America’s Credit Unions Compliance Assistance Program ready to help, but many members are unaware of it

America's Credit Unions offers member credit unions compliance assistance that thousands don't realize exists, providing expert regulatory compliance guidance within 24 to 48 hours at no additional cost beyond membership. The organization's compliance blog and assistance program function as an extension of understaffed compliance departments, particularly benefiting smaller institutions with limited resources.

Whether you're the sole compliance officer at your credit union or splitting your time between compliance and other roles, you already know the reality: your department is understaffed, regulations keep evolving, and there's never enough time to stay ahead of every challenge.

You're not alone. Even the largest financial institutions face compliance staffing challenges, according to Marilyn Barker, head of compliance at America's Credit Unions. What many compliance professionals don't realize is that help already exists through their America's Credit Unions membership. It's significantly underutilized, especially by smaller institutions that need it most.

"It's amazing when I go out to various conferences how many people who are members don't know that we have this resource available," Barker said during a recent interview. The compliance team receives hundreds of questions annually from member credit unions, yet only 12% come from small credit unions, while institutions with more than $1 billion in assets account for 61% of inquiries.

Member benefit includes expertise at no additional cost

America's Credit Unions operates a Compliance Assistance Program available to all member credit unions at no additional cost. Keith Schostag, director of federal compliance, describes the service as functioning like "50% of a compliance officer." It provides research and regulatory guidance, everything except telling you exactly how to apply the rules to your specific operations.

The process works simply: compliance professionals send questions to compliance@americascreditunions.org, and a team member will respond within 24 to 48 business hours. Every question receives individual attention from experienced compliance attorneys who translate complex regulatory language into actionable information.

"We're free. We're fast. So just check us out," Schostag said. "If you need a second opinion, or, you just need a gut check on something you've already researched, we're here."

The expertise behind the answers

The compliance team brings decades of combined experience from multiple sectors of financial regulation. Barker has worked at the Federal Reserve, the SEC, FinCEN, large law firms, and in-house at various financial companies. Team member Valerie Moss has spent more than 25 years specializing in Bank Secrecy Act compliance at America's Credit Unions and its predecessor organization. Other team members have worked at law firms, mortgage lenders, consulting firms, and credit unions.

This depth of knowledge addresses the most common questions compliance officers face: Regulation E error resolution procedures, anti-money laundering requirements, and fair credit reporting issues consistently rank among the top inquiries. The team recently launched a Compliance 101 series specifically targeting difficult topics, beginning with Regulation E, which presents ongoing challenges for institutions of all sizes.

Beyond individual questions: resources for ongoing education

The Compliance Blog publishes twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, focusing on current compliance topics. Recent posts have addressed executive orders affecting credit unions, often publishing guidance within two to three days of new regulations taking effect.

"Compliance is always understaffed. I don't care whether it's a credit union, a bank, or whatever financial institution it is," Barker explained. "Compliance people have multiple hats. They're also doing other jobs, too. So, their time is very compressed."

This reality makes readily accessible resources particularly valuable. The team also produces white papers and playbooks on complex topics, recently publishing guidance on regulatory changes that affect credit unions transitioning between asset-size thresholds and requirements for converting from state to federal charters.

Membership benefits designed for institutions without extensive budgets

Member credit unions, particularly smaller institutions, typically lack extensive training budgets or dedicated compliance staff, making these included resources especially critical. The compliance team understands these constraints and designs content accordingly, focusing on practical guidance that busy professionals can implement without requiring external consultants or legal review.

The team also makes itself available for conference presentations, roundtable discussions, and specific credit union requests. Recent presentations have addressed topics ranging from federal immigration enforcement scenarios to privacy implications of evolving open banking regulations.

While the service cannot provide legal advice or tell institutions which specific course of action to take (limitations required by bar membership and client relationship structures), it offers the research foundation that compliance professionals need to make informed decisions.

Taking the next step

Member credit union compliance professionals looking to leverage these resources can start by subscribing to the Compliance Blog or sending specific questions to the Compliance Assistance Program inbox. The team participates in the small credit union subcommittee and maintains a regular presence at industry conferences, including the Government Affairs Conference.

For member institutions stretched thin by regulatory demands and limited staffing, these resources represent practical support that already exists through membership. The challenge isn't accessing expertise. It's simply knowing to ask.

Access the Compliance blog, the new Compliance 101 series, and more by visiting the Compliance section on the America's Credit Unions website.