Access an in-depth breakdown of 2025 state-level legislative updates
State policy trends are rapidly reshaping the operating landscape for credit unions, with major activity across data privacy, crypto, interchange, and environmental, social, and government (ESG) restrictions. America’s Credit Unions 2025 State Policy Report breaks down the top trends and provides an anticipated plan for state advocacy efforts alongside league partners in 2026.
Key trends include:
- A rise in comprehensive privacy bills—including seven new enactments—signals the need for credit unions to harmonize a data-governance playbook that anticipates opt-out and consent requirements beyond Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA) safe harbor.
- The surge in anti-ESG laws is requiring credit unions to map investment and lending screens to emerging “fiduciary duty” language and develop neutral-value talking points that emphasize member outcomes over ideology.
- States are also experimenting with the digital asset custody and payments space, offering an opportunity to leverage the Rhode Island and Oklahoma models to advocate for parity.
- Consistent interchange pressures warrant strengthening coalitions with small-business partners and centering advocacy on the disproportionate impact fee caps would have on low-income debit users.
Leagues and credit union advocates also advocated for needed modernizations to credit union laws.