WASHINGTON — The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates and several credit union executives met with the White House Office of Management and Budget to press for more timely and predictable distribution of federal Community Development Financial Institutions Fund resources.
The League said it urged OMB to complete its final review of fiscal 2025 CDFI awards before the Sept. 30 deadline, apportion fiscal 2026 funding without further delay and establish consistent timelines for future CDFI Fund apportionments and approvals of funding notices.
Following the meeting, the Treasury Department announced the second and final round of fiscal 2025 CDFI Program awards, with official award notifications expected by Sept. 30, according to The League.
League Seeks Greater Predictability
The League said delays and uncertainty surrounding CDFI funding can make it more difficult for credit unions to plan lending and investment in underserved communities.
“CDFI credit unions have demonstrated their ability to turn federal resources into meaningful economic activity in the communities they serve,” said John Bratsakis, CEO of The League.
“Our message to OMB is straightforward: timely and predictable access to these funds matters,” Bratsakis added. “Completing the fiscal year 2025 review, apportioning fiscal year 2026 funds, and providing greater consistency going forward will allow credit unions to plan with confidence and continue putting these resources to work where they are needed most.”
The League said 46 CDFI-certified credit unions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia serve more than 4.4 million members and have $48 billion in active community loans.
CDFI credit unions use federal funding to help expand mortgage, small-business and consumer lending and provide alternatives to higher-cost lending, particularly in rural areas and communities with persistent poverty, according to The League.
Credit Unions Largest Depository Segment
The League said credit unions account for 446 of the nation’s 1,383 certified CDFIs, making them the largest depository institution segment within the CDFI sector.
According to The League, every $1 awarded to a credit union through the CDFI Fund generates $12 in private investment.
“Behind these numbers are families working toward homeownership, small businesses looking for opportunities to grow, and communities that have historically had fewer financial options,” said Samantha A.M. Beeler, president of The League.
Beeler said predictable distribution of the federal funds allows credit unions to continue using public investment to support economic activity in the communities they serve.
Meeting Part of Hike the Hill
The OMB meeting took place during The League’s 2026 Hike the Hill in Washington, where credit union executives from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia met with federal policymakers to discuss legislative and regulatory issues affecting credit unions and their members.
Those participating in the OMB meeting included Rick Skaggs, president and CEO of USF Federal Credit Union; Bob Steensma, president and CEO of Five Star Credit Union; Bratsakis; Beeler; and Ibby Dickson, The League’s manager of federal advocacy.
Inaugural Advocacy Ambassadors are Named
Separately, the League recognized the inaugural graduating cohort of its Advocacy Ambassadors executive program during Hike the Hill in Washington, D.C.
Launched in March, Advocacy Ambassadors is a seven-month executive advocacy program designed to equip credit union leaders with the relationships, resources, and strategies needed to strengthen their advocacy efforts.
“Throughout the program, Ambassadors worked to deepen relationships of influence, leverage advocacy tools and resources, collaborate across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia, and develop actionable advocacy plans,” the League said.
The 2026 Advocacy Ambassador graduates are:
Alabama
- June Landrum, Alabama Credit Union
- Bob Steensma, Five Star Credit Union
- Brad Green, Listerhill Credit Union
- Mark Johnson, Naheola Credit Union
Florida
- Park Broome, Loyalty Credit Union
- Daniel Souers, Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union
- Denelle Miller, FiCare Federal Credit Union
- Suzanne Weinstein, Orlando Credit Union
Georgia
- Laura King, Georgia United Credit Union
- Robby Glore, Combined Employees Credit Union
- Stephen Smith, Family First Credit Union
Virginia
- Amanda Habansky, Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union
- Cindy Lindsey, RVA Financial Credit Union
- Jeff Bentley, Northwest Federal Credit Union
- Mike Kenzie, Bronco Federal Credit Union
“These leaders have spent the past seven months strengthening not only their own advocacy skills, but also the relationships and strategies that make our collective voice more effective,” Jasmine Smith, senior director of advocacy engagement, said in a statement. “Graduation is not the end of that work. Our Advocacy Ambassadors are leaving this program prepared to put what they have learned into action, deepen engagement within their credit unions and communities, and continue building meaningful relationships with policymakers.”
The League also acknowledged its five Honorary Advocacy Ambassadors for their distinguished leadership and continued commitment to credit union advocacy:
- Rick Skaggs, USF Credit Union, Florida
- Mary Ott Wood, USF Credit Union, Florida
- Steve Swofford, Alabama Credit Union, Alabama
- Marshall Boutwell, Peach State Federal Credit Union, Georgia
- Karen Orie, Hampton Roads Educators’ Credit Union, Virginia
The inaugural cohort completed the program as credit union leaders from across The League’s four-state footprint gathered in Washington, D.C., for Hike the Hill and meetings with federal lawmakers.
The League congratulates the inaugural Advocacy Ambassador graduating cohort and looks forward to the continued impact of these leaders on credit union advocacy, the organization said.
