Senate Confirms Hood, Harper for Seats on NCUA Board
Credit union trade group officials say they are pleased the two nominees have been confirmed.
The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nominations of Rodney Hood and Todd Harper for seats on the NCUA board, marking the first time the board has a full membership since former Chairwoman Debbie Matz resigned in April 2016.
Hood replaces board member Rick Metsger just hours after Metsger attended Thursday’s NCUA board meeting.
Harper replaces Matz.
The Senate confirmed the nominees together by voice vote.
Only two of the three NCUA board members may belong to the president’s political party. Hood is a Republican, while Harper is a Democrat. Board Chairman J. Mark McWatters is a Republican.
Hood has served as a corporate responsibility manager for JPMorgan Chase, where he managed national partnerships with groups that work on community development, civil rights and with the disabled community. He previously served on the NCUA board.
President Trump had nominated Hood last year, but the nomination expired at the end of the 115th Congress. He did not nominate a Democratic member of the board last year.
At the time, lobbyists said that considering two nominations together would ease the confirmation process.
Harper is the former NCUA director of public and congressional affairs and served as Matz’s chief policy advisor.
Credit union trade group officials said they were pleased that the two nominees had been confirmed.
“Both possess a strong understanding of the industry, and with Chairman Mark McWatters, we are confident the board will continue to be a strong, independent regulator for credit unions,” NAFCU President/CEO B. Dan Berger said.
“Both have impressive experience when it comes to working with not-for-profit financial cooperatives, and we’re hopeful the new board will continue NCUA’s modernization efforts to ensure it remains an efficient, effective regulator,” CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle said.