Wake Up and Take Action

The Independent Community Bankers of America and the nation's community banks are calling on policymakers and the public to “Wake Up” to the risky practices, costly tax subsidies, and irresponsibly lax oversight of the nation’s credit unions.

Learn how the tax-exempt status of credit unions affects your state with our state-by-reports and gain key messaging guidance through the Wake Up Messaging Playbook.

Access the Playbook

ICBA issues custom op-ed on credit union-bank acquisitions

Apr 14, 2022 | NewsWatch Today
ICBA issued a customizable op-ed that community bankers can use to raise awareness of credit union acquisitions of community banks.

Congress should join states in responding to CU bank acquisitions: op-ed

Apr 11, 2022 | NewsWatch Today
While credit union advocates support credit unions leveraging their tax exemption to acquire community banks, these subsidized transactions harm local communities, ICBA Chairman Brad Bolton writes in a new op-ed.

Minnesota rules against credit union bank acquisitions

Apr 7, 2022 | NewsWatch Today
A proposed credit union acquisition of a community bank in Minnesota was rejected by the state’s business regulator—the latest state-level roadblock for credit unions.

HOW CREDIT UNION'S TAX-EXEMPT STATUS AFFECTS YOUR STATE

These state-by-state reports show how credit unions have exceeded their original mandate and how that unchecked growth has negatively affected local communities across every state.

See the Report for All of the USA

Find your state

Charts

Credit unions in your state used their tax exemption to avoid paying

 

in federal income taxes.

House

In 2022, credit unions across your state held a grand total of

 

in tax-free assets.

People

In your state credit unions paid $0 in federal income tax. Meanwhile,

Nurses paid:

Cashiers paid:

Teachers paid:

Wake Up Messaging Playbook

Wake Up Messaging Playbook

Find out how community bankers can more effectively advocate for a level tax and regulatory playing field between tax-exempt credit unions and the community banking industry. Access your playbook today. You must be a member to access this content.

Read the Report

Credit Union Merger White Paper

Credit Union Merger White Paper

Because of their tax advantage and relaxed field of membership regulations, credit unions have begun to acquire community banks in order to fuel their growth. This trend should concern taxpayers.

Read the report

Exempt White Paper

Do They Know They're Tax Exempt?

If credit unions cannot abide by their original mandate deserving of a tax subsidy, then taxpayers are financing an unequal playing field that leaves behind the financially underserved, cheats federal and state tax authorities, and unfairly disadvantages legitimate for-profit institutions like community banks.

Find out more

Archived Resources