Skip to main content

Supreme Court Won't Hear FOM Appeal ABA Rendering Case Void

On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States denied an appeal from the American Bankers Association to review the NCUA’s field of membership (FOM) rules.
This decision by the Supreme Court brings to an end an almost four-year legal battle by the AMA against the NCUA.

Shortly after the Supreme Court’s decision, CUNA, NAFCU and CUNA Mutual Group released a joint announcement stating the groups “have long supported the rule and the NCUA’s authority to provide oversight for the credit union industry.”

“Today is a great day for anyone hoping to access the financial well-being afforded by credit unions,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. In denying the bankers’ lawsuit, the Court has established credit unions’ mission and structure as part of the fabric of America. In recognizing the NCUA’s right to oversee our system, the Court has also established a much-needed firewall from spurious attacks by the bankers. CUNA looks forward to working with the NCUA and credit unions to find new opportunities to expand people-over-profit financial services to communities across the country, and thanks to the Court for today’s decision.”

“The Supreme Court’s decision to decline to hear the banker’s case is an indication that the case is and has always been a baseless one,” said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. “For years, bank lobbyists have been unrelenting in their hollow efforts to maximize their own profits by working to undermine credit union growth and the financial well-being of America’s communities and small businesses. NAFCU stands firmly in support of the NCUA’s field of membership rule. It is well within the agency’s legal authority and works in favor of consumers, especially those that are underserved.”

“This is fantastic, and we applaud the Supreme Court for correctly rejecting the bankers’ appeal,” said Robert N. Trunzo, CUNA Mutual Group president & CEO. “This is a great win for credit unions and consumers during what could possibly be the most challenging period our nation and world have faced. As we continue to navigate through this extraordinarily difficult time, the Court’s decision will ensure people have continued access to vital credit union services as they seek to build a brighter financial future.”

In March 2018, Judge Dabney Friedrich of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia struck down parts of a rule the NCUA issued in 2016. Those sections automatically qualified a Combined Statistical Area or a contiguous portion of it with fewer than 2.5 million people to be a local community and increased the population limit to one million people for rural districts.

However, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturned large parts of that decision, ruling that major sections of the FOM rule complied with federal law.

The ABA then asked the high court to review that decision, contending that the rules give credit unions an unfair advantage.
CU Times 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Both Sides of The Desk!

With over 50 years of experience in the credit union sector, I have had the privilege of observing and participating in its evolution from various vantage points. My journey has taken me from serving as a dedicated volunteer holding critical leadership roles, including serving on the supervisory committee, as director, and as board chairman, culminating in my tenure as CEO for 12 years and now founder and President/CEO of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions . This extensive background has enabled me to " Sit On Both Sides Of The Desk ," blending operational expertise with strategic oversight. In this blog post, I want to share how this dual perspective has enriched my understanding of credit union dynamics and fostered more effective governance. By leveraging the insights gained from years spent navigating both the intricacies of daily operations and the broader strategic objectives, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of collaboration, communi...

Unlocking the Power of Emeritus Board Positions in Credit Unions

  Explore how the Emeritus Board Position in credit unions honors long-serving members, offering them a chance to mentor new leaders while maintaining strategic influence without the responsibilities of active board roles.

How To Make Decisions With Conviction—Even Under Pressure

Why strong leaders act when others hesitate — and how to develop that confidence without needing every answer. I’ve watched smart, experienced leaders freeze. And I’ve been in that same position myself. It’s not because we lack information, but because we don’t feel ready to choose. Leaders often get stuck because they’re waiting for the perfect moment to act. They’re thinking through the consequences, weighing the trade-offs, trying to get it right. But the longer they wait, the harder it becomes to move at all. The truth is that the worst decision isn’t always the wrong one. It’s the one you never make. If you’re in a leadership role, you don’t always get the luxury of knowing. You have to move anyway. Not recklessly, not blindly, but with clarity, purpose and conviction. In high-pressure moments, the gap between average leaders and great ones gets exposed. It’s not a gap in intelligence or experience. It’s a gap in decisiveness. Because conviction doesn’t mean certainty—it means mak...

Fed Kicks Off Two-Days of Meetings Today as Critics, Proponents Respond to Rate Increases; Plus, What CUs Should Expect

CUToday WASHINGTON–The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee (FOMC) will kick off two days of meetings today and the decision they announce tomorrow will affect everything from the major U.S. markets to credit unions that are seeing strong loan growth to individual credit union members struggling with monthly bills. The FOMC is widely expected to again raise its benchmark rate as it seeks to cool raging inflation. Among those expecting rates to be higher by Wednesday afternoon is CUNA’s chief economist, Mike Schenk, who expects the Fed will push up rates by 75 basis points. That follows the full one percentage point increase made during the Fed’s July meeting. “That’s pretty substantial, but inflation is over 9%,” said Schenk...

Live - Podcast Understanding The Importance P&L Statements

A Weekly Dose of Innovation for Credit Unions Serving First Responders Welcome to the NCOFCU Podcast: Your Weekly Dose of Innovation. Hosted by Grant Sheehan CCUE | CCUP | CEO, NCOFCU, this podcast is your definitive source for the latest news, insights, and trends in the first responder credit union world.