ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Although located across the river from Washington, D.C., NCUA is feeling the heat of Congress' new focus on consumer protectionism.

"If you've been watching on Capitol Hill, this is the direction they've been getting from congressional oversight," NAFCU Director of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler said. He pointed to a May letter from Committee Chairmen Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.) that urged the Federal Reserve Board, Office of Thrift Supervision, Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and FDIC to take a harder look at the disjointed regulatory scheme that confuses consumers on where to turn for help including state versus federal; the serious subprime mortgage problems and foreclosures; and credit card marketing, billing and other

practice "innovations."