ARLINGTON, Va. – The NASCUS leadership is exploring the possibility of implementing an affinity agreement with Fannie Mae for state-chartered credit unions, similar to the ones NAFCU has with Fannie Mae and which CUNA has with Freddie Mac. NASCUS Vice President, National Advocacy Jonathan Lindley said Fannie Mae took the initiative last year and approached NASCUS to work out an arrangement with the association that would give state-chartered credit unions greater access to the secondary mortgage market. Lindley said the "issue and discussions are continuing." At this time what's holding up progress on an affinity arrangement between NASCUS and Fannie Mae, he said, is some NASCUS members question whether NASCUS should enter into "these sorts of arrangements since they don't see NASCUS as being a typical trade association." Lindley said "the matter is under consideration by the NASCUS leadership. This is an on-going debate, and the ball is in NASCUS' court." He added that Fannie Mae remains very enthusiastic about a possible affinity arrangement with NASCUS.