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NCUA is looking at how it can publish more of the details related to its operating budget, agency Chairman Debbie Matz told NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger in a response to his request that there be no 2015 budget increase and for budget transparency.

While noting the budget won't be set until the board acts, Matz reiterated her commitment to transparency. "I have instructed our Chief Financial Officer to look into your specific requests," Matz wrote. "Wherever appropriate or feasible, our Chief Financial Officer will prepare disaggregated information to address your letter's requests. We intend to make additional information available to you and the public on our website sometime shortly following the November board meeting."

"NAFCU thanks Chairman Matz for hearing our concerns and for her pledge to ensure transparency in NCUA budgeting," said Berger. "Credit unions work hard for every dollar they earn on the products and services they provide their members on a cooperative basis, and they shepherd these dollars carefully to ensure members get the most value. We look forward to seeing additional details on NCUA's budget and will carefully review those with credit unions' interests in mind."

Berger, Matz and senior staff from NAFCU and NCUA have been in ongoing, lengthy conversations in which NAFCU has emphasized the need for more transparency in how NCUA uses the dollars it receives from credit unions to fund agency operations, and on all the funded programs the agency manages. Berger also continues to urge NCUA to resume public hearings in advance of the board's budget actions, something that was done yearly until about three years ago.