While CUNA and NAFCU often try to one up each other, the latest rankings of the top lobbyists by The Hill newspaper, give both trade associations something to brag about.

CUNA President/CEO Bill Cheney as well as NAFCU's Executive Vice President Dan Berger and Vice President Brad Thaler were all named to the newspaper's list of the top 73 lobbyists for trade associations.

The Hill article said “Cheney's first year as president and CEO of the association was jam-packed with work on Dodd-Frank implementation and patent reform.''

It wrote that Berger and Thaler, “now free of the swipe-fee fight, will be ready for action if the [deficit reduction] supercommittee puts the tax exemption for credit unions on the chopping block.”

The top lobbyists of the two largest bank trade associations also made the list.

ABA President/CEO Frank Keating and  Executive Vice President  Floyd Stoner were included as was Independent Community Bankers of America President/CEO  Camden Fine.

National Retail Federation Senior Vice President David French, an architect of the strategy for persuading the Senate not to repeal the Durbin amendment regulating debit interchange fees, also is included.

The newspaper bases its annual list on interviews with lawmakers, congressional staff members and lobbyists.