Policymakers view America’s Credit Unions as leading advocacy voice

America’s Credit Unions serves as the credit union industry’s leading voice in Washington, D.C., with recent research confirming that status and policymakers recognizing the organization as one of the most influential trade associations for prioritizing issues that credit unions care about most. America's Credit Unions’ influence is bolstered by its credit union members' impactful grassroots and League System coordination.

The findings come from Penta Group, using quantitative and qualitative feedback directly from senior policymakers to assess their perceptions of private sector advocacy. Penta’s data shows that America’s Credit Unions ensures policymakers understand the unique value credit unions deliver to communities nationwide. 

“America’s Credit Unions was created to put credit union priorities first and use our influence to inform policymakers of the critical role credit unions have on Americans’ financial security,” said America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle. “Recent research by the Penta Group affirms these principles, showing that through championing grassroots voices, compelling storytelling, and rigorous data, America’s Credit Unions is the most trusted credit union trade association in Washington.  

“Driven by a united advocacy partnership between America’s Credit Unions and our state Leagues, we’ve built the most influential and credible voice for credit unions in the nation, of which policymakers seek out and respect,” Nussle added. “We are proud of these findings and will continue to advocate on behalf of every credit union in the country.”   

The research shows: 

• America’s Credit Unions’ reputation among policymakers is on par with long-established financial services associations and far ahead of banks and fintechs. It has built a high degree of credibility among this audience, underscoring that credit unions’ voice is essential in shaping financial policy.
• In just one year, America’s Credit Unions rose from 32nd to 13th among all associations when it comes to policymakers seeking support because of influence. More and more, lawmakers feel they need credit unions at the table for critical policy discussions.
• Policymakers are increasingly turning to America’s Credit Unions for its perspective, positioning the organization as a “first call” for policymakers in the financial services space. The organization ranks among the strongest in mobilizing grassroots voices from districts to Washington, which is a hallmark of credit union advocacy.
• One of the biggest drivers of America’s Credit Unions’ credibility is its ability to pair member stories with reliable data. Policymakers recognize the organization as a leading source of accurate, trustworthy research, an area that saw notable improvement in 2025.
• In a polarized environment, America’s Credit Unions maintains a rare balance. It made significant inroads with Republicans in 2025 while still outperforming peers among Democrats. This bipartisan reach ensures the movement’s priorities are heard no matter who holds the gavel.
• While the banking lobby continues to counter credit union advocacy, policymakers note the difference: America’s Credit Unions’ message is relevant, backed by facts, and grounded in Main Street voices, making the organization a powerful and credible leader in financial services advocacy.