Matz alerts credit unions: Some relief is coming down the pike

The National Credit Union Administration is planning to unveil three regulatory relief proposals in upcoming open board meetings. They will include plans to eliminate the 5% cap on a credit union’s fixed assets, to modernize the member business lending (MBL) rule, and to update appraisal provisions, NCUA Chair Debbie Matz said Wednesday.

In fact, Matz said one day before the agency is expected to release its July meeting agenda, the fixed-asset plan will be on the July 31 agenda.  The proposal is intended to streamline the rules that implement the Federal Credit Union Act provisions governing the process for federal credit unions to occupy land or buildings.

“Our intent is to allow federal credit unions to manage their own fixed-asset purchases without having to seek permission or waivers from NCUA,” Matz said. “When federal credit unions want to update facilities, upgrade technology or make other purchases that have no impact on safety and soundness, NCUA should not micro-manage individual business decisions.”

Also on the radar for this year: a look by the NCUA board to determine how it might give greater flexibility to credit unions offering MBLs.

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