“We don't have projections,” he said. “If there was a Jeff Carpenter projection, it would be 100% affiliation.”

Carpenter noted that CUNA represents the interest of all credit unions, whether they are dues-paying members or not, but would love to include them as members. Through CUNA's member surveys, participation in the advocacy committee and other activities, the trade could expand its ability to promote the interests of all of the nation's credit unions, he said.

CUNA won't know its net membership figures until later this year when it tallies how many credit unions renewed existing memberships. Carpenter also noted that credit union consolidations are happening every day, so when a CUNA member credit union merges into another or is liquidated, it disaffiliates.

However, he said the effect of industry consolidation on membership isn't a big concern.

“That's not a number we report or spend a lot of energy on, it's about maintaining 85% of the market,” he said. “That's a strong, robust number, and it's about continuing to communicate the value of the CUNA/league system to credit unions that are not members.”

Carpenter also addressed the CUNA's board decision to maintain the dual membership requirement despite a task force's recommendation to abandon it. The Michigan Credit Union League announced its board of directors voted Sept. 16 to allow credit union members to join the league without also requiring that CUNA dues be included in membership invoices.

Some leagues said they would survey their members regarding direct membership options while others have announced they will maintain the current CUNA/league dues structure.

Carpenter said he is pleased that despite the Michigan league's decision, CEO Dave Adams positioned the decision as offering an option for member credit unions and has continued to promote the value of the CUNA/league system.

“That's where we are strong, members that are credit unions connected in an important way,” he said. “For example, the way we advocated on behalf of credit unions for the risk-based capital rule the NCUA will finalize this week – clearly, it's the CUNA/league connection that empowers it. The Governmental Affairs Conference is not something CUNA does alone or the leagues do alone, bring 4,000 people to Washington, D.C. to advocate on behalf of credit unions. Truly it's a strength of that united CUNA/league system that makes that happen.”

The membership executive also said he wasn't worried about NAFCU's decision in July to expand its field of membership to include state-chartered credit unions.

“It's other associations' business how they expand,” he said. “We have strong new members. We don't know how many total members other associations have, but we feel good about the fact that we continue to resonate with credit unions. Eighty-five percent of credit unions continue to see the CUNA/league system as an important and relevant advocate on their behalf.”

Carpenter declined to provide information on how CUNA plans to reduce its 2016 dues, which President/CEO Jim Nussle announced Sept. 23, but said that information would be released soon.