WASHINGTON — Saying that the economy has validated the need for capital reform, CUNA and NAFCU have agreed to work together to urge lawmakers and regulators to change the rules.

In a joint statement, the trade groups reiterated their past support for risk-based capital standards that include "reasonable leverage ratios," identical to the rule of the banking system.

They want credit unions to have access to supplemental capital and while they have different ideas about the details but said the capital structure of credit unions should include: "Preserving the not-for-profit, mutual, member-owned and cooperative structure of credit unions and ensure that ownership interest remains with the members; Provide a degree of permanence; and, Ensure that any proposed solution applies for prompt corrective action purposes (to include risk-based capital as appropriate) or changes the definition of net worth to include other capital balances."