The NCUA's 2015 operating budget and overhead transfer rate areon the agenda for the Nov. 20 monthly board meeting.

The NCUA board will also receive the quarterly report on thecorporate stabilization fund during the meeting at the agency'sheadquarters in Alexandria, Va.

Agency staff will brief the board on the estimated range ofpremiums for the NCUSIF and any assessment for the corporatestabilization fund.

CUNA told CU Times Wednesday the NCUA's overallpersonnel costs need to be reviewed and budget increases shouldnot be automatic every year.

“It's almost like the budget increases are automatic and we'rejust asking the board members to stop and pause – is there a needto increase the budget ever year?” Mary Dunn, senior vice presidentand deputy general counsel at CUNA said.

“We're not saying that NCUA employees that perform well andactually provide good value to the agency don't deserveconsideration for merit increases but we do think this whole areaof employee costs in something that needs to be reviewed. Everyorganization needs to review it and I think credit unions don'thave the awareness of what NCUA may be doing to hold costs down inthat area,” she added.

Carrie Hunt, NAFCU senior vice president of government affairsand general counsel, said NAFCU would not support any budgetincrease unless there is a demonstrated need.

“We're looking for a conservative, responsible budget,” Huntsaid. “It has increased in recent years, yet the number ofinstitutions is decreasing.”