NCUA Approves 2026 Budget and Operating Fee Schedule

Posted by Erin Hall on January 23, 2026

The NCUA Board approved the 2026 operating and capital budgets in December 2025, resulting in an average 24.65% decrease in operating fee rates for federal credit unions. The operating fee exemption threshold increased from $2.08 million to $2.16 million in total assets, exempting federal credit unions below that four-quarter average.

The fee decrease reflects:

Reduced NCUA staffing and program levels
Repurposing $49.3 million in prior year unspent funds
Applying $1 million in unspent collections to 2026 fees

NCUA’s net 2026 budget is down 20% from 2025, and because credit union assets grew 3.72% in 2025, less operating fee revenue is needed.

The 2026 Operating Fee Schedule and an online calculator are available on NCUA.gov. Invoices will be issued in March 2026, with payments due April 17, 2026.

Threshold Adjustment

The exemption threshold increases annually based on average federal credit union asset growth, per the methodology approved in December 2023.

Invoice Timeline

The 2026 fee is based on average total assets for the quarters ending Sept. 30, 2025; June 30, 2025; March 31, 2025; and Dec. 31, 2024. Credit unions above the $2.16 million threshold will receive operating fee invoices, and all insured credit unions will receive any required Share Insurance Fund deposit adjustment based on Dec. 31, 2025 insured shares. For federal credit unions, both charges appear on one invoice due April 17.

Payment Instructions

Payments must be made electronically. Credit unions are encouraged to enroll in direct debit via Pay.gov through CUOnline or by submitting the Authorized Electronic Transfer Payments form. Once enrolled, invoices will be mailed and payments drafted automatically on the due date.