Banking lobbyists had strong words for the latest credit unionindustry efforts to combine member business lending legislation with anextension of the Transaction Account Guarantee, legislation at the top ofbankers' wish lists.

In a Nov. 23 article in Politico, Independent CommunityBankers of America Executive Vice President Paul Merski said S.2231, which would increase the memberbusiness lending cap to 27.5% of assets, doesn't have enough votesto pass in the Senate. So, credit unions are “trying to attach itlike a barnacle” to the TAG bill, Merski said, which he called non-controversial.

Both Merski and American Bankers Association lobbyist JamesBallentine said their organizations would oppose any attempt tocombine credit union and bank legislation as suggested by creditunion trade associations. Ballentine told Credit UnionTimes in July that he opposed such a package.