ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA Vice Chairman Rodney Hood recently reiterated one of his goals of easing regulatory burdens to make member business loan programs easier for credit unions to implement. As part of President Bush's National Small Business Week, which took place last week, Hood visited two Texas credit union service organizations active in helping credit unions assist small businesses. On April 12, Hood visited $567 million EECU and $1.5 billion Texans Credit Union, the largest producer of credit union member business loans in Texas, according to NCUA. Hood discussed how NCUA might facilitate communicating best practices to other credit unions as well as easing regulatory burdens currently in place. He also said he believes the 12.25% MBL cap is "an unnecessary burden on credit unions with a proven record of member business lending." "I do not believe that well-managed, well-capitalized credit unions need to be micromanaged, Hood said. "And I appreciate the impact that member business lending is having on local economies." Since joining NCUA's Board, Hood has made regulatory flexibility and member business lending key priorities of his agenda. At each credit union, Vice Chairman Hood received an overview of best practices for working with small business.