Media Advisory
Office of the Chairman

NCUA TO PARTICIPATE IN WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Panel Discussion Focuses on “Welfare to Work & Homeownership”
March 14, 2003 – Chicago, Illinois

Alexandria, VA, March 12, 2003 – NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar announced today that the National Credit Union Administration will participate in the White House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives on Friday, March 14, in Chicago, Illinois.

NCUA Director of Credit Union Development Anthony LaCreta will serve as a presenter on the “Welfare to Work & Homeownership” panel along with representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Labor, Federal Home Loan Bank, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

“We are pleased to join with the White House and our federal partners in discussing these important issues of homeownership and the role of credit unions in helping folks attain the American Dream of financial self-sufficiency and becoming new homeowners,” said Dollar. “Faith-based credit unions are extending economic empowerment to their members, neighbors, and communities across America with greater access to affordable financial services. This is an excellent opportunity for faith and community-based organizations to learn more about the opportunities available through NCUA and other federal resources.”

The White House, together with federal departments/agencies has scheduled a series of conferences to help faith-based and community organizations learn more about President Bush’s initiative.

These free, day-long conferences will equip participants with information about the programs that are suited to their needs, the federal funding process, and the legal process to apply for federal funds.

The conference is free, but pre-registration is required. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. For additional information, visit www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/conferences/html.

The National Credit Union Administration, governed by a three-member board appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, is the independent federal agency that regulates, charters, and supervises federal credit unions. NCUA, with the backing of the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, also operates and manages the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), insuring the deposits of over 80 million account holders in all federal credit unions and the overwhelming majority of state-chartered credit unions.