NASCUS Annual Conference to Focus on CU-to-Bank Conversion Issue

ARLINGTON, Va. - Attendees at NASCUS' upcoming 40th Annual Conference & Symposium will have the opportunity to participate in what is sure to be a lively discussion during a "Credit Union to Bank Charter Conversion Colloquium" which will bring together concerned leaders in the credit union movement for a frank assessment of some credit unions' conversions to a bank charter. The colloquium on Aug. 27 will be facilitated by CUNA Mutual Group SVP Larry Blanchard and Iowa Superintendent of Credit Unions Jim Forney and will include as panelists Texas Credit Union League President/CEO Dick Ensweiler; Filene Research Institute Executive Director Bob Hoel; and Mitch Lucas, the former general counsel of Washington's Credit Union before it became First Security Bank of Washington. The colloquium will attempt to answer questions such as: What is driving some credit unions to convert to a bank charter? Does the credit union charter need fixing? Is it right to put up regulatory "roadblocks" to the conversion process? In addition to the colloquium, the three-day conference will also feature author and Brookings Institute Guest Scholar Martin Mayer who will give the keynote speech during the Aug. 25th general session. According to NASCUS, Mayer will speak about the underserved markets for financial services and the relevance of credit unions and mutuals to meet that problem. Also on the agenda for that day will be Marva Williams, VP of the Wookstock Institute who will speak on the topic of "Payday Lending Alternatives for Credit Unions." The NASCUS Annual Conference & Symposium will be held Aug. 25-27 in Chicago.