Is a credit union classified as an MSB?

A credit union is not classified as a Money Services Business (MSB) under the Bank Secrecy Act. MSBs are defined as financial institutions that engage in certain types of activities such as currency dealing, check cashing, money transfers, and issuing or redeeming money orders or traveler’s checks. In contrast, credit unions primarily provide savings accounts and loans to their members and do not typically engage in the same activities that would classify them as MSBs.

This classification is significant because it determines the regulatory requirements to which the institution must adhere, including compliance measures under the Bank Secrecy Act. Since credit unions operate under a different regulatory framework than MSBs, they are subject to different compliance obligations, particularly regarding AML (anti-money laundering) measures and reporting.

Therefore, stating that a credit union is not classified as an MSB aligns with the established definitions and regulatory guidance regarding the roles of financial institutions.