On March 3, the NCUA announced changes to its policy on the collection and publication of overdraft and NSF fee income data from credit unions. Previously, the NCUA required federally insured credit unions with assets exceeding $1 billion to publicly disclose their income from these fees both individually and in aggregate form. However, under the new policy, effective March 31, the NCUA will collect this data during supervisory examinations but will only publish it in aggregate form once updates to its examination system are complete.

NCUA Chairman Kyle S. Hauptman explained that the previous policy inadvertently discouraged credit unions from serving low-income and underserved communities, as these fees can sometimes be the most viable option for consumers facing financial difficulties. Hauptman emphasized the need for a regulatory framework that protects consumers from predatory practices while allowing credit unions to provide necessary financial tools. He also highlighted the importance of reducing regulatory burdens to support the sustainability of small and newly formed credit unions.