The NCUA Board will experience significant turnover in 2013 when President Obama is expected to appoint candidates to fill two out of three spots left vacant by Gigi Hyland, who resigned in October 2012, and Michael Fryzel, whose term ends Aug. 2, 2013.

Because the NCUA board must not have more than two members from the same political party, Obama will have to appoint both a Democrat and a Republican, as Chairman Debbie Matz is a Democrat. Most industry experts say Obama will likely wait until Fryzel's appointment ends before appointing Hyland's replacement, so he can present the Senate with both Democrat and Republican nominees, which should make the confirmation process smoother.

Because Hyland's term ended Aug. 2, 2011, her replacement will not serve a full six years, but rather, just four once the seat is filled in 2013. Most industry veterans say that means Obama is likely to nominate a Republican to fill Hyland's seat, and save the Democrat nomination for Fryzel's replacement, because he or she would serve a full six-year term that would overlap three years into the next president's administration.