NASCUS Dual Charter Resource Initiative
In 2021, NASCUS launched the Dual Charter Resources Initiative (DCRI), a sponsorship opportunity for credit union system stakeholders who value a vibrant dual-chartering system.
The state-charter option provides meaningful benefits to the credit union system. State charter advances benefit the entire credit union system, from state and federal regulators to state and federally chartered credit unions and their members. NASCUS brings together regulators, state and federal credit unions, leagues, CUSOs, and other system stakeholders to work collaboratively to strengthen the dual chartering system and ensure the competitiveness of the state charter. The DCRI was created to provide stakeholders a way to provide additional resources to fund projects and initiatives that support the movement’s future viability.
The vitality of the dual-chartering system faces several challenges today. Without focused attention and resources dedicated to mitigating these points of friction, the effectiveness of the charter system will come under severe pressure. Challenges include:
- Federal-State Oversight Balance
- State-Charters Competitiveness
- State Resource Pressures & Credit Union Complexity
- Federal Deregulation Initiatives Benefitting FCUs
The Dual Charter Resource Initiative solicits support from NASCUS members (including credit unions, leagues, and CUSOs) and system partners seeking to support the credit union movement. The benefits of the DCRI will accrue to the entire credit union system by helping to ensure that a healthy, dynamic, and lasting state charter option sustains well into the future.
Initiatives & Resources
“Benefits of the State Charter” Guides: These side-by-side comparisons between a state’s credit union charter and the federal charter enable users to assess the relative advantages and disadvantages of a given state charter versus the federal charter. The comparisons arm credit unions with initial information to affirm or question their choice and/or enable credit unions and state leagues to advocate for changes to either their state charter or the federal charter. The list of completed state benefit guides is available here.
The State Credit Union Legislative Digest: This digest focuses on select state bills critical to strengthening state credit union codes. The Digest will provide state regulators, state legislators, state leagues, and credit unions across the nation with a curated repository of state legislative research and bill language to assist in the preparation of legislation on key credit union powers, including field of membership, public deposits, parity, member business lending, private share insurance, interstate branching, investment authority, and other priorities as they emerge.
State Credit Union Act Reviews: Increasingly, state supervisory agencies and state leagues have turned to NASCUS for assistance in reviewing and rewriting state credit union statutes. NASCUS’s research and collaboration with these member partners help to ensure states maintain modern and competitive charters into the future.
Credit Union x State Regulators Exchange Meeting: The Exchange is an issues-driven annual event that brings CEOs of state and federal credit unions with assets of more than $10 billion together with regulators from states with the most progressive state credit union charters to illuminate emerging issues and trends that threaten the credit union charter’s status as the “charter of choice” whether for state or federal credit unions. NCUA and other federal regulators are invited to participate to foster state-federal regulator collaboration with industry.
Credit Unions & Regulators Engagement (CURE): The CURE is a solutions-driven annual dialogue that convenes CEOs of state-chartered credit unions with assets of $1 billion – $10 billion and state regulators from the most forward-thinking state agencies to delve into existing and emerging competitive challenges facing the state credit union system.
NASCUS White Papers: Original commissioned papers by NASCUS will provide a balanced and objective views on critical issues and challenges relevant to all state and federal credit unions. These solutions-based papers will foster collaboration with other credit union system organizations and will share expertise and thought leadership to advance the credit union system and better position NASCUS as an authority on credit union issues.
Monthly Free Member Webinars: NASCUS offers free webinars to our members each month on a wide range of timely topics, including artificial intelligence, succession planning, vendor risk, cybersecurity, the Genuis Act, and cannabis reclassification.
2026 Sponsors
NASCUS thanks its sponsors for their commitment to the Dual Charter Resource Initiative over the last five years. Their support has been instrumental in driving progress, and we truly appreciate their partnership.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Dual Charter Resource Initiative or are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact NASCUS CFO Doug McGuckin.