw updates.
Education, Communications, & Impact
Empowering continuous learning and leadership growth across California’s credit union community.
Highlights:
Building stronger connections and delivering actionable insights directly to our members.
Highlights:
Keeping members informed, connected, and prepared for what’s next.
Highlights:
Expanding financial inclusion and fostering a culture of service.
Highlights:
To view the Social Impact Report, click here.