Launching a new broadside attack, NAFCU President/CEO B. Dan Berger accused the banking industry of bullying credit unions at a time when banks are politically vulnerable.
Speaking at the opening session of NAFCU’s Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C., Berger questioned the motives of the Independent Community Banks of America in filing a lawsuit challenging the NCUA’s MBL rules.
“This is the community banks trying to keep us in a box,” he said.
He added, “This is a political strategy. It is not a legal strategy.”
Berger said the recent Wells Fargo scandal leaves banks politically vulnerable. He urged attendees to stress the credibility that credit unions have when they visit members of Congress this week. “You have trust,” he said. “You can’t buy that trust.”
Berger said the Wells Fargo problem will make it impossible to enact any changes to the CFPB this Congress. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to make the agency subject to the appropriations process and to expand the agency to be supervised by a five-member board.
He said CFPB supporters will point to the Wells Fargo scandal as evidence that the agency deserves support. He added, however, that the problem was discovered in 2011, The Los Angeles Time ran an investigative story in 2013 and the federal government waited until 2016 to take action.
Berger said he was looking forward to congressional hearings on Wells Fargo, adding, “It’s going to be a dumpster fire.”
Berger said the elevation of Rick Metsger as chairman of the NCUA has improved relations between credit unions and the agency. “They’ve been very open to making changes,” he said, but added, “Everything takes time.”
Turning to the presidential election, Berger said that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has specifically mentioned credit unions and community banks in outlining her economic plan. Republican nominee Donald Trump hasn’t singled out credit unions yet. “We’d like to hear that,” he said.
