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About
About
Created by the U.S. Congress in 1970, the National Credit Union Administration is an independent federal agency that insures deposits at federally insured credit unions, protects the members who own credit unions, and charters and regulates federal credit unions.
Regulation & Supervision
Regulation & Supervision
The NCUA protects the safety and soundness of the credit union system by identifying, monitoring and reducing risks to the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the Share Insurance Fund provides up to $250,000 of federal share insurance to millions of account holders in all federal credit unions and the overwhelming majority of state-chartered credit unions.
Analysis
Analysis
The NCUA’s economists and analysts compile data on the credit union system’s financial performance, merger activity, changes in credit union chartering and fields of membership, as well as broader economic trends affecting credit unions. Users can find information on a single credit union or analyze broader nation-wide trends.
Support Services
Support Services
The NCUA provides a number of support services to the credit union system, such as providing training, grants and loans, chartering, and field-of-membership services; maintaining the health and stability of Share Insurance Fund; managing the assets of failed credit unions; and providing emergency liquidity.
Consumers
Consumers
The NCUA works to protect credit union members and consumers, raise awareness of potential frauds, facilitate access to affordable financial services, and educate consumers on the importance of savings and how they can improve their financial well-being.
News
News
Stay up to date on the NCUA's activities by subscribing to the NCUA's Express messages. Read press releases, speeches, testimony, and Annual Reports. Register for upcoming conferences and events.
Cybersecurity Resources
Cybersecurity Resources
Cyberattacks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities pose significant risks to the financial system. Because of vulnerabilities within the credit union industry and the broader financial system to potential cyberattacks, cybersecurity is one of the NCUA’s top supervisory priorities and a top-tier risk under the agency’s enterprise risk-management program.

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Define the Credit Union’s Purpose

Federal credit unions are cooperative associations organized in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Credit Union Act for the purpose of promoting thrift among their members and creating a source of credit for provident or productive purposes.

Before approving a new charter, the NCUA will analyze and review various factors related to the fitness and viability of the proposed credit union. By clearly defining the purpose of your proposed credit union, you help to define those factors.

Provide compelling reasons why the formation of a new credit union is in the best interest of the proposed group. The NCUA will determine if the proposed credit union’s purpose, goals, and objectives align with the credit union concept.

Last modified on

04/14/22

Define the Credit Union’s Purpose

Footnotes