Jim Nussle, a former eight-term U.S. congressman for his native Iowa, has announced his plans to retire as the CEO of America’s Credit Unions (ACU).
Mr. Nussle, who has been a voice and advocate for the credit union movement since 2014, did not offer an official retirement date, pending the search for his successor.
The ACU was formed in 2024 from the merger of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), and the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions. Mr. Nussle was appointed as the inaugural CEO of the combined organization after having served at the helm of CUNA.
“After a long career in advocacy from both sides of the policy making table, leading CUNA and the honor of helping to create and lead America’s Credit Unions, it is soon time for me to pursue new interests in retirement,” he said in a news release. “My announcement today is intended to provide the board the time to conduct a thorough national search to find the next leader for the Association,” Mr. Nussle said in a news release and on his social media Friday, April 4.
Prior to his role with the ACU, he led CUNA as its president and CEO for 10 years.
“After a 40-year career, it is time for me to pursue new opportunities in retirement and spend more time with my family,” he wrote. “Serving the credit union industry in this role is the best job I’ve ever had, and I am forever grateful to have been part of this movement for a quarter of my career.”
Mr. Nussle, a Republican, represented Iowa’s first and second districts during his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives (1991-2007). During that time, he also chaired the House Budget Committee for six years. The panel is responsible for overseeing the federal budget process, including all its budget’s bills and resolutions.
In 2007, Mr. Nussle was selected by President George W. Bush to be the 36th director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). In that role, he served in the president’s cabinet.
In February of 2009, the former congressman served on the founding board and as a special advisor of Growth Energy, a trade association of renewable energy companies and industry partners.
According to America’s Credit Unions, its board has selected the Vice Chair Karen Harbin to lead a search committee to find his replacement. The global organizational consultant, Korn Ferry, will assist in the search.
On X and LinkedIn last week, Mr. Nussle also pledged that his retirement “will not disrupt our advocacy efforts and ongoing fight to protect the credit union status and ensure credit unions have an environment to thrive.”
His announcement comes on the heels of 36 House members (20 Republicans and 16 Democrats) writing a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee urging it to protect credit unions when drafting legislation. The House members stressed the same message in their “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” campaign.
A native Iowan, Mr. Nussle received a degree in political science from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and his law degree from Drake University in Des Moines. He and his wife Karen live in Wisconsin, and have two adult children.
