Hanging in the balance?
Ms. Caroline Warren, NC Credit Union Division
June 12, 2025
re: 2025 SECU Board Election Policies and Procedures
Dear Ms. Warren,
In your letter of June 12, 2025 [link] you invited the submission of additional information for consideration, which I would like to do.
1)
As you are aware, this discussion is being followed closely by a
national audience of credit unions, bankers, cooperatives, and
legislative leaders on several online/social media sites. For
informational purposes, would you briefly outline the typical steps and
timeline in the NCCUD "complaint" process? It would be very helpful.
2) We understand and agree
that the NCCUD should avoid becoming involved in internal credit union
operational or political disagreements. You are rightfully prudent to
limit your mandate to (using your words): "... any violations of laws or regulations under our authority".
Our "complaint", which is neither operational nor political, is with the unilateral abrogation of basic member governance rights by the SECU Board. North Carolina state statutes [§ 54-109.12.] provide NCCUD with broad regulatory authority: Credit unions "... shall be subject to the management, control and
supervision of the Administrator of Credit Unions as to their conduct,
organization, management, business practices and their financial and
fiscal matters."
Your peers at the federal level - NCUA, while recognizing the need for
regulatory restraint on internal credit union matters, do make a succinct exception: NCUA "... emphasizes that it retains discretion to enforce the FCU Bylaws in appropriate cases, such as safety and soundness concerns or threats to fundamental, material credit union member rights."
3) We would again encourage you to ask two questions of the SECU Board: 1) Were changes made
in the 2025 SECU Election Policies and Procedures? and, if so, 2) Was the SECU Board required 180 day notice provided to
members?
4) Ms. Warren, would note that I have just received a letter from Ms. Plaut, Chief Legal Officer of SECU. Since you do not appear to have received a copy, I will forward it to you after review.
Hope
you will share the typical complaint process/timeline as requested, so
that interested SECU members and other folks can be better informed.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Jim Blaine
SECU Member
