Nearly a week after Bank Transfer Day, the American Credit UnionMortgage Association is wondering will credit unions have astronger presence with Realtors.

ACUMA said since the 2008 housing crash, as many of the nation'shomeowners have struggled with home values and loans, the country'scredit unions “have quietly and consistently gained share in thehome loan market.” Much of those gains have been realized inrefinance loans, ACUMA noted.

“Credit unions have stayed the course, conducted their businessaffairs truly in the best interest of their members, even when thetemptation of huge profits were being reported by many otherlenders,” said ACUMA Chairman Bob McKay.

The National Association of Realtors' Conference and Expo takesplace Friday through Monday at the Anaheim Convention Centerin California. ACUMA willhave an exhibit booth at the convention.

Pointing out the number of new accounts the industry opened onBank Transfer Day, ACUMA asked “[will] Realtors pay moreattention to credit unions as viable mortgage lenders in the waketo millions of consumers transferring their funds from banks tocredit unions?”

The group pointed to several opportunities that may aid creditunions in building their mortgage presences including the revisedHome Affordable Refinance Program, which pertains to existing loansheld by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

While details of the changes are set to be released over thenext few weeks, ACUMA said expanding HARP to borrowers who are morethan 25% underwater and increasing the current 125% loan to valueHARP threshold may be among the changes.

McKay said because credit unions have remained on track withtheir mortgage programs, “the reward for maintaining our high levelof professionalism and trust may now expand our ability to servemany more homeowners for refinance and purchase money loans in thefuture.”