If current suits and investigations produce a legal precedent, will the NCUA sue the three major credit ratings agencies to recover losses suffered by Western Corporate Federal Credit Union and others?

"In connection with any problem case that involves NCUA intervention and significant cost to the NCUSIF, NCUA evaluates all avenues of recovery," said John McKechnie, director of public and congressional affairs.

Thursday, California Attorney General Jerry Brown issued subpoenas to Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, ordering them to provide information on their ratings processes by Oct. 19. Brown is investigating whether the firms violated California law. Attorneys general Andrew Cuomo of N.Y. and Richard Blumenthal of Conn. previously announced their own investigations.