Credit Union Legislative Action Council, the federal PAC of CUNA, launched its final independent expenditure for the 2018 midterm election cycle Tuesday. Television ads for Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) will run until Nov. 6 throughout Mississippi.

CUNA member credit unions can access the first webinar on CUNA’s Creating Awareness Initiative for free. CUNA Chief Strategic Communications Officer Douglas Kiker and others used the webinar to discuss the research behind the initiative.

The Federal Reserve will host public town hall meetings in its 12 districts to discuss its Faster Payments Settlement Assessment notice seeking comment on potential actions to facilitate real-time interbank settlement of faster payments.

CUNA announced two new staff appointments Monday, adding Mitria Wilson and Hannah Truslow to advocacy staff. Wilson joins CUNA as Senior Director of Advocacy and Counsel, and Truslow as Director of Political Fundraising Development for CULAC.

The FFIEC launched a redesigned Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering InfoBase website last week, aimed at sharing financial institution examination procedure information with examiners, financial institutions, the public and other stakeholders.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection issued its Fall 2018 rulemaking agenda this week, with several items reflecting CUNA’s advocacy with the bureau. The agenda is a snapshot of the bureau’s regulatory priorities into 2019.

The NCUA board voted to approve a final risk-based capital rule Thursday, that provides regulator relief for credit unions. While CUNA has concerns with NCUA’s overall approach to risk-based capital, it supports the changes.

A court decision that broadens the definition of an automated telephone dialing system is flawed and should be rejected, CUNA wrote to the Federal Communications Commission Wednesday in response to an FCC petition.

CUNA support for credit union-friendly candidates in this year’s mid-term election was covered by two Washington, D.C. publications Wednesday. CUNA announced several independent expenditures backing incumbents in tight races Wednesday.

The NCUA board will vote on finalizing changes to its risk-based capital at its Thursday meeting, according to the agenda released Thursday. CUNA supports the proposal, but is concerned about the agency’s RBC approach.