With the goal of placing more emphasis on local decision making,State Employees' Credit Union is expanding its volunteer loanreview committee system.

The board of directors of the $27 billion credit union inRaleigh, N.C., approved the measure.

There are currently 85 member-volunteers serving on 13 loanreview committees for SECU.

With the expansion to a new member loan review committee format,the number of committee volunteers will increase to 276, accordingto SECU.

Committees are being established in all 46 SECU districts to serve the 253 branches in North Carolina.

The expanded committees will allow SECU to place more emphasison local loan review and decision making in the member loan reviewprocess, said Jerry Harmon, SECU's chief lending officer.

“As a member-owned cooperative, SECU knows that volunteerparticipation is critical to better serve all members,” saidHarmon. “The credit union is fortunate to have such dedicated andknowledgeable volunteer advocates and their role in the peer loanreview process is invaluable.”

The transition to the new member loan review committee format will also incorporate SECU's 253branch advisory boards comprised of approximately 3,000 volunteerswho serve as a communication link between members, SECU's staff andthe board of directors, the credit union said.

Many loan review committee members will combine with existingadvisory boards and the 46 member loan review committees will beselected from the combined group of volunteers.

Six members per district will serve a dual volunteer role andreceive additional training for duties on the committees.

The new loan review committee program will be implemented July1, SECU said.