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Articles by Amanda Smith
Auto Loan Interest Deduction Final Rule
Hello Fall! Along with apple-picking, hot cocoa, and sweaters, it’s time for…new cars! And a new car loan interest deduction update. My colleague wrote about the Proposed Rule in a post at the beginning of the year. After a long wait (or did it just feel that way?) we now have a Final Rule , a finalized Form 1098-VLI , and a Final Rule Summary , but also some lingering questions.
Interchange Battle Won, But the War Isn’t Over
The credit union movement notched another win against the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA) on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, when Judge Virginia Kendall filed an Opinion and Order finding that the IFPA interfered with federal law, as clarified by the NCUA’s Interim Final Rule Relating to Non-Interest Charges and Fees .
The Corporate Transparency Act: A Lookback
Last week, FinCEN announced a final rule to permanently eliminate beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements for U.S. businesses and U.S. persons that were previously required under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Credit unions were always excluded from the definition of “reporting companies.” However, access to that information could have made complying with Customer Due Diligence (CDD) obligations a lot easier.
Credit Union Board Modernization Act – A Legislative Victory
Last week, the bi-partisan Credit Union Board Modernization Act (CUBMA) became law as part of the 21 st Century Road to Housing Act (Act). Although the President did not sign the Act, the legislation automatically became law ten days after it was transmitted from Congress. CUBMA has been a legislative priority for America’s Credit Unions and its legacy organizations for many years.
NCUA’s Record Retention Deregulation Rule
One of the most common questions we receive through our compliance inbox concerns record retention. The NCUA recently issued a Final Rule on record retention that grants credit unions more flexibility but not more guidance. The NCUA’s record retention regulation resides in Part 749 and requires all federally insured credit unions to have a written vital records preservation program…but it does not give a lot of information about what that program should look like.
What to Know About the Revised Section 1071 Rule
A few weeks ago, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) released a revised Section 1071 rule . Section 1071 was part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act , which was passed in 2010.
Job loss anxiety hits a five-year high, finds latest consumer sentiment index
With consumer confidence suffering its sharpest decline since the pandemic and job loss anxiety hitting a five-year high, leadership is no longer just about management – it’s about stability. Here is how HR can navigate the cost of living shock and support a workforce bracing for the worst.
The President’s Housing Executive Orders – Part 2
Earlier this week, we discussed Executive Order (EO) 14393: Promoting Access to Mortgage Credit in this blog . Today we will take a closer look at the companion order, Executive Order (EO) 14394: Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction . While the impact on credit union operations is not as direct, this EO may have long-term effects on housing availability, programs, and insurance.
The President’s Housing Executive Orders – Which Regulations Might Be Affected?
Housing affordability is on everyone’s mind these days. It is the biggest monthly expense for a lot of people and the supply and demand are not aligned. On March 13, 2026, President Trump released two executive orders aimed at relieving the crunch. In this first half of a two-part series, we will take a closer look at Executive Order (EO) 14393, Promoting Access to Mortgage Credit, which is focused on reducing the compliance costs of mortgage origination and servicing.
A New SHIELD Against Debt Collection Procedures
When the federal government steps back from regulation, it’s common to see the states step up. Last week we saw New York City publish a final rule regulating debt collection. The New York City Department of Consumer and Workers Rights (DCWR) released the Stopping Harassment and Intimidation and Ensuring Lawful Debt (SHIELD) Collection Rule , which claims to provide the strongest consumer protection in the country .
Judge Issues Decision Largely Upholding Illinois Interchange Law
Boom! The judge’s decision is in on the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA) case and it’s not what any of us wanted. America’s Credit Unions is swiftly appealing the decision to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Background In 2024, despite significant opposition from the financial services industry, Illinois passed the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act. The law prohibited the application of interchange fees on sales taxes, excise taxes, and tips.
Dependent Care Reimbursement for Board Members
I went on my weekly Target run and ended up in the fashion section. Are the 1990s back? I saw a lot of clothing I might have worn in high school, so I thought I should do a gut check. Fortunately, the NCUA confirmed that we are well into the 21st century by introducing a proposed rule to permit reimbursement of dependent care. Why is that a big deal? In 1992 and then in 1999, the NCUA issued legal opinions that specifically stated that child care was not to be reimbursed.
What can advisers do to prevent consumers abandoning the protection process?
What can advisers do to prevent consumers abandoning the protection process?
Helping more women see the need for life cover
Helping more women see the need for life cover
Moving on Up - Reg M, V, and Z Threshold Increases for 2026
As the new year approaches, I know you have all been waiting for 2026 threshold updates. Last week, the CFPB delivered with five final rules that adjust the dollar thresholds used in Regulations M, V, and Z. All of the adjustments go into effect on January 1, 2026, so there is no reason to delay further.
How the ‘economic inactivity crisis’ should drive income protection conversations
How the ‘economic inactivity crisis’ should drive income protection conversations
An analysis of the maximum cover available on relevant life plans
An analysis of the maximum cover available on relevant life plans
Breaking down the barriers to income protection sales
Breaking down the barriers to income protection sales
How insurers are helping income protection claimants back to work
How insurers are helping income protection claimants back to work
Why advisers need to know the state benefit system
Why advisers need to know the state benefit system
Raising awareness of ‘crash’ menopause
This site is designed for use by professional financial advisers only. It is not intended for use by consumers. By continuing, you confirm that you are a professional adviser. If you are not a professional adviser our consumer site to help you find an adviser for protection advice will follow soon.
