ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Should the NCUA Board approve a final derivatives rule, the interest rate risk management tool could cost the agency as much as $16 million over three years.

The proposed rule, which would permit qualified credit unions to invest in derivative swaps and caps, was approved by the board Thursday at its monthly meeting.

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If finalized, the costs would include one-time charge of $300,000 to train current staff, which would come mid-year 2013. Additional costs this year would also include a $1 million charge for subscriptions to provide for the acquisition, support and maintenance of analytical tools required for appropriate asset liability management supervision.

Once the framework for the rule is in place, the NCUA anticipated it would need between $6.25 and $10.75 million to handle an estimated 75 to 150 applications for the expanded authority.

The agency estimated 2014's one-time expenses would include $4,000 for pay and benefits for additional staff training programs and anywhere from $3.8 million to $6.5 million to hire contract employees to create the program, process applications and assist with supervision.

The actual number would depend upon how many credit unions apply for the expanded authority.

NCUA Director of Examination and Insurance Larry Fazio told the board he recommends hiring contractors over permanent staff because he expects a one-time influx of applications in 2014.

Estimated 2014 expenses for the program also include between $1.8 million and $3.6 million for six to 12 new full time equivalent NCUA employees needed to supervise the authority once granted.

Five to 10 employees would be located in regional offices, with one or two located in the NCUA's Alexandria, Va. headquarters. A recurring charge of $250,000 would also take place in 2014 for subscriptions.

The NCUA anticipates the dust will settle in 2015, and costs for the program would be limited to ongoing pay and benefits for permanent staff and subscriptions, ranging from a little more than $2 million to $3.85 million.

NCUA Board Chairman Debbie Matz and Board Member Michael Fryzel encouraged credit unions and other industry stakeholders to provide feedback during the rule's 60-day comment period regarding whether the agency should charge credit unions applying for the authority fees to cover the added expenses.

Instant Insights /

Onsite Coverage: Derivatives Authority Could Cost NCUA $16M in First Three Years

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