The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unionshas written an open letter protesting what it described as theshabby and unfair treatment Carla Decker received from the credit union industry in herpursuit of a seat on the NCUA Board.

News Update:
March28, 2012, NCUA Bans Credit Union Board Member for DeckerDisclosure

Decker, whom the Obama Administration had nominated for theposition, withdrew her name from consideration for the seat lastweek. She is CEO of the 10,600-member, $46 million DistrictGovernment Employees Federal Credit Union, a CDCU.

“We were stunned and, frankly, disgusted at the treatment hernomination received within the credit union movement” wroteNational Federation CEO Clifford Rosenthal. “Among the lowlights were anonymous attacksshared with and repeated by the credit union press, and even worse,unlawful disclosure of examination findings and recommendations –an action that presumably is still under investigation byNCUA.”

Credit Union Times published a story based on an NCUA examination report from thecredit union that it had obtained.

Rosenthal also objected to the attacks on Decker based upon herbeing the CEO of smaller credit union.

“Despite the relentless wave of consolidations and mergers, alarge portion of the credit union movement remains under $50million – and many, a lot smaller than that,” Rosenthal wrote.

“There is widespread feeling among smaller credit unions thattheir larger colleagues would be delighted to see them vanishtomorrow – notwithstanding the political benefits these smallcredit unions conveniently provide on Capitol Hill,” he added. Healso protested the attacks on Decker's CU for having made an$80,000 auto loan. “Reality check: low-income credit unions byregulation and good business practice serve at least a majority oflow-income members” Rosenthal wrote. “In fact, for many low-incomecredit unions, it is vitally important to have a mix ofmiddle-income or other members – often, we tell our members that an80/20 rule – 80% low- and moderate-income, 20% other – helpssustain the business. Attacking this loan, which presumably waslegal, was a cheap shot,” he argued.

Decker told Credit Union Times in an exclusiveinterview earlier this week that she would go through the processagain.