WASHINGTON -- From the beginning, CUNA has urged NCUA to take a long, hard look at the possibility of developing guidelines that address unsolicited merger attempts and today, the trade group is just as adamant.

"It seems as if the bell has been sounded in this particular round over credit union consolidation," said Dan Mica, president/CEO of CUNA. "However, a longer view shows the movement still has no clear guidance on the broader questions that were raised."

CUNA, NAFCU, several leagues and others in the industry have called on NCUA to take a more proactive stance. The regulator has previously said it would not take a "passive" role when it comes to mergers especially if issues of regulatory and legal concern have been thrown in the mix and above all else, the interests of the members are paramount. Mica said now that the dust has settled, this could be a prime time for some hard discussions.

"Between now and the opening of any new rounds, the movement and the regulatory authorities should be taking careful steps to develop the guidelines and procedures that could more resourcefully deal with these sorts of proposals," Mica said.