WASHINGTON — When Bill Cheney steps down as the head of CUNA next month, it will be business as usual at the trade association — including addressing CU concerns over the group's structure and leagues, says Bill Hampel, who was named interim president/CEO last week.
Hampel, currently CUNA's SVP of research and policy analysis and chief economist, will take over June 11, temporarily succeeding Cheney, the trade association announced last week.
Cheney will become president and CEO of $10.2 billion-asset SchoolsFirst FCU in Santa Ana, Calif., on June 11, taking over for Rudy Hanley who is retiring.
Noting that he is not an applicant to fill the chief executive's role permanently, Hampel told Credit Union Journal that CUNA's senior team has worked together for a long time. "So what we need to do is keep going on the things we have been working on."
Hampel said in the short term that will mean addressing the proposed risk-based capital rule, which will have a large impact on credit unions. CUNA is also closely monitor housing finance reform in Congress.
"This is something we have been very involved in and will remain involved in, because regardless of whether or not something passes this year, what the Senate is working on is likely to be the outline for whatever reform of GSEs is eventually adopted," Hampel said.
He also pointed out CUNA has to stay "vigilant" on the issue of CU taxation.
"So 'Don't Tax My Credit Union' will stay front and center," said Hampel, noting he does not foresee any major new legislative initiatives in the offing. "But if something comes up, we certainly won't wait to deal with it."
Hampel is a senior member of CUNA's credit union advocacy team in Washington, and one of the longest-tenured executives at the trade group. He joined the association as an economist in 1978, was promoted to vice president in 1985, and then to senior vice president and chief economist in 1992.
Hampel said CUNA's seven-member search committee is moving forward to find Cheney's permanent replacement. Russell Reynolds Associates of Washington is conducting the search.
Positive Reactions
A number of credit union CEOs reacted positively to the news of Hampel's interim selection last week.
David Proffitt, CEO at the $184 million Alcoa Tenn FCU, