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State Advocacy: Massachusetts

State Advocacy

Massachusetts Advocacy

The Cooperative Credit Union Association is an active and vigorous advocate on behalf of Massachusetts Credit Unions. The Association is the voice of the credit union community at the State House in Boston, working for legislation that fosters the success of credit unions.

Learn more about the current Massachusetts Congressional Delegation.

Legislative Topics

Summary

The CCUA acts as an advocate for the credit unions of Massachusetts, making certain that the needs of credit unions and their members are well known and clearly understood to the lawmakers who draft the laws which govern the operation of credit unions. 

That proactive position involves formulating and drafting legislation that allows credit unions to continue in their role as an effective and friendly financial resource for consumers. Defending credit unions from legislative assaults mounted by competitors seeking to use the Legislature in order to gain advantages in the marketplace is an equally important function.

Massachusetts General Court

MA Legislative Priorities 2023-2024

The Massachusetts Credit Union Act of 1909 was the first comprehensive credit union law in the country, and later served as the model for the Federal Credit Union Act of 1934. Today, Massachusetts credit unions continue to make a difference in the live of people, businesses, and communities throughout the Commonwealth each and every day.

MA Legislative Priorities 2023-2024 MA Legislative Priorities

 

An Act to Allow Municipalities to Deposit in Credit Unions
H.1034/S.652: Sponsors: Rep. Patricia Haddad (Somerset) and Sen. Adam Gomez (Springfield) 
H. 1163: Sponsor: Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik (Gardner)

  • Authorizes the deposits of municipal public funds into credit unions in Massachusetts.
  • Amends municipal and credit union statutes to permit credit unions and federal credit unions to place and receive deposits of public funds, respectively.
  • The total of public funds deposit permitted is not to exceed, at any time, 25% of the credit union’s assets.
  • Municipalities will save millions in fees and services as a result of these changes.

An Act to Strengthen the State Credit Union Charter
H.1033/S.720: Sponsors: Rep. Patricia Haddad (Somerset) and Sen. John Velis (Westfield)

  • Addresses bank and credit union mergers and charter conversions with either entity as the survivor. 
  • Authorizes supplemental capital and expands investment authorities to include leeway, incidental, and the capital growth corporation for state-chartered credit unions. 
  • Proposes additional transactions, including: purchase and assumption authority and mergers between Massachusetts state-chartered credit unions and out-of-state, state-chartered credit unions. 
  • These changes are important for Massachusetts to remain competitive compared to the federal charter.

An Act Relative to Growth Opportunities for State Financial Institutions 
H.1032/S.623: Sponsors: Rep. Patricia Haddad (Somerset) and Sen. Sal DiDomenico (Everett)

  • Authorizes a Savings, Mutual and Cooperative banks to merge with credit union. It would allow credit unions to purchase the assets and/or assume the liabilities, in whole or in part, and a voluntary liquidation by amending relevant bank and credit union law to allow a credit union as the surviving entity in the transaction.
  • Permits such a transaction on an expedited basis as may be needed based on existing federal bank regulatory provisions.
Massachusetts Advocacy Committee

The Massachusetts Advocacy Committee meets throughout the year to discuss legislative and regulatory priorities, attend events, and deliberate on policy matters. Membership, free and open to employees and volunteers of CCUA-affiliated credit unions, allows your credit union to have a voice to help shape the local and national credit union advocacy platform. 

Join the MA Advocacy Committee

Committee Members

Regulatory Topics

Summary

Credit unions are subject to state and federal regulations that govern the full range of their operations. In addition to the two primary credit union regulatory bodies, credit unions must be well informed about the regulations promulgated by a wide variety of other governmental organizations. The CCUA goes far beyond reporting on new initiatives by taking a proactive role in assisting credit unions to work with regulators to build a regulatory environment that will benefit and protect credit unions and their members. Anticipating regulatory change, promoting dialogue between credit unions and regulators, interpreting existing regulation, and acting as an advocate for credit unions in regulatory forums are vital services delivered by the Association.

Massachusetts Division of Banks

The Massachusetts Division of Banks provides access to proposed regulations on their website at: www.mass.gov/dob. Postings also contains copies of the Notices of Public Hearings on proposed regulations which indicate the deadlines for comment letters.

April 10, 2020: Massachusetts Division of Banks Letter to Credit Unions-Call Report Process

March 20, 2020: Massachusetts Special Commission Supporting Minority Owned Entities

Parity Regulation: 209 CMR 50:00: Credit Union Parity

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State Advocacy Committees

Membership

Advocacy Committees maintain open membership free to employees and volunteers of CCUA-affiliated credit unions interested in lending a voice to help shape the local and national credit union advocacy platform. While a consistent advocacy front is important, attendance at every meeting is not mandatory. If credit union directors, CEOs, or staff are interested in attending, upon review of any meeting agenda, then membership and attendance is welcome. Virtual participation is also available.

How to Join

Requests to join an Advocacy Committee:

Advocacy Tools

Grassroots Activities

Locally, CCUA member states represent 4.5 million consumers. Our grassroots platform provides many opportunities for you to get involved and stay engaged.

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Take Action

Contact Us

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