NCUA Chairwoman Nominee Debbie Matz told lawmakers today that she wouldn't object if credit unions are excluded from the purview of a proposed new agency to regulate consumer financial products.

At a time of uncertainty for the economy in general and credit unions in particular, Credit Union Times recently sat down with NAFCU President Fred Becker for a wide-ranging discussion.

The economy's continued weakness will persist through 2011, and high unemployment will keep causing consumer confidence to sag, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told the House Financial Services Committee today.

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank today announced he would postpone marking up a measure to create a new consumer protection agency until September.

The NCUA and other financial services regulators are seeking public comment on revised interagency questions and answers on flood insurance.

Changing the student loan program from private industry to a government-run program would limit student choice, NAFCU President/CEO Fred Becker wrote members of a House panel.

Speeches by all three NCUA Board members, discussions on topics ranging from executive compensation to regulatory policy, and a concert by Kenny Rogers are among the highlights of NAFCU's Annual Conference, which starts this Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The NCUA won't be spending more money during the second half of the year overall, but will be spending $200,000 more than planned on public outreach and almost $300,000 more on salaries and benefits, the NCUA Board decided today.