---
title: "Reflecting Shifting Base, NAFCU Changes Name"
id: "36318"
type: "post"
slug: "reflecting-shifting-base-nafcu-changes-name"
published_at: "2016-12-20T22:46:51+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-11-09T16:47:55+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/12/20/reflecting-shifting-base-nafcu-changes-name/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/12/20/reflecting-shifting-base-nafcu-changes-name.md"
excerpt: "In the wake of a decision to expand its member base to federally insured credit unions, the National Association of Federal Credit Unions has renamed itself to highlight that expansion."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Membership"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "Business"
  - "Credit Union"
  - "labor organization"
  - "Membership"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "Executive Team"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Executive Leadership"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » Reflecting Shifting Base, NAFCU Changes Name

NAFCU isn’t just about federal credit unions anymore.

As of January 1, in fact, the organization formerly known as the National Association of Federal Credit Unions [will become the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (opens in a new tab)](http://www.housingwire.com/articles/38790-nafcu-changes-name-to-national-association-of-federally-insured-credit-unions)
, with its name reflecting broader changes in its makeup in recent months.

In August, the trade group voted to change its articles of incorporation [to allow state-chartered credit unions](http://associationsnow.com/2016/08/credit-union-group-considers-extending-member-rights-new-base/)
 to become full members, as long as they were federally insured. (NAFCU members approved the decision in September.) The strategy greatly expanded the group’s potential member base. Previously, state-chartered credit unions could join the organization, but at a lower level without voting rights.

The association emphasizes that it is not shifting its mission—just its membership model.

“While our name change reflects our mission to serve all federally insured credit unions, our focus remains the same,” NAFCU Chair Richard L. Harris [said in a news release (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nafcu.org/News/2016_News/December/NAFCU_s_name_will_change_Jan__1/)
. “We remain committed to providing the best in advocacy, education, and compliance assistance at the federal level.”

Despite the name change, NAFCU will not change its logo or acronym, allowing the group to preserve its current brand awareness.

(via NAFCU’s Facebook page)

[Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/)

Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now.

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/)

Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/)
 [#Credit Union](https://associationsnow.com/tag/credit-union/)
 [#labor organization](https://associationsnow.com/tag/labor-organization/)
 [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/)

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