New York credit union executives and their business accountmembers scored another vote for member business lending legislationthis week, when a contingency visiting Rep. Carolyn Maloney's office got the Democrat to verballypledge she would vote yes should the bill come to a vote during thelame duck session.

The group was hiking the hill on Wednesday as part of anorganized CUNA event in support of member business lendinglegislation during the lame duck session.

A release from the Credit Union Association of New York reportedthe group also prompted a phone call from Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.),primary sponsor of S. 2231, which would raise the member businesslending cap to 27.5% of assets.

The call occurred during a Tuesday evening meeting with Schumerin which the powerful senator helped the credit union groupstrategize ways to pass the bill during the lame duck session.After hearing about efforts to get the bill to the Senate floor fora vote, Schumer immediately pulled out his cell phone and calledUdall for an update and to discuss next steps.

Credit unions also scored open ears from Republican New Yorkcongressmen Chris Gibson and Michael Grimm, who said during theirmeetings with their constituents they would “closely review thelegislation if it advances.”

“It was important to me to be part of this Hike because I wantedto voice my support one more time, knowing how close we are toachieving this goal,” said Ann Hynes, president/CEO of $68 millionSt. Pius X Church FCU of Rochester, N.Y.

“The tone of the meetings was very positive, and you could sensethat we are close. It was clearly the right time for one morepush,” Hynes said.

While in Washington, CUANY President/CEO William J. Mellin andBoard Member John Gibardi, president/CEO of the $14 millionEntertainment Industries FCU of New York City, met with NCUAChairman Debbie Matz to discuss credit unions' efforts andchallenges following Hurricane Sandy.

Topics discussed included how credit unions are helping theirmembers and communities; lessons learned; the importance ofcooperation; the success of shared branching following thehurricane; and future challenges credit unions may face,particularly in mortgage lending.

“I was encouraged to hear that the agency is taking steps toencourage credit unions to assist distressed members by allowingflexibility in meeting lending needs,” Gibardi said. “This—pairedwith NCUA's commitment to have field staff recognize that membersmay also need flexibility in repaying those loans in the future—isexactly what credit unions need.”