The NCUA approved 200 mergers last year, the exact number of consolidations green lighted by the federal agency in 2016. While the number of mergers is not expected to change much in 2018, what may change this year are pending new merger rules proposed by the NCUA board last year, which would require credit unions to make controversial disclosures involving executive compensation and take what many credit union executives have called additional cumbersome steps to complete mergers.

Although the NCUA has reportedly stepped up its merger review process by asking more questions and requiring more documentation, particularly when it comes to executive pay, it's questionable whether the proposed merger rules will ever be adopted because the makeup of the NCUA board is uncertain.

NCUA Spokesperson John Fairbanks said the proposed merger rules are still under review and the agency will not comment on pending rules.