A Penny Saved Is a Penny…Not in Circulation
When I was a kid, my grandfather would save pennies. He sleeved them into 50-cent rolls and gave them to me and my cousins for our "savings account." We would dutifully take them to our financial institution and see another dollar added to our passbook. By the time I went to college, he had donated a tidy sum to my textbook fund. But now the penny might be going away. Inflation has depleted its usefulness and it now costs $0.0369 to mint a coin only worth one cent.
Why National Eye Health Week should matter to protection advisers
Why National Eye Health Week should matter to protection advisers
How to help younger clients see the value of protection
How to help younger clients see the value of protection
Why Is There Crypto In My 401(k)?
Why Is There Crypto in My 401(k) Account? On August 7, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order #14330: Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors (the “EO”). It’s expected to impact 90 million Americans. Will it impact your credit union? The EO permits retirement plan fiduciaries to choose alternative assets, as described in the EO and defined below, when they deem such investments to result in “appropriate, net risk-adjusted returns” for the assets they manage.
What National Financial Awareness Day means for the protection industry
What National Financial Awareness Day means for the protection industry
How advisers should support clients through the CI claims process
How advisers should support clients through the CI claims process
Understanding business protection as an extension of wealth management
Understanding business protection as an extension of wealth management
Pointers for putting life cover in trust
This site is designed for use by professional financial advisers only. It is not intended for use by consumers. By continuing, you confirm that you are a professional adviser. If you are not a professional adviser our consumer site to help you find an adviser for protection advice will follow soon.
How talking can save lives: Understanding the work of Samaritans
In reading this article you will understand: How The Samaritans Training & Engagement Programmes (STEP) can help you identify and support those that may be feeling vulnerable. The scope of the programme and the skills you’ll develop. How critical counselling services can be for friends and family at a time of unimaginable grief.
Banishing the fear – Reframe Cancer on the importance of catching cancer early - Protection Guru
Banishing the fear – Reframe Cancer on the importance of catching cancer early
Merchant of Venice - er, of RECORD
Whenever I see the word “merchant”, I think of the Merchant of Venice, a play by William Shakespeare about a guy named Antonio who can’t pay back a loan he took out on behalf of a friend. It’s a memorable story, with characters in disguise and the earliest known use of the phrase, “a pound of flesh.” But how does it relate to a Merchant of Record? Like the title character, the Merchant of Record is working on behalf of someone else.
What advisers can learn from cancer survivors in the protection industry
Why menopause support must be tailored to the individual
Why menopause support must be tailored to the individual
Does the age criteria for Business Critical Illness Insurance offer enough choice?
Does the age criteria for Business Critical Illness Insurance offer enough choice?
How Zurich’s Pregnancy and Early Childhood Cover Offers A Unique Approach To Expectant Families
How Zurich’s Pregnancy and Early Childhood Cover Offers A Unique Approach To Expectant Families
Exploring enhanced CI benefits for younger ages
This site is designed for use by professional financial advisers only. It is not intended for use by consumers. By continuing, you confirm that you are a professional adviser. If you are not a professional adviser our consumer site to help you find an adviser for protection advice will follow soon.
How Zurich’s Income Protection Maximum Benefit Guarantee Can Help Safeguard Against Over Insurance
How Zurich’s Income Protection Maximum Benefit Guarantee Can Help Safeguard Against Over Insurance
The Exeter announces latest income protection and life cover enhancements
This site is designed for use by professional financial advisers only. It is not intended for use by consumers. By continuing, you confirm that you are a professional adviser. If you are not a professional adviser our consumer site to help you find an adviser for protection advice will follow soon.
Why advisers should be careful of using Relevant Life Cover for mortgages
Why advisers should be careful of using Relevant Life Cover for mortgages
Why we like Royal London’s Critical Illness claims process
Why we like Royal London’s Critical Illness claims process
Should the protection industry do more to promote value-added benefits?
Should the protection industry do more to promote value-added benefits?
Should cancer survivors have the right to be forgotten by UK insurers?
Should cancer survivors have the right to be forgotten by UK insurers?
What is the protection industry doing to be LGBTQ+ inclusive?
What is the protection industry doing to be LGBTQ+ inclusive?
Should more UK insurers provide dual life cover?
This site is designed for use by professional financial advisers only. It is not intended for use by consumers. By continuing, you confirm that you are a professional adviser. If you are not a professional adviser our consumer site to help you find an adviser for protection advice will follow soon.
How to market protection to child-free clients
How to market protection to child-free clients
How do adviser referrals to protection specialists work?
How do adviser referrals to protection specialists work?
Is family income benefit destined to remain a hidden gem?
It is a hidden Gem, and we write lots of it, however the current offering is limited with Guardian not offer indexation and Aviva’s unique offering pricing themselves out of the market, leaving Legal & General, LV, Royal London, Scottish Widows and Zurich usually, which when it comes to underwriting can be very frustrating, when all it takes for Legal & General and Zurich to decline waiver of premiums is for you to sneeze.
Why there is more to bereavement support than counselling
Why there is more to bereavement support than counselling
How protection advisers can support clients through economic abuse
How protection advisers can support clients through economic abuse
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