Reflecting on my nine years on the NAFCU Board, this has beenone of the busiest congressional sessions in recent memory, withnew bills introduced almost daily that would significantly impactour industry. The various federal regulatory agencies have beenbusy, too.

We are in a climate of pocketbook politics, with legislatorseager to alleviate the financial distress of constituents and withregulators feeling the heat as well. Unfortunately, this has notproduced a positive legislative or regulatory climate for creditunions.

Watching from Baton Rouge, I have been impressed by NAFCUstaff's political acumen, protecting us from legislation that mighthave an adverse impact, while also ensuring that credit unioninterests and objectives are proactively advanced.