CUNA just sent out 2,000 surveys to randomly selected credit unions of all sizes from all regions of the country.
Respondents will be asked to evaluate the caliber of examiners and how realistic their recommendations for improving a credit unions operations and financial performance. They will also be able to say if they experienced retaliation for challenging findings or if the examiner made "philosophically inappropriate" or financially unsound recommendations.
CUNA Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Mary Mitchell Dunn said the group issues the survey every few years and shares the results with its members and state and federal regulators.
She said as a result of member comments in past surveys, federal examiners have taken a more understanding approach when looking at credit unions' books.
"They have not always done all that our members or we wanted, but they have been more willing to see their position,'' Dunn said of NCUA and its counterparts in the states.
New State Regulators Take a Trip
To Get A Washington Orientation
WASHINGTON -- Newly appointed credit union regulators from Alaska, Michigan and New York received two days of intensive training on the workings of Washington and the credit union system earlier this month.
The orientation, sponsored by NASCUS, featured meetings with NCUA Chairman Michael E. Fryzel and NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland and with staff members of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The regulators also met with NASCUS officials.
Fryzel and NASCUS President/CEO Mary Martha Fortney said the sessions will help improve dialogue between federal and state officials.
"It is both important and beneficial that federal and state regulators foster open dialogue," Fryzel said. "Particularly in these times of heightened attention to the safe and sound operations of financial institutions of all kinds, NCUA and the state regulatory system need to work closer than ever to ensure that we fulfill our responsibilities."
Fortney said her organization is "pleased that we can bring new commissioners to the Washington area to welcome them to the credit union system and to meet with federal regulators and policymakers in the early part of their tenure as commissioners.''
Those attending the event were: Lorie Hovanec, director, Alaska Division of Banking and Securities; Martin Cofsky, deputy superintendent of banks, New York State Banking Department; and Ken Ross, commissioner, Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation. Two members of Ross' staff were also at the event.
Fryzel and Hood Now on the List to Speak At NAFCU Caucus in September
WASHINGTON -- Two of the top federal regulators of credit unions next month will address executives of the credit unions they oversee.
NCUA Chairman Michael E. Fryzel and Vice Chairman Rodney Hood are the latest addition to the roster of confirmed speakers at NAFCU's Congressional Caucus in September.
The caucus, scheduled to take place Sept. 14-17 in Washington, will include speeches and the chance for attendees to lobby members of the congressional delegation from their state. The keynote speech will be given by NBC White House Correspondent David Gregory.
Other speakers include Fannie Mae Chairman/CEO Daniel Mudd, Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), a leading credit union supporter, and 10 other lawmakers.
The event will be Fryzel's second appearance at a credit union industry event since taking over his position earlier this month. He is scheduled to speak at NASCUS' conference of state regulators on Aug. 21 in Seattle.
For additional information on the NAFCU event, or to register, go to www.nafcu.org.
Credit Unions Can Access Archived
NAFCU Webcast on Share Insurance
WASHINGTON -- Credit unions wanting information on share insurance can consult the archived copy of NAFCU's Webcast on the subject for the next six months. The Webcast is free, but registration is required at www.Share InsuranceWebcast archive.
The Webcast covers the fundamentals of the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. NCUA attorney Frank Kressman was the featured speaker, and NAFCU Director of Regulatory Compliance Anthony Demangone moderated. More than 1,400 people logged into the original broadcast on July 25.
In addition to the webcast, NAFCU offers statement inserts on share insurance at www.nafcu.org/inserts for interested credit unions.
NAFCU said it put on the seminar and receiving a large number of inquiries from its members following some high-profile bank failures.
--cmarx@cutimes.com
