Interchange remains just as much a searing issue among Louisiana credit unions as elsewhere but this week "we are being respectful to our Congressional delegation" because of the BP oil spill and sticking to in-district visits, the Louisiana Credit Union League said Friday.

As a result of the altered priorities with so much attention on the Gulf disaster, Louisiana League officials said they doubt there would be much representation among CUs in Washington for an impromptu, three-day "fly in" Hike the Hill reception organized by CUNA next Tuesday.

"I'm not sure we have anybody taking part but our credit unions have done plenty of good work already in meetings with our Congressional delegation on the amendment," said Connie Major, executive vice president of the league. The district meeting was held earlier this week and one Congressional staffer said he found CU reps "a refreshing break" from the complaints of a constituency angry and fearful about the spill's impact.

Regarding the disaster, Major said the trade group has only recently started prepping CU members for hurricane recovery planning and now it may soon have to deal with economic repercussions from the spill on CU members.

Though she has not talked directly to members about the disaster, Major surmised that CUs along the coastline are already making financial aid plans "to help out the fisherman and shrimpers" and businesses impacted by the environmental disaster.