WASHINGTON - Late last year, two banking groups tried to make some hay out of a higher than desirable vacancy level at NCUA, but NCUA has not been contacted about a study thus far.

Former NCUA Board Member Debbie Matz raised concerns over NCUA's 35 vacancies and 7,500-hour exam deficit last July, which America's Community Bankers and the Independent Community Bankers of America highlighted in a year-end letter to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Mike Oxley (R-Ohio). Given credit unions' foray into business lending and the 281 problem credit unions, ACB and ICBA said, "This is a situation that could become a potential crisis that should be reviewed. We recommend that you consider asking for a CBO or GAO study to determine the implications this deficiency may be causing to the safety and soundness of the credit union industry."

Since last summer NCUA has worked to close the gap on its vacancies. After cutting the number of authorized full-time equivalents by three to 958 for 2006, the agency has 26 vacancies or 2.7% as of April 30. Of these, 13 positions are in NCUA's Alexandria, Va.-headquarters while the other half are in other d regions, including six field positions. An NCUA spokesperson said the agency had not been contacted by the Government Accountability Office about the bankers' request of Oxley.