Newsroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington (June 21, 2016) - National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) President and CEO Dan Berger today applauded the introduction by Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, and Donald Norcross, D-N.J., of a NAFCU-sought bill that would allow credit unions of all charter types to add underserved areas to their fields of membership.

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., is an original cosponsor of the bill.

"We are grateful for Representatives Ryan's, Norcross' and Kirkpatrick's leadership in seeking to remove barriers that limit consumers' access to essential financial services," said Berger. "NAFCU applauds this long-overdue move to allow credit unions to reach out to consumers who need their services the most."

Currently, only credit unions with multiple-group charters are able to add underserved areas to their fields of membership. This bill, the "Financial Services for the Underserved Act," would allow other types of credit unions to seek the NCUA Board's approval to add such areas. The legislation would require them to have a method for servicing those new underserved areas within 24 months.

NAFCU has long advocated allowing credit unions more flexibility in reaching out to underserved areas and for the modernization of field-of-membership requirements. NCUA currently has a NAFCU-backed field of membership proposed rule pending before the board.

The National Association of Federal Credit Unions is the only national trade association focusing exclusively on federal issues affecting the nation's federally insured credit unions. NAFCU membership is direct and provides credit unions with the best in federal advocacy, education and compliance assistance.www.nafcu.org.

Patty Briotta
Director of Public Relations
Office:703-842-2820
pbriotta@nafcu.org