NCUA Releases Interim Guidance on Serving Hemp Businesses

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Aug. 19, 2019) – Federally insured credit unions may provide certain financial services to legally operating hemp businesses under new guidance published today by the National Credit Union Administration.

The guidance will be revised and updated once the United States Department of Agriculture finalizes forthcoming regulations and guidelines. Credit unions will be able to provide the customary range of financial services for business accounts, including loans, to hemp businesses within their fields of membership.

“Lawful hemp businesses provide exciting new opportunities for rural communities,” NCUA Chairman Rodney E. Hood said. “I believe today’s interim guidance keeps with the mission of the nation’s cooperative credit system to serve people who have been overlooked and underserved. Many credit unions have a long and successful history of providing services to the agriculture sector. My expectation is that credit unions will thoughtfully consider whether they are able to safely and properly serve lawfully operating hemp-related businesses within their fields of membership.”