WASHINGTON – In the fashion of Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe, the 101st Airborne Division surrounded by the Germans at Bastogne, American Bankers Association Senior Economist Keith Leggett had just one word in response to CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica's letter last month: "Nuts!" Mica previously wrote the CEOs of the nation's largest banks, urging them to use their influence to stop the trade association from using dues money to fund the battle to tax credit unions. Especially when this is a fight banks just cannot win, and Mica goes on to point out an American Banker article in support of this position, as well as a quote from former Independent Community Bankers Association CEO Ken Guenther in Bank Director magazine. In the Aug. 17 issue of ABA Bankers News Online Credit Union Monitor, Leggett characterized Mica's letter as a "desperate act." His column stated, "The simple fact that Mica's letter was sent shows that our efforts are getting results. The new breed of credit unions is for the first time coming under the intense glare of the klieg lights." Leggett says Mica's letter claims the ABA "has been emboldened by the comments of influential policymakers," which is why the group is making a push now. "Nothing is further from the truth. "The banking industry is very appreciative of the public stands key policymakers are taking on this issue. However, ABA's Operation Credit Unions was already moving forward well in advance of their public pronouncements." Mica goes on to say that this fight could be damaging to both parties in Congress and that the ABA is pushing "unworthy and bad public policy." Leggett, strikes back, "How can defending and preserving the franchise value of banks from the encroachment of tax-advantaged competitors be bad public policy? The olive branch that Mica offers the banking industry is an offer of unconditional surrender." Mica, on the other hand, said in CUNA's News Now that his letter was not seeking an "unconditional surrender" and that he was "encouraged" by some of the responses he has been getting from individual bankers. Leggett's column raged on, "If Mica's intent is to divide the industry, it won't." "Our bankers know that this effort to get regulatory and tax equality for the new breed of credit unions will be very hard. However, they have told us that it is critical to their long-term ability to compete – no matter how hard the effort," wrote Leggett. CUNA Vice President of Communications and Media Outreach Pat Keefe would not comment further, except to say CUNA has no regrets for sending the letter. "It doesn't seem to be a downer for us in anyway," he said. [email protected]