Industry on Alert for Potential Interchange Proposals in FY26 NDAA

August 21, 2025 |

America’s Credit Unions has joined with other financial services trade groups in urging Congress to reject any proposed amendments to the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would alter interchange fee rules. Supporters of the amendments want to expand routing requirements and restrict how card networks recover interchange costs, arguing this would lower expenses for merchants. These provisions, which some lawmakers have attempted to attach to the defense spending bill, are unrelated to national security and could create negative consequences for consumers and credit unions alike. America’s Credit Unions, along with other leading financial services associations, warn that such changes would instead reduce consumer protections, increase fraud risk, and limit the ability of financial institutions to offer affordable payment services.

Why the NDAA Gets Targeted: 

Attaching interchange language to the NDAA is a common maneuver. Because the defense bill is considered “must-pass” legislation, it often becomes a target for lawmakers trying to advance unrelated policy priorities. Similar interchange amendments have been floated and defeated in recent years. 

What Happens Next? 

The NDAA is still early in the process, with House and Senate versions needing to be reconciled in conference negotiations. Amendments often get stripped out before final passage, but the League will continue monitoring each step closely. You can read America’s Credit Unions’ full letter to Congress here. 

America’s Credit Unions emphasized that it is working in coalition with other industry partners to push back against these proposals and keep them out of the final defense bill.

What This Means for Maine Credit Unions: 

  • No changes yet—the amendments are still being debated in Congress. 
  • The industry is fully engaged—the League is monitoring the NDAA closely and working with America’s Credit Unions to oppose these provisions. 
  • We’ll keep you updated—if any harmful amendments move forward, the League’s Governmental Affairs team will communicate next steps and outline advocacy actions to help protect Maine’s credit unions and their members. 

If you have any questions, please email Jared Gay, League Director of Advocacy & Compliance, at jgay@mainecul.org.