WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Board Governor Susan Schmidt Bies will headline NCUA Vice Chairman Rodney E. Hood's upcoming Risk Mitigation Summit, Hood announced recently. Hood made the announcement during an address at VACORP's Financial Strategies Conference. The summit is slated for Jan. 11, 2007 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The free summit will highlight risk management and analysis trends and includes leaders from several governmental departments and the financial services community. “Dr. Bies is a proven leader and expert in economics and financial services, and throughout her exemplary career has contributed to the strength of the economy both through her service in the private sector and her achievements in the academic arena,” Hood said. “Her selfless commitment to civic and charitable endeavors truly exemplifies the 'people helping people' mission of credit unions. Dr. Bies' insights regarding risk management will certainly benefit all in attendance.”

At his VACORP speech Hood applauded Virginia credit union efforts to further homeownership and encouraged them to increase their participation in member business lending and look for innovative ways to serve the underserved.