Operating fee will decrease by average of 24.65% this year
Operating fee rates for federal credit unions will decrease by an average of approximately 24.65% in 2026. The NCUA outlined its updated operating fee schedule in a letter sent to federal credit unions (26-FCU-01) Friday. Additionally, the operating fee exemption threshold increased to $2.16 million (from $2.08 million), meaning federal credit unions with a four-quarter average of $2.16 million or less in total assets are exempt from paying an operating fee.
According to the agency, the decrease comes primarily from:
- Reductions to NCUA staffing and program levels;
- Repurposing approximately $49.3 million of unspent, past years’ budgets for 2026; and,
- Crediting $1 million to the 2026 operating fee, resulting from past years’ unspent collections.
NCUA’s net annual 2026 budget is approximately 20% percent less than the 2025 budget. Because assets at federal credit unions grew by 3.72% in 2025, the NCUA notes that the operating fee revenue required to finance the NCUA budget is lower on a relative basis than in the last year.
The letter includes additional information about the fee, payment options, and a link to NCUA’s online calculator. NCUA will send invoices to credit unions with the specific amount due in March. Operating fees are due to the NCUA no later than April 17.