NCUA 2026 Supervisory Priorities focus on ‘No Regulation by Enforcement’
Highlighting its 2026 Supervisory Priorities, the NCUA sent a letter to credit unions (26-CU-01) Wednesday with information to help credit unions prepare for examination. The priorities are designed to continue the agency’s “No Regulation by Enforcement” policy while emphasizing safety and soundness. The agency’s continued focus is on risk-based supervision, tailoring the examination scope to the credit union’s unique risk profile.
NCUA’s priorities emphasize:
- Risk-focused examinations: Examiners will concentrate on areas posing the greatest risk to credit union members, the credit union system, and the Share Insurance Fund.
- Balance sheet management and lending: As loan performance shows increased pressure, examiners will review credit risk management practices, underwriting standards, and liquidity planning.
- Operational and compliance risk: Examiners will conduct their reviews with an ongoing emphasis on fraud prevention, payment systems security, and compliance with consumer financial protection laws.
- Efficiency and innovation: The agency will implement streamlined examination processes and align with recent legislative and executive directives, including the GENIUS Act.
The letter to credit unions contains details on each area along with a list of resource links to NCUA guidance, rules, and regulations that apply to each area.