CUNA statement on Director Cordray’s remarks at CFA Financial Services Conference
WASHINGTON, DC (December 3, 2015) — Following remarks delivered by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray at the Consumer Federation of America Financial Services Conference, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) chief advocacy officer Ryan Donovan issued the following statement:
“Director Cordray told consumer advocates today that concerns raised by credit unions and others regarding the impact the Bureau’s regulations have had on the availability of financial products and services have proven false. We firmly dispute this conclusion.
“When a regulation makes it more difficult or more expensive for a credit union to serve its member-owner, the regulation has failed credit union members. When credit unions stop offering products because of regulation, leaving consumers’ only option large banks and less regulated non-bank providers, the regulation has failed consumers.
“The remittance regulation is a good example of a rule that may have been well intended, but has limiting consumer choice and the availability of safe and cost-effective service. Almost half of the credit unions that offered remittance services prior to the regulation have either stopped offering them or purposefully limit the number they do because of the rule, forcing consumers to go to providers they need the most protection from. How can that possibly help consumers?
“The Bureau was created to make sure that financial products and services work better for the people who use them, but they’re failing to fulfill their mission by overregulating credit unions. Increased regulatory burden has undoubtedly increased the costs of providing services. And, whenever the costs of providing services go up, less of it is provided.
“The Bureau has very wide latitude to exempt any class of covered entity from its regulation. There is no doubt it is well within their authority to exempt not-for-profit, member-owned credit unions from their regulations. But, the Director and his staff have been very reluctant to use this authority, and their reluctance is costing consumers fuller access to safe and affordable financial services provided by financial institutions they own.”
About CUNA
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 135 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com.
