Dependent Care and Board Member Expense Reimbursement
Key claim: The NCUA is amending its regulations to allow federal credit unions to reimburse volunteer board members for dependent care costs incurred while performing official duties, removing a barrier to volunteer service.
Abstract
(Rule · National Credit Union Administration) The NCUA Board is amending its regulations concerning the reimbursement of reasonable expenses for federal credit union (FCU) officials. The amendment revises the definition of compensation to exclude dependent care costs incurred by volunteer officials while attending board meetings and performing official credit union duties. By recognizing these costs as reimbursable, the NCUA Board is authorizing FCUs to remove a potential barrier to volunteer service for persons with dependent care responsibilities. The final rule also provides flexibility for FCU boards to adopt more family-friendly policies tailored to their size, region, and operations. The final rule follows publication of the January 26, 2026, proposed rule, and takes into consideration the public comments received.
Why this matters
Federal credit unions are governed by volunteer boards, and rules on what those volunteers may be reimbursed for directly affect the pool of people willing and able to serve. Allowing dependent care reimbursement is a modest but concrete governance change that may broaden participation on FCU boards without altering the underlying prohibition on compensating directors.