Description: The Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that advocates for credit unions serving active duty military members, veterans, and their families. DCUC provides regulatory and legislative representation, compliance support, industry education, and convening services to its member credit unions and serves as a liaison with the Department of Defense, National Credit Union Administration and other federal agencies. Type: Nonprofit trade association (industry council) Policies: Advocacy on military and veteran financial services issues, regulatory and supervisory matters affecting credit unions (NCUA rulemaking), implementation and interpretation of the Military Lending Act and related consumer protections, access to on‑base banking and installation operating agreements, partnerships with DoD/VA/CFPB on servicemember financial readiness, opposition to policies that restrict credit union operations (e.g., de‑banking), and promotion of financial education programs for military families. Funding: Primarily funded by membership dues from participating credit unions, conference and event fees, sponsorships and program partnerships; supplemented by revenue from educational products and allied-industry collaborations. Affiliates: Member credit unions that serve the defense and veteran communities (including large military-serving credit unions such as PenFed and recently joined institutions like Members 1st FCU), allied partners (e.g., Allied Solutions), its own DCU PAC and National Advocacy Fund, and close working relationships with the DoD, VA, NCUA, CFPB and broader credit union trade groups such as CUNA.
