ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA Vice Chairman Rodney Hood headed west for a myriad of visits with state regulators and credit unions.

While traveling to Chicago to speak at NASCUS' Board meeting, NCUA Vice Chairman Rodney Hood visited with executives from Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union and Hawthorne Credit Union. He said that he was impressed by Mid-States' portfolio of services and said its planned merger with Empire Corporate "will greatly enhance the opportunity to strengthen the credit union system throughout the nation." He also commented, "Hawthorne Credit Union truly encourages and empowers the entrepreneurial spirit and is creating genuine economic growth here in the Chicago area," Hood said.

In speaking to NASCUS, Hood reaffirmed the agency's commitment to the dual chartering system. "I recently made several visits to state regulators in Kentucky, Kansas, and Colorado, and I am more convinced than ever of the importance of the state and federal government working together to accomplish the mission of a safe and sound credit union system," he said.