Former NCUA official profiles rogue credit union

A new blog post spotlights a growth-focused credit union that has rapidly expanded its footprint and obscured its declining net worth by acquiring smaller credit unions and issuing subordinated debt.

New Blog Post: The Just a Member post from Callahan & Associates co-founder and former National Credit Union Administration Central Liquidity Fund President Chip Filson spotlights Credit Union 1, a low-income-designated institution in Lombard, Ill.

About the Credit Union: In the post, Filson notes that the credit union:

• Was privately insured until 2022 and has acquired 11 smaller credit unions since, essentially one per quarter.

• Has closed six branches and laid off nearly 70 employees during its acquisition spree.

• Markets itself via stadium naming rights and relationships with Notre Dame athletics and the Mountain West Conference, stating in its promotions that anyone can join.

• Facilitates acquisitions through large member-funded payouts to top executives.

• Approves acquisitions via proxy votes from directors who can routinely reappoint themselves to the board without any member vote.

• Turns to non-operating gains, such as acquisitions and borrowed capital, to disguise its poor internal rate of return because it cannot generate a normal operating net income from its own balance sheet assets.

Latest ICBA Advocacy: ICBA continues working to raise awareness of the harmful impact of acquisition-focused credit unions and insufficient oversight of the industry. For instance, ICBA has:

• Said a new regulatory action against VyStar Credit Union for harming consumers through its botched rollout of an online banking system exemplifies the risks posed by lagging credit union regulation.

• Called on the NCUA to curb the abuse of its subordinated debt rule.

• Released polling showing U.S. adults increasingly support equal consumer protections for credit union customers.

• Lauded the FDIC’s ICBA-advocated inclusion of credit unions in its merger guidance.

Grassroots Resources: Community bankers can use ICBA’s Be Heard grassroots action center to call on members of Congress to hold a hearing on credit union policy. Additional resources are available on the ICBA website.