Say farewell to the wisecracking, brainy lawmaker from suburban Boston and say hello to the soft-spoken, courtly former lumber company owner and trial lawyer from Birmingham, Ala.

Rep. Spencer Bachus, who is slated to take over the helm of the House Financial Services Committee from Chairman Barney Frank next year, brings to the job an empathetic ear to credit union issues and a detailed knowledge of financial services policy.

"He is a proven commodity and will definitely give credit unions a fair shake," said former NCUA board member Geoff Bacino. "Credit unions will have every opportunity to make their case. But they will have their work cut out because their rivals will also have every opportunity to make their cases as well."