With 1,034 signatures as of 10 a.m. EST on Monday, the Chip Filson-led White House petition to reform the NCUA Board nomination process has achieved just 1% of a 100,000-signature threshold that will trigger an official response.
However, the Callahan & Associates chairman’s movement to appoint cooperative-minded board members has picked up two endorsements that could bring more signatures: the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based core processing CUSO CU*Answers and Bank Transfer Day founder Kristen Christian.
CU*Answers created a webpage that provides information and tools credit unions can use to promote the petition via member email, online banking messaging, web banners and social media. Print materials to educate credit union employees are also available. The CUSO has also waived its “Member Connection” e-communication fees through March 26, the date the petition must meet the 100,000-signature threshold, thus delivering the message to credit union members for free.
“Supporting the agenda in the petition is a no brainer,” said CEO Randy Karnes. “Why would anyone vested in the credit union business not want the president to respond to our hopes to improve the NCUA? Everyone should want every administration to take the credit union industry and the NCUA seriously enough to explain their approach and garner our support.”
Christian announced her support of the effort in a March 1 release from Callahan. Filson also announced his interest in being nominated to the NCUA Board.
“American consumers deserve and demand regulators be appointed who understand the cooperative principles,” Christian said, “I pray President Obama considers the positive impact an experienced regulator can have on both our economy and country.”
