ALEXANDRIA, Va.-After two years of working through the regulatory process, NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar finally saw his `baby' mature. After extensive discussions and a record number of comment letters, Regulatory Flexibility, or Reg-Flex, became a reality. As part of the Reg-Flex program, federal credit unions that maintain a CAMEL 1 or 2 and a net worth of 9% for two consecutive examination periods are automatically eligible for the lifting of certain regulatory burdens. If a credit union meets only one of the requirements, it can still apply with the board for some or all of the regulatory relief benefits of Reg-Flex. These well-managed, well-capitalized credit unions may receive relief in the areas of fixed assets, investments, charitable donations, public unit shares, and eligible obligations. Additionally, the required appraisal threshold is increased from $100,000 to $250,000 for all federally insured credit unions.