Expanding Access to Lending Options Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4167

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Finance and Financial Sector

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-26: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2026-06-24T08:09:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "Expanding Access to Lending Options Act" (H.R. 4167), aims to give the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board more flexibility in regulating loan terms for federal credit unions. It seeks to expand lending options while prioritizing the safety and soundness of these institutions, as emphasized in a non-binding "sense of Congress" statement.

Key Provisions

• Sense of Congress: Declares that the NCUA, as the regulator of federally chartered credit unions, must prioritize safety and soundness in its oversight to protect these financial cooperatives.
• Amendment to Loan Powers: Modifies Section 107(5) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1757(5)), which governs the types of loans federal credit unions can make:
• Increases the maximum maturity (loan duration) for certain loans from 15 years to 20 years, with the NCUA Board able to allow even longer terms through regulations.
• Removes specific language restricting loans to those for a borrower's principal residence (main home) and related property improvements or purchases.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, federal credit union loans under this section were capped at 15 years and explicitly limited to financing a member's primary home or related real estate.
• The bill extends the maturity limit and broadens the scope by eliminating the residence-specific restriction, allowing the NCUA to adapt rules via regulations. This shifts some authority to the agency for future adjustments.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Empowers the NCUA to regulate loan terms more dynamically, potentially reducing the need for future congressional action on credit union lending rules.
• On Citizens: Credit union members (often individuals and small businesses) may gain better access to longer-term loans for homes, real estate, or other purposes, making borrowing more affordable and flexible without relying solely on banks.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. financial institutions.
• Overall, it could encourage credit unions to compete more effectively with other lenders, potentially increasing financial inclusion for underserved communities.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Credit Unions: Gain expanded lending authority, enabling them to offer more competitive products.
• NCUA Board: Receives regulatory flexibility to set longer loan terms, balancing innovation with risk management.
• Credit Union Members (Citizens): Benefit from potentially easier access to extended loans for housing and other needs.
• Broader Financial Sector: Indirectly affects banks and other lenders by altering credit union competitiveness.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the NCUA's rulemaking authority under the Federal Credit Union Act, promoting administrative flexibility without altering core safety requirements. The changes are narrow and technical, unlikely to face major legal challenges.
• Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves congressional delegation of regulatory power to an executive agency, which is standard and aligns with the Commerce Clause (regulating interstate financial activities).
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad support for easing credit union regulations to aid economic access. The "sense of Congress" reinforces oversight priorities, potentially mitigating concerns about financial risks post-2008 crisis, but it could spark debate on whether longer loans increase systemic vulnerabilities.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]

Cosponsors (43)

Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-26: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-06-26: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Expanding Access to Lending Options Act — issued 2025-06-26 — PDF (2 pages)