CDFI Fund and CDRLF Funding included in House Appropriations Committee FY26 bill

Credit union-backed priorities are included in the FY26 Financial Services and General Government bill advanced by the House Appropriations Committee late Wednesday. It contains funding for the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund and NCUA’s Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF). America’s Credit Unions has strongly advocated for both after being zeroed out in the White House’s FY26 budget proposal.

The CDFI Fund awards grants to assist affordable housing, homeownership, small business growth, and more through certified CDFIs. Credit unions make up the largest group of certified CDFIs with 444 of 1,375 as of August 12. The House bill funds it at $276.6 million for FY26.

The CDRLF funds technical assistance grants for credit unions. The House bill funds it at $3.4 million in FY26.

The bill also contains America’s Credit Unions-supported language to:

• Prevent the Small Business Administration from becoming a direct lender, based on legislation introduced in July by Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C.; and
• Prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), based on legislation introduced by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., that passed the House in July.

Funding for the federal government currently expires Sept. 30. America’s Credit Unions will continue to engage with appropriators to ensure credit union priorities are properly funded in FY26.