CREDIT UNION TIMES Vol. 10, No. 1 January 6, 1999

Looking back five years ago finds the American Bankers Association preparing to sue NCUA over its Chartering and Field of Membership Manual (IRPS 99-1). “NCUA is somewhat vulnerable, shall we say,” said an ABA insider close to the issue. “The 3,000-potential member economic viability standard and NCUA’s discouragement of new credit union formation as well as the comments of a few members of Congress are very significant points of vulnerability.” Also in that issue discord between NCUA Board Chairman Norman D’Amours and board member Yolanda Wheat rose again to the surface when each presented similar but structurally different proposed small credit union programs. “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” said Wheat after D’Amours’ proposal failed to be seconded and Wheat’s came up for consideration, “and I’m pleased that the chairman has taken the proposal developed by my office and virtually word-for-word adopted the vast majority of it.However, the components the chairman added to the proposal detract from the effectiveness of it as well as leaving many matters ambiguous-so now I offer the original for board consideration.” Both programs were tabled when board member Dennis Dollar refused to support either.