Opinion

Despite clear evidence to the contrary, the mortgage insurer continues to insist that credit unions have the same risk profile as nonbank lenders. It’s now threatening to exclude nearly a quarter of credit unions from being qualified issuers of the securities it backs.

Bankers say the federal tax exemption for credit unions costs U.S. taxpayers $2 billion each year. But eliminating it would prevent the not-for-profit financial institutions from channeling their savings into higher rates and lower fees that stimulate commerce — and generate additional tax income.

Properly implemented, RPA is capable of improving productivity and reducing costs, but institutions must have a clear understanding about what it takes to improve their odds of success.

Heritage Southeast Bank in Georgia will become the latest community bank to stop paying federal taxes when it merges into VyStar Credit Union later this year. It's time for Congress to investigate this consolidation trend and its impact on taxpayers.

Too many Americans lack a sound grounding in personal financial management, which limits their opportunity to build long-term financial independence.

A comprehensive strategy around when and how consumers pay bills online can better help credit unions understand members' behavior patterns and deepen those relationships.

Credit unions were already transforming their home loan operations before COVID-19, but many of the adjustments made as a result of the outbreak are likely to become permanent.

Changes to CDFI Fund regulations could make it significantly easier to raise the capital required to get a new institution off the ground.

As the refi boom continues, many lenders will need to find the right balance of staffing and technology to meet members’ needs.

There are signs that participation in cardholder loyalty offerings is slipping. Credit unions must reengage members if they hope to retain those accounts.

The industry has a key role to play as policymakers push to expand access to affordable financial services for all Americans.

As self-service banking offerings continue to gain ground, financial firms must evolve their brick-and-mortar facilities in order to better serve consumers.

The regulator must rediscover bipartisanship and collaboration while ensuring new regulations don't overstep the Federal Credit Union Act.

The pandemic and social unrest made 2020 one of the most challenging years in recent memory, but there is much the industry can learn from the past 12 months.

The rule change will allow credit unions to raise more capital to help their members, not line the pockets of investors, as bank lobbyists claim.

The regulator is expected to finalize a rule this week allowing credit unions to issue subordinated debt to outside institutional investors. That's bad public policy, the American Bankers Association writes.

Thanksgiving may have already passed, but there's still plenty of room for gratitude in member communications.

Institutions that cling to outdated lending tools run the risk of being left behind by commercial clients who are barraged with opportunities to borrow faster and more conveniently.

At a time when the industry is focused on serving members and assisting with the economic recovery, executives shouldn't be burdened by a costly new credit loss methodology.

To shore up the share insurance fund, the National Credit Union Administration would be wise to give the industry additional temporary investment options.