WASHINGTON– Even as it reduces its workforce by a fifth and has at least a half-dozen people in acting leadership roles, NCUA appears to be functioning as it should, according to America’s Credit Unions.
The trade group said during a media call that it remains firm in calling for the NCUA board to be returned to its full complement of three members—it currently has just one member, Chairman Kyle Hauptman, as fired board members Todd Harper and Tanya Otsuka pursue their case in court—and that it is monitoring the agency amid the Trump administration’s order that it reduce its workforce by 20%.
As the CU Daily has reported, NCUA said it is on track to meet the workforce reduction, with many employees accepting buyouts.
Loss of Institutional Knowledge
Ann Petros, VP-policy engagement and credit union operations with America’s Credit Unions, said the agency is being affected by the loss of “institutional knowledge” and the resulting effects on the examiner workforce, including the departure of some supervisory examiners.
“There is a shift happening and we are hopeful that with the hiring freeze lifting that the agency will be able to beef up its examiner force and fill those roles, because, obviously that’s important to ensuring safety and soundness,” said Petros. “But for the most part the agency is moving forward and operating as usual.”
One question that remains, said Petros, is how discretionary actions, rulemakings and other activities will be handled with a one-person board.
