The New York Minute: Compliance Updates, Credit Union Leadership & Community Impact

On By nycuaIn NY Minute

From important compliance developments and upcoming educational opportunities to leadership recognition and meaningful community initiatives, New York’s credit unions continue to demonstrate their commitment to the industry and the people they serve.

Compliance Quarterly Returns November 4 with Sweepstakes Promotion Guidance

The New York Credit Union Association’s Compliance Quarterly series returns Wednesday, November 4, at 11 a.m. with its third session of 2026, “So, you want to run a Sweepstakes Promotion, what could possibly go wrong?”

Led by NYCUA General Counsel Mitchell Pollack, this interactive webinar series addresses frequently asked compliance questions while providing opportunities for education, clarification, and discussion among credit union peers.

Join Mitch for the upcoming session focused on sweepstakes promotions and the compliance considerations credit unions should be aware of when planning these initiatives.

Learn More

Great Erie FCU Announces Retirement of President & CEO Robyn Young

Great Erie Federal Credit Union has announced that President and CEO Robyn Young will retire effective November 1, 2026, following years of dedicated leadership and service to the credit union movement.

Throughout her tenure, Young helped strengthen Great Erie’s financial foundation, modernize its technology, and expand membership opportunities across Erie County and surrounding communities. Beyond her leadership at Great Erie, Young has served on the New York Credit Union Association’s Board of Directors since 2012, including as Board Chair from 2021 to 2023.

“Robyn has been a true champion of the credit union difference throughout her career,” said Association Chief Operating Officer Chris Pajak. “Her commitment to education, her investment in developing future leaders, and her steady hand in guiding Great Erie through growth and transformation have strengthened not only her credit union but our entire movement. Robyn leads with purpose and heart, and the culture of collaboration she built at Great Erie will continue to benefit members well into the future.”

“On behalf of the Association’s Board, we thank Robyn for her vision, dedication, and lasting contributions to New York’s credit union community,” said Ryan Roberts, Association Board Chair and President & CEO of Great Meadow FCU. “She has always understood that credit unions exist to improve lives, and her work expanding access to fair financial services across Erie County reflects the very best of our cooperative principles. Through her service on the Association’s Board, Robyn helped strengthen our shared purpose and guide our work on behalf of credit unions and their members across the state. We congratulate Robyn on a remarkable career and look forward to Great Erie’s continued success under Michael Pierino’s leadership.”

Executive Vice President of Operations Michael Pierino will succeed Young as CEO. Young will transition into a support role beginning November 1 to help ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Beginning December 12, 2026, new Section 27-f of the New York Labor Law will require employers to include an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan), in their workplace first aid supplies; the law was amended in February 2026 to limit the requirement to employers federally mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to have first-aid kits. On September 23, the New York Department of Labor (DOL) proposed regulations explaining how employers would comply. Both state- and federally chartered credit unions should prepare. The law has no credit union exemption or minimum employee count, and a federal charter does not by itself exempt a credit union.

Coverage is tied to OSHA’s first aid standard. If OSHA requires a credit union to keep first aid supplies at a New York location, the new law applies there. This generally includes branches, headquarters, and administrative offices, regardless of size. Each staffed location should be reviewed separately, and supplies at headquarters do not satisfy the requirement at a branch. A location that relies entirely on an adjacent hospital or clinic for first aid may not be covered, but that position should be documented and reviewed by counsel.

Under the proposed regulations, covered employers would have to:

  • Keep enough naloxone on hand to respond quickly to a suspected overdose. There is no fixed number; employers would consider layout, foot traffic, overdose risk, and prior incidents.
  • Store supplies where employees can reach them quickly and tell employees where they are. Locked storage is discouraged but permitted for legitimate security reasons if trained employees can still get to it promptly.
  • Have at least one trained employee present throughout business hours at each covered location. Training must be consistent with New York health department materials.
  • Keep supplies sealed in original packaging with instructions, inspect them regularly, and promptly replace expired, used, or missing doses.
  • Document any arrangement to share compliance with other tenants in a written plan available to DOL on request.

