Policy Platform
The Inclusiv promotes the financial independence and well-being of working families and communities by expanding access to safe and responsible financial products and services through credit unions. As the national trade association and CDFI intermediary committed to expanding, growing and strengthening these mission-driven credit unions, Inclusiv advocates for policies that strengthen the institutions and the members and communities they serve.
Rebuilding America’s infrastructure must include investment to grow and expand CDCUs. The largest dedicated funding source is Treasury’s CDFI Fund. CDFI Fund awards generate billions of dollars annually in loans and investments to build and improve homes, increase energy efficiency, grow businesses, create jobs, increase job mobility, expand access to affordable health and childcare, and create greater financial capability to expand consumer purchasing power. Inclusiv seeks to strengthen the federal CDFI Fund, increase its effectiveness and spark state and local investment in community development finance. As financial cooperatives, our institutional interests align with the success and well-being of our members. Predatory lenders undermine the financial and economic security of community development credit union members, borrowers and communities. CDCU members are healthier and stronger when rational, consistent and durable consumer protections are in place. CDCUs must have a greater voice in the development of regulation that will curb abuses from predatory players. Smart regulation can serve to both even the playing field and ensure healthier borrowers, members and consumers. By engaging with regulators and legislators to get it right, we will preserve that credit union difference, protect our members and our markets, and allow us and all Americans to thrive together in the future. Ensuring regulators recognize the unique value-add of community development financial institutions is critical to increasing service to those who need it most. Inclusiv will work vigorously with NCUA to reduce regulatory burden and increase consistent and relevant performance metrics for community development credit unions. Successful CDCUs employ a range of products and services to reach underserved members. Regulators need to have a better understanding of financial tools and mitigation strategies that enable institutions to take appropriate risk to serve their market well. They need to support and foster growth into underserved communities and better recognize how leveraging outside capital enable institutions grow and better serve their communities. Improve regulator training of examiners and supervisors to become better-versed in the use of secondary capital to build credit union financials; and risk management and mitigation strategies to limit the narrow definitions of risk solely driven by consumer credit score and category. Click here to download the Inclusiv's Advocacy Platform Click here for Inclusiv briefing sheet for congress members Click here for Inclusiv member impact stories1. Invest in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to rebuild American infrastructure and local economies
2. Fulfilling the Promise: Placing the Member First
3. Sustain and grow service to and engagement with low-income and underbanked consumers through regulatory opportunity and incentives at NCUA.