The NCUA Board will experience significant turnover in 2013 whenPresident Obama is expected to appoint candidates to fill two outof three spots left vacant by Gigi Hyland, who resigned in October2012, and Michael Fryzel, whose term ends Aug. 2, 2013.

Because the NCUA board must not have more than two members fromthe same political party, Obama will have to appoint both aDemocrat and a Republican, as Chairman Debbie Matz is aDemocrat.

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Most industry experts say Obama will likely wait until Fryzel'sappointment ends before appointing Hyland's replacement, so he canpresent the Senate with both Democrat and Republican nominees,which should make the confirmation process smoother.

Because Hyland'sterm ended Aug. 2, 2011, her replacement will not serve a fullsix years, but rather, just four once the seat is filled in 2013.Most industry veterans say that means Obama is likely to nominate aRepublican to fill Hyland's seat, and save the Democrat nominationfor Fryzel's replacement, because he or she would serve a fullsix-year term that would overlap three years into the nextpresident's administration.

That leaves just Matz and Republican Fryzel to reach unanimousagreement on all new board proposals for the next nine months. Inthe past, the two have voted in sync, with Hyland casting theopposing vote. However, in the months leading up to the election,Fryzel has voiced opposition to some of Matz's proposals. It isuncertain whether Fryzel was positioning himself for a possiblechair position should Mitt Romney have won, or if he truly opposesthe measures, which include a controversial rule that gives theNCUA more authority over CUSOs.

Very few names have been mentioned as being considered by theWhite House to fill the posts. Former NCUA Board Member andDemocrat Geoff Bacino is one potential candidate. Other names, likeformer BECU CEO Gary Oakland and former CUNA CEO and Democrat Dan Mica werefloated in 2011 when Hyland's term expired, but they have not beenmentioned much this year. Capitol Hill veterans say Obama mayselect a wild card for the Democratic post, like somebody whohelped him win re-election by successfully campaigning orfundraising in a swing state.