WASHINGTON--Credit unions are one step closer to long-sought clarity under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), following the FCC’s vote to advance a proposal that reflects recommendations from America’s Credit Unions, the trade association stated.
“The FCC’s proposed updates reflect the balance we’ve fought for, including protecting consumers while ensuring credit unions can communicate vital account information when it matters most,” said Jim Nussle, president and CEO of America’s Credit Unions. “Through consistent advocacy across administrations, we helped shape modern TCPA reforms that work for both consumers and community lenders, and we’ll keep leading as the FCC finalizes these changes."
The proposal comes after months of advocacy by America’s Credit Unions, including multiple meetings with FCC leaders and staff across every office since the TCPA was last updated in early 2024. If finalized, the new rules would simplify compliance, reduce litigation risk, and lower costs for credit unions by establishing clear, auditable consent and opt-out processes for member communications, ACU said.
The FCC’s proposed updates would:
- Allow financial institutions to designate clear, exclusive methods for members to revoke prior consent, improving compliance consistency
- Modify outdated requirements that force institutions to treat a single opt-out as applicable to all call types
- Eliminate limits that prevented institutions from using additional verified contact numbers when making critical fraud or security calls
America’s Credit Unions noted that it has fought to help secure a one-year delay of the 2024 revocation-of-consent rules, "leveraging that time to engage the FCC on necessary changes." The association added that it will submit formal comments in support of the proposed rule and "continue to ensure credit unions’ voices are heard throughout the rulemaking process."
DCUC Says Reforms Recognize A Fundamental Truth
“Today’s action by the FCC to advance proposed reforms under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act is a positive step forward for the defense-credit-union community and the millions of service members and veterans we serve," said DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak. "These reforms recognize a fundamental truth: when financial institutions such as our nation’s credit unions need to reach a member about critical account security, fraud alerts or emergency notifications, the regulatory framework must be practical, transparent and workable."
By clarifying consent protocols, streamlining opt-out mechanisms and removing outdated restrictions that hinder vital communications, the FCC is moving toward a rule structure that balances consumer protections with operational realities, Stverak asserted.
"This matters especially for credit unions serving military and defense communities, where real-time outreach can mean the difference between thwarting fraud and leaving a member exposed," he explained. "We strongly urge the FCC, as it moves into the next phase of the rule-making process, to keep the interests of mission-driven, not-for-profit credit unions front and center. As our industry has long maintained, any final rule must preserve credit unions’ ability to communicate efficiently—and without undue litigation exposure—to members while maintaining the highest standards of member privacy and consent...The Defense Credit Union Council stands ready to continue its advocacy, engage with the agency and support adoption of a final rule that advances clarity, fairness and effective consumer protection.”