Capital Briefs: Credit Unions Pushing To Raise Loan Ceiling

Banks are knocking a government proposal to let credit unions make larger business loans.

The National Credit Union Administration on Wednesday proposed doubling to $100,000 the maximum amount that credit unions may lend to businesses without complying with onerous rules. Mortgages for vacation homes also would be exempt from NCUA's business lending regulations if rental income is not relied on for repayment.

Donald G. Ogilvie, executive vice president of the American Bankers Association, accused the NCUA of letting credit unions expand beyond their mission of serving "people of small means."

"The proposal makes Swiss cheese out of the definition of 'business loan,' allowing many such loans to pass as consumer transactions and thus escape stricter regulatory scrutiny," he said.

"Most of these loans are too small for banks," countered Tim Pryor, director of regulation and compliance at the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. Some credit unions, however, want NCUA to push the limit above $100,000, said Mary M. Dunn, acting director of regulatory affairs at the Credit Union National Association.

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