NCUA Clarifies Federal Credit Unions’ Power

Alexandria, VA (June 8, 2026) ―The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) published an Interim Final Rule to clarify federal credit unions' (FCUs) power to charge non-interest charges and fees, including interchange fees, under the Federal Credit Union Act. NCUA has exclusive authority over FCUs' ability to charge non-interest charges and fees.

The Interim Final Rule is intended to preempt any state law affecting the non-interest charges and fees related to payment card services. Although NCUA believes that its preemption rules already allow FCUs to impose fees that are set by a third party without state interference, NCUA is adopting this Interim Final Rule both to clarify FCU authority and to avoid any disparity between FCUs and national banks in light of a recently issued interim final rule on the same subject by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. As the NCUA's Interim Final Rule makes clear, state rules regulating FCU activity related to non-interest charges and fees, including interchange fees, are not applicable to FCUs.

The Interim Final Rule takes effect June 30, 2026.