The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board convened for its seventh open meeting of 2024, where members received updates on cybersecurity and charter modernization efforts. The briefings highlighted significant trends and challenges facing the credit union sector.
The NCUA's Office of Examination and Insurance, along with the Office of the Executive Director, provided insights into cybersecurity issues, focusing on hacking economics, cyber incident reporting, and the Information Security Examination program. It was noted that ransomware attacks and third-party service provider issues are prevalent across the credit union system. Since the implementation of the NCUA’s cyber incident notification rule on September 1, 2023, there have been 1,072 reported cyber incidents up to August 31 this year. Of these incidents, nearly 70% involved third-party vendors.
“These annual cybersecurity updates at the NCUA Board table are an important reminder that cyberattacks on the financial services industry, including within the credit union system, will remain high for the foreseeable future,” stated Chairman Harper. He emphasized that third-party service providers often represent a weak link in financial systems.
Chairman Harper further remarked on vulnerabilities affecting the $2.3 trillion federally insured credit union industry: “These incidents highlight significant vulnerabilities to our nation’s interconnected critical financial infrastructure... We cannot afford to leave these vulnerabilities unchecked.”
Credit unions are urged to assess their relationships with third-party vendors to mitigate potential risks and enhance their cyber preparedness. A recent Letter to Credit Unions provides guidance for boards of directors regarding their roles in ensuring robust cyber defenses.
Additionally, staff from the NCUA’s Office of Credit Union Resources and Expansion discussed efforts to modernize chartering processes. This includes data on new charters and improvements in application processing times. Chairman Harper commented on these developments: “The NCUA has made meaningful strides during the past four years in facilitating the chartering process so that organizers can pursue their visions of people helping people.”
Efforts include enhancements to management systems and a provisional charter pilot aimed at easing access to initial capital for organizing groups.
For more information about starting a federal credit union or understanding charter processes, resources are available on the NCUA's website.
The NCUA is an independent federal agency responsible for regulating federal credit unions and insuring deposits through its Share Insurance Fund.
