Matz Highlights New Ideas for the Future

NCUA Board Member Encourages Credit Union Directors to Reach Out

Dec. 11, 2003, Las Vegas – “Whether you are new to your credit union’s board, or whether you have volunteered for many years, your credit union is counting on you to bring in new ideas,” National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board Member Debbie Matz told nearly 800 volunteers at the Credit Union Executives Society’s (CUES) Directors Conference.

“ As directors, you can do much more than set policies,” Matz encouraged. “You create your credit union’s long-term vision. You decide what your credit union will look like in 5-to-10 years. Your ideas will determine where your credit union will be financially, what membership groups will be served, and what services will be provided.”

Matz shared many ideas on how to reach new membership groups – including underserved communities, first-time homebuyers, and small business owners. She also shared ideas on how to provide new services – such as risk-based loans, non-conforming mortgages, and member business loans.

“ These ideas can help your credit union diversify and reduce risks,” Matz pointed out. “These ideas could even help prevent all credit unions from taxation. If you offer services that reach everyone in your field of membership – including people of all income levels – you will give your lawmakers more reasons to preserve your tax exemption.”

Reaching new members with new services is not only a good idea, Matz concluded. “It’s good business. Whether you’re refinancing high-cost predatory loans, helping renters realize the American dream, or helping members start their own business, many of these members will stay loyal to your credit union for life.”
For Matz’s full speech text, log on to http://www.ncua.gov/news/speeches/speeches_matz.html.

A 24-year public service veteran, Matz is a member of three credit unions and resides in McLean, Va. with her husband and two children. Before her appointment to the NCUA Board, Matz was appointed by President Clinton as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration in the Department of Agriculture.

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, operates and manages the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, insuring the savings of more than 80 million account holders in all federal credit unions and the overwhelming majority of state-chartered credit unions.