CUNA Chief Economist Mike Schenk recognized NCUA’s continuing improvements in its budget process Wednesday while presenting at NCUA’s budget briefing. The NCUA’s proposed 2019 operating budget is $304.4 million.

Credit Union Legislative Action Council, the federal PAC of CUNA, is launching its first round of independent expenditures for the 2018 midterm election cycle. The IEs are being launched in various stages throughout the week.

The NCUA board deserves thanks for its work on risk-based capital, but more work is needed, CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan wrote Tuesday. The board will vote on the final RBC rule Thursday.

CUNA Chief Economist Mike Schenk will present at the NCUA’s budget briefing Wednesday at NCUA’s Alexandria headquarters. The briefing is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. (ET) and will be streamed live on NCUA.gov.

The World Council of Credit Unions supports most aspects of the Global Financial Innovation Network, but urges member agencies to work to ensure a level playing field. CUNA strongly supports the World Council’s recommendations as well.

CUNA supports the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s participation in the Global Financial Innovation Network, but strongly encourages the bureau encourage the network to ensure a level playing field in comments submitted Sunday.

NCUA’s latest Letter to Federal Credit Unions features guidance on how credit unions can prepare a successful narrative application when using this option to apply for serving a well-defined local community.

CUNA hosted a webinar Wednesday with Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection staff on changes to HMDA reporting requirements. A recording of the webinar is available for free to CUNA members, and will be available shortly.

CUNA generally supports the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s policy to encourage Trial Disclosure Programs but recommends any bureau-approved programs be narrow in scope and not excessively deviate from traditional disclosure standards.

CUNA Senior Economist Samira Salem appeared on CU Broadcast this week to discuss CUNA’s new data on how tariffs will affect the auto industry and by extension credit unions that make auto loans.