David Chatfield, a Democrat who was nominated for the NCUA board by former President Ronald Reagan, told CU Times the full board should have voted on Rick Metsger's vice chairmanship appointment.
NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz appointed Metsger vice chairman on Monday.
"I've not met Mr. Metsger, but from what I've read, he seems well-qualified to serve on the NCUA Board; a fine appointment by President Obama. He would also seem a good choice to be vice chair of the NCUA Board, but I think it would have been better for the designation to be by board action rather than appointment by the chair," Chatfield said.
"While either way may be valid, having it sanctioned by board action seems more fitting and appropriate, while appointment by the chair may have the appearance of a personal favor or obligation," he added.
According to section 790.2 of the code of federal regulations, "the chairman shall be the spokesman for the board and shall represent the board and the NCUA in its official relations with other branches of the government. A second member is designated by the board to be vice-chairman."
NCUA Public Affairs Specialist John Fairbanks said the Federal Credit Union Act allows Matz to define each board member's area of responsibility, regardless of the regulatory language.
Fairbanks referenced 12 U.S.C. §1752a(e), which states that the "chairman shall determine each board member's area of responsibility and shall review such assignments biennially. It shall be the chairman's responsibility to direct the implementation of the adopted policies and regulations of the board."
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