Banks Don't Belong in Shared Branch Networks

The question has been raised whether credit unions that convert to banks should be permitted to stay in their shared branching networks, and I think the answer is simple. Credit union shared branch networks are for all credit unions, large and small, to gain a branch network that the banks already have in place. It’s for credit unions to be convenient to all members without impacting the bottom line of the credit union. Banks are able to finance their branch network through various means that credit unions are not able to. The credit unions that have converted are now able to bring in commercial loans, issue bonds, issue stock, and perform other services that credit unions usually don’t have an outlet for. Now that these institutions have converted why let them have the outlet of shared branching. They wanted to be a bank, let them be a bank!!! Joseph Amellio Assistant Manager Clara Barton FCU Washington, D.C.