NCUA's Annual Performance Plan for Calendar Year 2026.

www.marktreichel.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/NCUA just released its 2026 Annual Performance Plan, and it offers a clear look at where the agency is focusing its resources this year. Here are the highlights:What NCUA is announcing:17 annual performance goals supported by 23 performance indicators, all aligned to the new 2026-2030 Strategic PlanA commitment to issue at least 30 regulatory actions or policy revisions that reduce regulatory or administrative burden on credit unionsPlans to eliminate unnecessary or unduly burdensome examination scope stepsFinal regulations on permissible stablecoin activities for all federally insured credit unionsDeployment of the Analytics 2.0 Phase I upgrade to the MERIT examination system by Q1 2026Key milestones in NCUA's AI roadmap, including a large language model pilot, an AI Steering Committee, and a refined AI strategyAt least three joint NCUA-State Supervisory Authority engagements to strengthen the dual chartering systemWhy the change is occurring:NCUA is reorganizing to focus on core statutory functions, eliminate duplication, and reduce non-essential activitiesThe agency wants to reallocate resources toward material risks while reducing lower-priority work for both examiners and credit unionsRapid changes in technology, digital assets, and payment systems require updated regulations and guidanceStronger data, analytics, and AI capabilities are needed to keep pace with an increasingly complex credit union systemWhat is NOT changing:NCUA's core mission to safeguard federally insured credit unions and protect the Share Insurance FundThe statutory requirement to maintain the Share Insurance Fund equity ratio at or above 1.2 percentTimely follow-up examinations for troubled credit unions - target is at least 97 percent initiated within established timeframes for CAMELS 4/5 credit unions and CAMELS 3 credit unions over $250 millionCommitment to an unmodified ("clean") opinion on financial statement audits and a FISMA maturity rating of at least Level 4Ongoing support for low-income credit unions through Congressionally appropriated grantsThe 10,000-foot takeaway: NCUA is signaling a leaner, more risk-focused agency in 2026. Expect meaningful burden reduction, a final stablecoin rule, smarter use of data and AI in examinations, and continued organizational realignment - all while maintaining the financial resilience of the Share Insurance Fund. Credit unions should watch closely for the 30-plus regulatory and policy revisions coming this year, as many will directly affect exam scope, compliance expectations, and innovation opportunities.If your credit union wants help preparing for an NCUA exam, visit MarkTreichel.com. Are you worried about an NCUA exam in process or looming on the horizon? Don't face it alone!We're ex-NCUA insiders with decades of experience, ready to guide you to success. Our team understands the intricacies of NCUA examinations from the inside out.Hire us and gain:• Peace of mind during your exam process• Insider knowledge of NCUA procedures and expectations• Strategies to address potential issues before they become problems• Continuous access to our extensive subject matter expertiseWith our access retainer, you'll have on-demand support from former NCUA experts. We're here to ensure your credit union achieves flying colors in its next examination.Contact Credit Union Exam Solutions today to learn more about our services and how we can help your credit union succeed.