For possibly the first time, credit unions last week testified before a joint subcommittee hearing on the Communities First Act, legislation that was drafted by a former community banker primarily to benefit community banks. Kudos to the trades for getting the invites; that's a first step toward gaining greater recognition in Washington.

However, the CU representatives did not take full advantage of the opportunity. The community bankers repeatedly brought up the "unlevel playing field" argument, and CUNA and NAFCU still didn't say they'd oppose the Sub S tax break expansion or any other part of this banker regulatory relief bill if CUs did not receive equal consideration.

Rep. David Scott pressed NAFCU President/CEO Fred Becker as to whether NAFCU was actively opposing the legislation. While before the lawmakers, Becker said credit unions merely wanted balanced legislation between credit unions and bank authority enhancement. NAFCU's written statement read, "We cannot support it at this time." CUNA President/CEO Bill Cheney followed up but didn't directly answer the question either. Take a stand: If CUs don't get balance, we will oppose it. Be assertive without being obnoxious.