WASHINGTON – The ongoing fight between credit union and banks was featured during the August 10 Marketplace radio program, which is carried on many public radio stations. The 3:40 minute program focused on the banks' Operation Credit Unions program and featured both on why members join credit unions as well as banker's complaints and included statements from both sides of the issue. "It's very hard to compete with somebody that's offering every service you are and doesn't pay any taxes," said Edward Yingling, an executive vice president with the ABA. John McKechnie, CUNA's senior vice president on government affairs countered by referencing the two institutions being formed for different purposes: banks to make money profits and credit unions to serve their members. The program sought out CUNA for its recent program on the fight between banks and credit unions. "Our understanding is that the program's editors had been noticing the fight in the trades and in the financial services industry and wanted to be the first one to break the story for a national, general news audience," explained CUNA spokesman Pat Keefe. "We thought, ok, we can live with that." "Overall, as it was a feature story, I thought it was balanced," Keefe said. "I know some people complained that the bankers got to talk more, but hey, you can't control that." -

[email protected]