Capital Briefs: Banking Panel Sets Credit Union Hearings

The Senate Banking Committee has scheduled hearings for March 26 and April 2 on the Supreme Court's controversial credit union decision.

Chairman Alfonse M. D'Amato on Thursday said the hearings will explore the impact of the recent ruling requiring credit union members to share a single, common bond.

The committee has to "determine the appropriate steps Congress can take to continue providing millions of Americans access to credit unions," he said in a statement.

But "before the committee can respond with legislation, a better understanding of the Supreme Court's decision and the final outcome of the lower courts is needed."

The lower court hearing to set a timetable for future action in the case was recently moved to March 20 from May 29.

Sen. D'Amato this week postponed plans to introduce a bill that would have permitted occupation-based credit unions to serve multiple employee groups because he did not gather enough support from other senators, sources on Capitol Hill said.

Witnesses at the hearings have not been announced.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER