As I was perusing the Editor’s Column in the May 16 edition, oneof the suggestions caught my attention.

Sarah Snell Cooke suggested that maybe the best education a newexaminer could get was to have a credit union show them how wework. May I suggest an alternative that might work much better?Have the NCUA get some credit unions in that examiners’ region thatare well run to train them for about 30 days in the various aspectsof the credit union business. These would be strong, well run CUswith a history of excellent exams and service to members. Creditunion in the $50 million to $250 million range would be a greatplace to start. They could be state charters, so there would beless chance for some kind of improper relationship to form.

I know we would be happy to train a few examiners (one to twoper year) by just showing them how we do what we do. We could onboard them like a new employee with philosophy, etc. Then let themwork on the teller line; as a new accounts person; in the direct,indirect, real estate and business loan areas; incollections; in IT and in the accounting areas.

While the education would be somewhat shallow in each area, theNCUA could set minimum standards for each area for their ownemployee, and we would be happy to help them achieve theirgoals.

Kind of a hair brained idea, but since Cooke raised the trainingissue, I thought I would share my suggestion. It might help withthe learning curve and take the contentiousness out of earlylearning experiences.

James D. Holt
CEO
Mid AmericanCredit Union
Wichita, Kan.