Speaking out on the two most recent disaffiliations from CUNA,the chairman of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico appealedanew for industry unity Tuesday, calling the CU exits “simply crazywhen you consider the fast-moving events we are dealing with inWashington.”

Commenting on the trade group departure this month by two largeAlbuquerque CUs, the $1 billion New Mexico Educators CU and the$570 million Kirtland FCU, William Jacobs, the elected head ofCUANM, said he was profoundly puzzled at the resignations, adding,“I just don't understand the logic” when much is at stake oncorporates, industry image, interchange, business lending andmore.

The two CUs have been mostly mum on their reasons except to hintat disputes over MBLs, secondary capital and unspecified politicalgripes with CUNA leadership.

David Seely, president/CEO of Kirtland, told Credit UnionTimes he would have “no comment” on his disaffiliation andquestioned, “Why is this news? If I resign from the AlbuquerqueChamber of Commerce, is that news?”

Like other CUANM leaders, Jacobs, who is also president/CEO ofWhite Sands FCU of Las Cruces, expressed dismay and “frustration”at the disaffiliations but stressed the league would in name stillbe representing the two departed CUs before public bodies eventhough both would not be paying dues.

He said the confluence of so many key industry issues have meant“we have spent more time in Washington than we ever have in thelast 10 years.”

He said both of the departing CUs are healthy “and making money”so the question of dues appears not to have figured in theirquitting CUNA and the CUANM.

In a letter sent last week to the CUANM membership and madepublic, Jacobs vowed that the departures, while “troubling,” wouldnot affect the ongoing business and lobbying operations in Santa Feor Washington.

“Credit unions have always had a very strong voice in Washingtonand Santa Fe because of the sheer numbers we represent,” wroteJacobs. The CUANM mission of political advocacy will not change and“we will continue to represent the industry whether you are adues-paying member or not,” he concluded.