Advocacy Corner is a quarterly update that will help connect the dots between decisions made in Washington, D.C., and the work Coast Central does every day across our tri-county service areas. This article will highlight key legislative and regulatory issues affecting credit unions and explain why they matter to our members, our communities, and our cooperative mission
Behind every fraud attempt is a member whose financial security—and peace of mind—may be at risk. Protecting members requires knowledgeable employees, dedicated resources, and laws that helps Coast Central respond effectively.
Coast Central has purposefully grown our fraud department to identify threats, respond to concerns, and support members affected by fraud. That investment puts our member-owned, not-for-profit purpose into practice: directing resources toward the people we serve here at home.
Advocating for Legal Protections
Through collaboration and advocacy in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, credit unions are also working together to strengthen consumer safeguards and preserve our cooperative model.
In Washington, credit union leaders recently urged Congress to support the SCAM Act and the STOP Payments Fraud Act of 2026—proposals addressing scam advertising and payments fraud. These efforts seek better tools to protect members as criminals change their tactics. As of October 2026, both bills are awaiting further congressional action, and credit unions will continue to advocate for their adoption.
In Sacramento, California’s Credit Unions has advocated for legislation allowing financial institutions to delay suspicious transactions and contact trusted individuals when older members may face financial exploitation. The goal is to intervene before savings disappear.
Our Cooperative Structure Supports Member Service
As member-owned financial cooperatives, credit unions operate differently from for-profit banks. Rather than focusing on generating profits for outside shareholders, credit unions reinvest earnings into services, technology, financial strength, and member support. Policymakers regularly review laws affecting financial institutions, and credit unions work to ensure those laws continue to support their ability to serve members and local communities.
That cooperative structure helps support affordable financial services, community investment, strong reserves, and programs such as fraud prevention efforts that protect members from emerging threats.
Every employee contributes to fraud prevention by recognizing warning signs, following established procedures, and connecting members with help. A timely referral and an empathetic conversation can make a meaningful difference.
From a thoughtful conversation at Coast Central to a discussion with lawmakers, “people helping people” means taking action to protect our members—and preserving our ability to serve them.