When developing a rule that will be issued for comment, the NCUA goes through a rigorous process prior to finalizing the proposal. Rules are proposed for a variety of reasons: for safety and soundness, for more effective and efficient regulatory oversight, or to provide new or improved tools necessary for credit unions to thrive into the future.

Staff spends countless hours reading, changing, editing and rereading the proposal. Board briefings are held, questions may be raised and additional changes may be made. Further briefings may take place as the issues and concerns of each board member are attempted to be addressed and satisfied.

This long and arduous process usually results in agreement so that at an open NCUA Board meeting, the proposal is presented, the board asks a few questions and the vote will be unanimous to move the proposed rule forward.