WASHINGTON -- Following the release of NCUA's Member ServicesAssessment Pilot Program report, CUNA informed members of Congressthat it would be pursuing legislation to allow all federal creditunion charter types to adopt underserved areas.

In a letter delivered to the chairmen and members of the SenateBanking and Finance Committees, as well as the House Ways and Meansand Financial Services Committees, CUNA President/CEO Dan Micawrote, "While NCUA's report presents an accurate picture of whofederal credit unions are now serving, it is clear that creditunions could be even more inclusive in serving greater numbers ofAmericans of modest means. The report highlights the fact thattraditional field of membership restrictions have generallyinhibited credit unions' ability to reach out to greater numbers ofunderserved individuals and proposes legislative changes to addressthese restrictions." Along these lines, CUNA, its member statecredit union leagues and credit unions nationwide will becontacting Congress to urge enactment of these legislativeproposals.

"I am pleased that the NCUA report reaffirms that credit unionsare fulfilling their traditional mission of serving lower andmiddle-income working Americans, including many families who livepaycheck to paycheck," Mica added.

CUNA reiterated some of the report's findings, including:

o60% of FCU members have annual incomes of less than$60,000;

o82% of FCU members earn less than $75,000 a year; and

o83% of FCUs offering share/checking accounts and ATM servicesfree to members.