CURIA's authors, Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) and Ed Royce (R-Calif.), circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter, encouraging other members to co-sponsor the "new and improved" legislation. "The new CURIA is greatly improved and builds upon recommendations made by many experts, including credit union regulators and executives," the letter reads. "We are also very pleased that the new CURIA has been endorsed by the Credit Union National Association and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions."

While NAFCU Director of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler said that members of Congress have indicated that they are "still interested in doing a hearing" on CURIA, other issues have taken priority, like the troubles in the subprime mortgage market. Additionally, Congressman Kanjorski was out for a while after triple bypass surgery, a Pennsylvania Credit Union Association spokesperson pointed out, which may have delayed things some; he is back at work now. Serving the Underserved

The new provision in CURIA to permit non-multiple common bond federal credit unions to adopt underserved areas was necessitated after the American Bankers Association filed twin lawsuits against NCUA in November 2005 regarding field of membership issues. The one in Utah concerning NCUA's approval of several underserved areas for community chartered America First Federal Credit Union ended when the parties agreed to a moratorium in December 2005 and ultimately a final rule in June 2006 to stop non-multiple common bond credit unions from adopting underserved areas. Additionally, America First was stripped of the underserved areas.

Another in Pennsylvania regarding NCUA's approval of a community charter for Members 1st Federal Credit Union for a six-county area is still pending.

Since that time, the number of underserved areas adopted by federal credit unions has plummeted dramatically. Looking at just first quarter figures for 2004 through 2007 for underserved areas, the number climbed from 28 to 49 areas adopted then dropped to 27 and 23 for 2006 and 2007, respectively. A CUNA spokesperson said a broader data set was necessary for a proper comparison, but there may be something there.

According to NCUA Insurance Reports of Activity, just nine underserved areas were added in March, for an average of eight a month so far in 2007; 2006 averaged the same. In 2005, the adoption of underserved areas by federal credit unions averaged approximately 15 per month.

Additionally, the underserved areas adopted in March 2007 adopted included just 897,320 potential members, whereas March 2005 accounted for approximately 2.1 million potential members.

NAFCU's Thaler observed, "My suspicion is it's directly related to the suits and the decision by NCUA to limit the credit unions that are allowed to adopt undeserved areas."

The credit union industry has been working hard to shine light on the bankers' lawsuit that has barred many credit unions from adopting underserved areas while simultaneously telling lawmakers that credit unions are not doing enough to serve the underserved. CUNA President/CEO Dan Mica hit on the issue in his most recent video blog at www.danmica.com. "I can't believe the bankers would brag…about how they were able to stop credit unions, stop credit unions in their tracks, from serving the undeserved, the less fortunate of our society, while they're on Capitol Hill everyday, t alking to people about how we can't fulfill our mission." ABA Senior Economist Keith Leggett commented that the latest Minute neglected to note that NCUA was operating outside the express language of the law by allowing non-multiple common bond credit unions to adopt underserved areas. "Our goal was to stop NCUA's abuse of the underserved loophole to allow community chartered credit unions to serve multiple well-defined local communities," he said.

"There are people on the Hill [to whom] the bankers' hypocrisy is very apparent…" Thaler stated. "The credit unions have gotten a positive reception to that provision in CURIA."

The Mica Minute as well as "The Story of the Little Guy" as posted on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNUEtLRnS3k) made the pages of The Politico newspaper and Web site (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0407/3641.html) recently as these two separate campaigns by CUNA take advantage of this relatively new medium.

"The way Dan saw YouTube, he wanted to get messages out. He was trying to find a way to connect with younger audiences," CUNA Vice President of Communications and Media Outreach Pat Keefe explained. This younger audience would also include Capitol Hill staffers. Keefe said they have received positive feedback on the idea, both with the Mica Minute and "The Story of the Little Guy," and plan to continue to use various means to attract attention to their message.

"The Story of the Little Guy" follows cardboard cut out LG–as he is nicknamed in the video by his golfing buddies–on a metro ride to "big bank" where he waits to speak with a loan officer about a business loan. The banker tells him he is too small for the bank to bother with.

Then credit union guy finds LG sad and says he can help, but, ultimately, the credit union cannot provide him the business loan he needs because the sinister banker will not allow it. It ends with a plug for Congress to give credit unions more flexibility to help the little guy.

"We couldn't and wouldn't give away our strategy…We're going to use the Little Guy in any way we can," Keefe said. He pointed out that the Minnesota Credit Union Network went on a Hike the Hill last week and distributed nine-inch cut outs of various Little Guys, which include military, farmer and other costumes.

"With so much material out there, we always talk about breaking through the clutter and that you have to do something different," Keefe said, promising more unique ideas to come. –[email protected]