The trained-employee requirement will likely be the most demanding for credit unions. Branches should train enough backups to cover vacations, sick days, breaks, and Saturday hours. New York’s Good Samaritan law generally protects employees who administer naloxone in good faith during an emergency. Credit unions may want to review the law’s specifics with counsel when developing training materials. Separately, OSHA issued a fact sheet on September 24 encouraging all employers to plan for workplace overdose emergencies; it is guidance, not a mandate.

The regulations are still proposed and would take effect upon final adoption, with no separate grace period. Regardless, credit unions should plan to comply with the statute by December 12. That means assigning a program owner, reviewing each location, purchasing supplies (often available at low or no cost through state health programs), training employees and backups, and adding overdose response to existing emergency plans.

Applications Open to Crash the GAC

Applications are now open for Crash the GAC 2027, an opportunity for emerging credit union leaders to experience advocacy firsthand at the Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.

Organized through the Filene Research Institute’s Crash Program, the initiative connects rising professionals with credit union leaders, industry discussions, and opportunities to engage with the issues shaping the future of the movement.

Credit union professionals interested in developing their leadership skills, expanding their networks, and gaining a deeper understanding of advocacy are encouraged to explore this opportunity.

Apply

Rochester Credit Union Leaders Recognized on 2026 Banking & Finance Power List

Six New York credit union leaders have been recognized on the Rochester Business Journal’s 2026 Power List for Banking & Finance, highlighting influential professionals helping shape the region’s financial services industry.

This year’s recognized credit union leaders include:

The annual list recognizes leaders whose work and contributions help strengthen the financial services landscape. Congratulations to these credit union professionals on their recognition and continued leadership throughout the industry.

Teachers FCU Hosts Executive Leadership Forum with Scott Simpson, America’s Credit Unions President & CEO

Teachers Federal Credit Union recently welcomed America’s Credit Unions President and CEO Scott Simpson for an Executive Leadership Forum, bringing together leaders from credit unions across New York.

The event provided an opportunity for credit union executives to connect, exchange perspectives, and discuss the priorities shaping the future of the credit union movement. Through conversations focused on industry challenges and opportunities, participants reinforced the importance of collaboration and shared leadership in advancing the credit union mission.

Sunmark Foundation Celebrates ICU Day Honorees with $20,000 in Awards

The Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation celebrated its 2026 International Credit Union Day honorees, awarding a total of $20,000 to local nonprofit organizations during its eighth annual ICU Day Awards reception at Sunmark Credit Union’s Latham headquarters.

This year’s People Helping People Awards recognized Shelters of Saratoga, The Legal Project and Building Blocks Together Development Corp. for their commitment to strengthening local communities.

The Foundation also honored Emelia Lewandowski with the Susan V. Siegel Community Service Leader Award for her dedication to supporting individuals with disabilities and Akshita Bandari with the “It’s Cool to Be Kind” Student Award for her efforts to provide essential resources and support to communities locally and internationally.

The annual awards celebrate individuals and organizations that exemplify the credit union philosophy of people helping people.

The Summit FCU Helps Build 116 Beds for Children in Need

The Summit Federal Credit Union continues to make a meaningful difference through its partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring children have a safe, comfortable place to sleep.

Through employee volunteer efforts and bed-building events throughout the year in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse, The Summit has helped build 116 beds, providing essential support to children and families in need.

The initiative reflects The Summit’s commitment to community service and the credit union philosophy of people helping people, demonstrating how collaboration and volunteerism can make a lasting impact.

ESL FCU Employees Volunteer to Benefit Full Circle Home

Employees of ESL Federal Credit Union recently came together to support Full Circle Home, an organization dedicated to helping deployed service members stay connected with their loved ones.

More than 50 ESL employees participated in volunteer gift-wrapping events across several offices, preparing more than 3,300 gifts to bring joy to military families during the holiday season.

Through their time and teamwork, ESL employees demonstrated the spirit of giving back and the important role credit unions play in supporting their communities.

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