Skip to main content

NCUA Senior Staff Discuss Exams, Priorities

ALEXANDRIA, Va.–Saying his “whole heart is in NCUA, its vital work and its mission,” new NCUA Chairman Todd Harper used an introductory webinar to outline his regulatory philosophy and more, while other senior agency officials also touched on issues ranging from examination priorities to concentration risk to liquidity ratios.

The webinar also included a Q&A with credit unions, which is reported below.

Harper, who was elevated by President Biden to the chairmanship after serving on the NCUA board, said credit unions now sit “at the intersection of several crossroads,” noting on one of those roads are credit unions that are prospering, but on another are many CUs that are struggling with earnings.

Harper said when he first joined the NCUA board he established several priorities for the agency, including capital and liquidity, consumer financial education, and diversity, equity and economic inclusion. “In the many months ahead these priorities will guide our agency’s decisions.”


Harper encouraged everyone to work together to promote innovation with an emphasis on security and equity.

“As I begin my chairmanship, I want to share my regulatory philosophy, which can be summed up with the acronym FIRE: Fair and forward-looking; innovating, inclusive and independent; risk focused and ready to act expeditiously when necessary at credit unions, and engaged appropriately with all stakeholders to develop effective and efficient regulation. This FIRE philosophy has been and will continue to be the North star for me and the NCUA.”

Harper, who praised the state system and dual chartering, noted he came of age during the 1970s and 1980s and that music from the era, along with music from Motown, often “strikes a chord with me and I find inspiration in their lyrics.”

He cited Bruce Hornby’s “That Just the Way It Is” to sum up the “core” of the credit union movement and its commitment to providing cooperative credit, including to those of modest means.

Harper said the agency should also consider future challenges, such as climate change, which he said disproportionately affect underserved communities. 

More insights from NCUA Senior Staff,  Read MORE

Comments

Post a Comment

Please no profanity or political 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...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

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.
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

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...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

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...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

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.
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»