Member business lending will continue to be a priority for CUNA as it welcomes Karen Mills, the Small Business Administration's new administrator.

"We look forward to identifying opportunities with the SBA that will help credit unions increase member business lending and help drive the economic recovery," said CUNA President/CEO Dan Mica. "Member business lending is an important endeavor for a number of credit unions; working with Administrator Mills to facilitate those efforts is a priority for our association."

Before 2003, credit unions with geographic or community charters were the only CUs allowed to participate in the SBA's 7(a) program. On Feb. 14, 2003, that restriction was lifted to include all credit unions. Since then, CUNA has kept a dialogue going with the SBA on increasing industry participation. There are now more than 450 credit union SBA lenders.