SECU: Risk-Based Lending - Why Some Of Us Take It Very Personally...

    James McArthur Williams

Why do we so often become confused when taking the measure of greatness? Why are we so easily distracted - and dazzled - by the spectacle, the swank, and the swagger? Why do we so often miss who is truly important - and what really makes a difference in each of our lives?

Had the privilege of attending the funeral of a great man last week at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in downtown Raleigh [link ]. James Williams was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, and friend. He married his high school sweetheart Ginger; he called her "Bread". They had two children - JaSonne Yvette and James Eric. James Williams was a veteran, 33rd degree Mason, Emeritus Board Steward in his church, graduate - and beyond ardent supporter - of his HBCU, "THE" North Carolina Central University ("Go War Eagles!"). James was a devoted family man at heart, loved traveling, and as an empty-nester, cruising with Ginger. A full life - important, meaningful.

James Williams came to work at the State Employees' Credit Union in 1973. That was 50 years ago. That seems like a long, long time ago. Much has changed in that time, much hasn't. James McArthur Williams was the first Black employee to work at SECU. He faced some unusual challenges, not of his making. But he persevered, he persisted. James Williams was a senior lender at SECU for over a quarter of a century. No individual was more important in building the reputation for integrity and fairness at State Employees' Credit Union than James McArthur Williams. With humor, grace, and kindness, James Williams navigated all the "historical difficulties"; he left a positive mark on all he touched; because he knew how you felt - he had walked in your shoes.

Thank you, James Williams, for helping me and many, many others "to better understand". 

Can an organization have a soul? As a deeply faithful "soul man", James McArthur Williams spent a lifetime showing us there is a path... 

Can you measure greatness in people and in institutions? Here is what SECU members say:

✨ "James will long be remembered as a person who showed many of us how to overcome obstacles in the world of finance. He demystified bank forms and protocols. And most importantly, he always encouraged patrons of SECU as we realized with God all things are possible!"

✨ "James was our greatest ally at the State Employees’ Credit Union."

✨ "James and Ginger are two of the warmest people you'd ever want to meet. Many state employees knew James through the State Employees Credit Union in downtown Raleigh.
Thank you, Sir!"

... it is difficult to watch an organization be diminished - by folks who don't value the common humanity within each member...

The North Carolina Credit Union Division: North Carolina State Government At Its Best?

 

 

✅ From: Ray, Kristina W

December 15, 2023 - 5:30 pm

Mr. and Mrs. Blaine,

Please refer to the response dated October 19, 2023. 

Sincerely,

Kristina Ray

Administrator of Credit Unions

 205 West Millbrook Road, Suite 105

 Raleigh, NC 27609

 

✅ Here was the letter sent to Ms. Ray on December 5, 2023: 

Dear Ms. Ray,

Happy Holidays! Took your advice and asked legal counsel for a review of our correspondence, over the last 6 months. As with most extended families, it's not too difficult to find a lawyer somewhere up the family tree willing to share an opinion - when, of course, paid an appropriate retainer. In this case, the hourly rate was two martinis, comfortable chair, roaring fireplace on a cold and rainy afternoon. 

Legal counsel said it was entirely appropriate for a consumer to ask a State regulator about her authority under N.C. State law. He pointed out the "Consumer Questions" section on the NCCUD website [here's the link] as a clear indicator of your responsibility and past willingness to respond to N.C. consumers; let alone the whole website heading: "Consumers" [here's the link], which includes "Consumer Information, Consumer Resources, Consumer Questions, File a Complaint". He also noted that on the website you were officially designated by NCCUD as the "go to person" [see link, at bottom] on any review of credit union rules and regulations. Lastly, he said it was unclear why you would refuse further clarification of the prior request, since responding to a consumer was clearly not an issue - as Administrator you have already crossed that bridge with our prior correspondence. 

 

The following alternatives were proposed:

1. Politely re-request that the prior response to the two questions be clarified and state that a legal opinion is not being requested.
   
2. Appeal the latest response to the Credit Union Commission.
3. Ask a state-chartered credit union, as a courtesy, to file the 2 questions with the Administrator.
4. Ask your N.C. State Representative (or any Representative) to file a request for answers to the 2 questions with the Administrator. Responses are generally mandatory.
   
5. Ask your State Senator (or any Senator) to file a request for answers to the 2 questions with the Administrator. Responses are generally mandatory.
6. Ask members from all across the State to also request that their Representative/Senator write the Administrator requesting an answer to the 2 questions. The more the merrier.
   
7. Request through the Legislature that the Administrator be required to appear before any future hearing on H. 410  to answer these 2 questions and any others surrounding the role of NCCUD in the approval and monitoring of bylaw amendments.
8. Encourage consumers/credit union members to attend the next Credit Union Commission Meeting (Spring 2024 Meeting coming up) to publicly comment on these 2 questions and other issues concerning the supervision of credit unions by the Administrator. Again, the more the merrier.
   
9. File a formal complaint.
10. All of the above.

 Thought all that was a fairly good two-martini investment. And, we can do any or all the above if you feel that is the way this must proceed.

Our strong preference however is #1. So our formal request is: Would you please clarify your prior (October 19, 2023) response to the 2 questions below. We are not requesting a legal opinion and understand you can not provide legal advice.

✔  Q: 1)  Is the N.C. Credit Union Division required by North Carolina law to monitor and enforce compliance by state-chartered credit unions with their bylaws?

✔ Q: 2)  May a N.C. state-chartered credit union adopt rules, policies and procedures which effectively amend its bylaws without approval by the NCCUD? 

 

Thank you. We look forward to your prompt response .

 

Jean and Jim Blaine

December 5, 2023 

 

 

  Oh me, oh my... "Sincerely" amazing!