At the end of "It's a Wonderful Life," we never really know if George Bailey retires from the Bailey Building and Loan in Bedford Falls or not-but I won't be retiring from North Side Community Federal Credit Union. I'm moving on to a new position as executive director at Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago next month. After 10 years at North Side, I'd like to offer a couple of reflections on my experience.

While I never experienced an examiner throwing a dollar in the hat like at the end of the film, I have to say they have been fair and even helpful. I hear the examiner horror stories, especially from small and community development credit unions. Fortunately, I haven't seen it.

North Side experienced our "Uncle Billy lost the money" moment in 2004 and 2005 with massive charge-offs from an ill-advised indirect lending program and overreaching payday loan alternative. Our examiner was tough but fair. We were straight with her about the problems when we discovered them later than we should have. She trusted us and didn't force us into a merger. We righted the ship. Lesson: Communicate with your staff and board, partners, the NCUA and members.