WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Realtors may charter a federal credit union to provide a variety of services to its 1.2 million members, including health savings accounts and retirement planning.

NAR CEO Dale Stinton reportedly presented the idea to directors recently as part of a larger package of initiatives that also include forming a technology corporation to develop applications for the real estate industry, a new Web site and a fund to respond to potential threats from Capital Hill.

NAR spokesman Lucien Salvant told Credit Union Times, “We are exploring the formation of a credit union but have reached no decision yet. It was proposed as part of a package of planned initiatives, some of which have moved forward; this one hasn't yet. The next meeting of the Board will be in November,” he said.