Keith Leggett, American Bankers Associations' senior economist, took a cheap shot at the community development credit unions, including Decker's, that received TARP money through the Treasury Department's Community Development Capital Initiative. When there are dozens of pages of banks that took much more TARP money and under much different circumstances for return, he really shouldn't have picked this rock to throw at credit unions. It lands with a dull thud.

DGE FCU received $1.5 million in TARP money, included in its $4.8 million in capital, which really stuck in the craw of another CEO at a large credit union. Politically, nominating Decker highlights the fact that, no, credit unions did not fix their own problems. The CDCI was there to boost economic development and DGE FCU took advantage, as did dozens of other credit unions, and it shouldn't be faulted for using the funds. However, the credit union is now raised to a much higher profile and standard and that needs to be taken into consideration with this nomination.

Additionally, the CEO at the larger credit union was incredulous to think that the CEO of a $45 million credit union could possibly comprehend what goes on in larger institutions. DGE FCU has no mortgages on the books, a key problem area for the NCUA, credit unions and financial institutions overall. DGE FCU's financials indicate that the credit union is not involved in business lending.

As credit unions lobby for expanded authorities and promises of tougher regulation from the NCUA if that happens, then this isn't a solid match up. DGE FCU has little involvement in CUSOs, which is a key regulatory proposal for credit unions now and for the long term. The candidate doesn't fit the profile for what the industry needs in these areas but a solid senior policy adviser could do the trick.

According to Michael Poulos, CEO at Michigan First CU, the size and financial shape of the credit union aren't that important to him. In his view, you can't go wrong with someone with hands-on credit union experience. Anyone who has run a credit union, particularly a smaller one, will understand and recognize over regulation is his theory. He much prefers credit union experience over regulatory experience from the head regulator and insurance fund overseer.

Decker's nomination is expected to be paired with FDIC vice chair nominee Thomas Hoenig who is world renown at what he does, most recently serving as CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

I am not at all knocking what Decker, who I've only met a couple times in passing at industry events, has chosen as her life's work. I applaud people who dedicate their careers and lives to the credit union community. Former NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar was from a small credit union. But the Decker and Hoenig's resumes side by side will put credit unions and banks in stark contrast. Will that impact how credit unions are perceived in Washington?