Credit unions were founded on a simple principle: “not for profit, not for charity, but for service.” That principle stands true today, as over 85 million credit union members rely and expect unparallel service from their not-for-profit financial cooperatives. I believe that credit unions' dedication to excellent member service sets them apart from all financial institutions. During my tenure at NCUA, I am dedicated to work hard to enhance not only the agency's service to credit union members, but also to improve relations with stakeholders, Congress, and other financial regulatory agencies. Customer service will be paramount in achieving these objectives and I would like to identify two key areas of customer service that I will focus upon as I serve as Vice Chairman: effective communication and dedication to success. Excellence in customer service requires being accessible to those we serve. Clear and open communication is vital in achieving this goal, and as NCUA Vice Chairman, I encourage all credit unions to tell their story, not only about your needs and challenges, but also of your successes. I also want you to evaluate NCUA on how we are performing as a safety and soundness regulator and I welcome your feedback, and encourage the exchange of ideas and fostering best practices. Communication requires more than just listening, it requires action, so it is my commitment to be adaptable enough to make improvements based upon what I hear from you. Excellence in customer service requires dedication to success: President Bush says very clearly, `the measurement of true compassion is more than good intentions – it is good results.' Credit unions are indeed producing solid results for their members and I am dedicated to helping you by constantly working with you to identify innovative and forward-thinking ways for you to help your member achieve their financial dreams in ways only credit unions can. In order to achieve this, we must embrace evaluation and adaptability. You constantly review yourselves, your institutions and your process, with a willingness to make changes and strides for improvement. I am also dedicated to doing the same at NCUA for you. At NCUA, we strive to be results oriented instead of process driven. We should always look for ways to say “yes” to innovative and flexible regulatory approaches designed to make federally insured credit unions more competitive – while maintaining a track record of safe and sound service. As we continue to empower each other with the exchange of ideas and best practices, I encourage credit unions to also empower their members by sharing their knowledge and equipping them with the tools of financial education necessary to promote a culture of financial confidence among them. Many decades have passed since an innovative and compassionate group of American financial pioneers boldly set their course based upon the principle “not for profit, not for charity, but for service,”, and as time goes on, I am constantly encouraged by the course credit unions are continuing to chart. However, we know there is much more that can be done to serve Americans from all walks of life on the road to financial independence; such as education, homeownership and access to capital and credit for small businesses. At NCUA, I am committed to joining you on this journey. With both of us striving toward excellence, we will raise the bar at the regulator and among the regulated. I look forward to doing my part to ensure the long-term viability of credit unions as safe and sound not-for-profit tax-exempt financial cooperatives, and I hope you are as excited as I am about the future.