ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA Board Member Richard Metsger said Tuesdayhe has not met with President Barack Obama to discuss credit unionissues.

Obama nominated the former Oregon state lawmaker to the NCUAboard in May of this year. He was approved by the Senate and tookoffice this summer.

“I know this is going to come as a shock to you but thepresident has not invited me over to discuss those issues,” saidMetsger in an interview Tuesday at NCUA headquarters in Alexandria.“I know it's hard to believe but I'd be more than happy to do thatif the president would like my opinion on that but I think he's gota full plate right now.”

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In the interview, Credit Union Times asked Metsger forhis assessment of the way credit unions are handling the current government shutdown.

“I've been on the blogs reading different associations'newsletters and it seems like on a global basis, coast to coast,credit unions are once again answering the call,” said Metsger, whoserved on the Board of Directors of the Portland Teachers CreditUnion from 1993 to 2001.

“That's what credit unions do and part of their responsibilityis to work with their members through difficult times, not justeasy times,” he said, “and that's something they should be veryproud of. It's also something they need to continue to do and thenon the advocacy front, again, they can't assume everybody knowsthat. I always tell people you need to make sure that people knowyou're answering the call.”

Metsger recalled a recent broadcast news story he saw involvingfederal employees who turned to their national bank for assistanceduring the shutdown.

“It was not a flattering story as it was portrayed by thatparticular couple. They called the bank who said, 'The first thingyou have to do is pay the mortgage.' 'Well, that's why I'm callingbecause how are we going to pay the mortgage?' And they said,'well, can you borrow from friends?'” he said, paraphrasing thereport.

“Once that aired, of course, the bank was very apologetic andthey had a follow-up story – they've contacted people. But how manypeople are going to get a news reporter to do a story on televisionin order to get a financial institution to respond to them? I thinkthat's where credit unions have always shined. You don't need to beon television to come and help,” he added.

Metsger was also asked for his opinion of Janet Yellen, Obama's choice for chairman of the Fed.

“I would be blowing smoke if I told you that I had a greatbackground on Janet Yellen and the credit union community, I don'tknow. What I have read about Janet Yellen is she's really wellregarded. She has a very impressive resume,” he said.

“I know there's a lot of thought that she will be more likely tofollow in the steps of Ben Bernanke – that pleases some people,maybe not so much others,” Metsger said.