Cannabis & Hemp Financial Services eSchool 2026
Cannabis & Hemp Financial Services eSchool 2026
Overview
This four-session eSchool provides a practical overview of cannabis and hemp banking for credit unions. Whether your credit union currently serves cannabis- or hemp-related businesses or is evaluating whether to do so, this program helps participants understand the evolving compliance landscape, terminology, legal considerations, and operational risks associated with this growing industry.
What you’ll learn
- The differences between marijuana and hemp and why those distinctions matter for financial institutions
- How cannabis is treated under federal law compared to state medical and adult-use programs
- The impact of the 2018 Farm Bill and evolving hemp definitions on cultivation, products, and related businesses
- Key AML and BSA requirements, including SAR expectations, for cannabis- and hemp-related accounts
- How to apply FinCEN guidance when evaluating and monitoring cannabis customers
- Risk indicators, red flags, and due diligence considerations for cannabis and hemp lending
- How legislative and regulatory changes may affect credit unions serving this industry
This eSchool is ideal for credit union professionals involved in compliance, lending, business services, or senior management, especially those at institutions that currently serve or are considering serving cannabis- or hemp-related businesses.
Attendees of this event can earn CPE credits. Visit the Attendee Info tab for details.
This learning opportunity is part of the complete Center for Professional Development (CPD) eSchools & Webinars series. Subscribe to get access to this webinar or eSchool, along with over 80+ webinars & eSchools covering critical topics for you and all your staff.
Sessions
Monday, February 2, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CT
This session will provide a clear, practical overview of the rapidly evolving landscape for cannabis and hemp in the United States. We will distinguish “Cannabis” (a.k.a. “Marijuana”) from “Hemp,” explain how each is treated under federal and state law, and discuss key developments in the history of cannabis and hemp regulation, including the 2013 Cole Memorandum, the potential federal rescheduling of cannabis, the 2018 Farm Bill, and the recently amended definition of “Hemp.” We will also highlight recent cases, enforcement actions, and congressional proposals that are shaping the risk environment for financial institutions. This session is designed to provide credit union staff with a common vocabulary and baseline understanding that they can use when evaluating cannabis- and hemp-related transactions.
By the end of this session, participants should be able to:
- Differentiate between marijuana and hemp and explain why the distinction matters for financial institutions.
- Describe at a high level how marijuana is treated under federal law (including historic treatment under the Cole Memorandum and the potential rescheduling of Cannabis to Schedule III) versus how states regulate medical and adult-use programs.
- Summarize how the 2018 Farm Bill affected, and how the amended definition of “Hemp” will affect, hemp cultivation, products, and related businesses.
- Recognize the types of state and federal enforcement actions that have targeted intoxicating hemp-derived products and licensed/unlicensed cannabis operators.
- Identify how current congressional legislative proposals could alter the regulatory and risk landscape for credit unions serving cannabis and hemp businesses.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CT
This session focuses on the general compliance and risk considerations credit unions face when extending credit to cannabis- and hemp-related businesses. Building on the foundational cannabis/hemp concepts from the first session, we will walk through how Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) obligations—including Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) requirements—apply in this space. We will review the 2014 FinCEN Guidance to financial institutions serving cannabis-related businesses and discuss how it informs risk assessment, monitoring, and documentation for cannabis-related accounts. We will also address how the new federal definition of “Hemp” affects customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring, and credit decisions. This session is designed to help credit union staff understand what questions to ask and how to align lending practices with regulatory expectations.
- By the end of this session, participants should be able to:
- Explain how AML and BSA requirements, including SAR filing expectations, apply to lending and other services provided to cannabis- and hemp-related businesses.
- Apply key elements of the 2014 FinCEN Guidance to the evaluation and monitoring of cannabis-related customers.
- Assess how the revised federal definition of “Hemp” affects risk classification, due diligence requirements, and ongoing monitoring for hemp-related borrowers.
- Recognize red flags and risk indicators specific to cannabis and hemp lending that may warrant enhanced review, escalation, or SAR filing.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CT
This session outlines the various issues in developing a cannabis lending program from a credit union BSA/AML perspective. It will delve into complex compliance issues, such as how to lend to a Tier II or Ancillary cannabis business. We will also discuss underwriting issues in making commercial loans to the industry as well as explore how underwriting and compliance often intertwine.
Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CT
This session will explore the risks and rewards of serving the cannabis industry. Attendees will learn the nuts and bolts of building a compliant cannabis banking program for their credit union. They will hear insights on reputation risk, cash management, and fee strategy. Attendees will also leave with an understanding of the latest FinCEN Guidance.
Pricing & Registration
Virtual price includes access to On Demand.
Members in multiple categories receive the lowest price.
Member discounts
All credit unions are invited to register for this event. Members receive a significant discount.
Additional discounts available to member credit unions:
- Less than $50 million in assets save 20%
- Council members save 25%
- League staff save 20%
- Multi-Attendee discount - Register four attendees and get the 5th free
Please include all registrations in the same order for the discount to apply
Only one discount can be applied per registration. If a registration qualifies for more than one discount, the highest-value discount will be applied.
Other non-credit union attendees should contact us to confirm eligibility.
Need help accessing member pricing? Contact 800-356-9655 or hello@americascreditunions.org.
Attendee Info
Code of Conduct
We want everyone's event experience to be welcoming, respectful, and safe.
How to access
America’s Credit Unions hosts events on the following platforms:
Zoom: All live and hybrid virtual events, eSchools, and webinars are hosted on Zoom, a web conferencing platform that supports live, interactive sessions. Some on-demand events are also hosted on Zoom.
Vimeo: Some on-demand hybrid and virtual events, eSchools, and webinars are hosted on Vimeo, a video streaming platform.
Whether this is your first time attending a webinar or eSchool, or you simply need a refresher, review these helpful steps and frequently asked questions below.
Access instructions for webinars and eSchools
Virtual cancellations
All cancellations must be received in writing. Please provide a brief explanation for the cancellation and submit via email to hello@americascreditunions.org. Cancellations received more than 7 days prior to the event are subject to a 25% administrative fee on the order total. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received on or after 7 days prior to the event. Substitutions are accepted prior to the start of the program. Additional costs may apply. Please provide the event name, current participant, and new participant name to hello@americascreditunions.org.
On Demand cancellations
Once a purchase is completed, it is considered final. We do not offer refunds or exchanges for these products unless they are defective or not as described. Defective Products: If you receive a defective product, please contact us within 48 hours of receipt. We will arrange for a replacement or provide a refund at our discretion. Incorrect Item Received: If you receive an incorrect item, notify us within 48 hours of delivery. We will provide instructions for returning the item and issue a refund or replacement. For all questions, please contact hello@americascreditunions.org.
CPE details
In order to be awarded the full credit hours, you must attend each live session and complete the polling questions.
|
Live participants will earn |
Field of study |
Delivery method |
|---|---|---|
4.0 CPE credits |
Regulatory Ethics - Technical |
Group Internet-Based |
America’s Credit Unions is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
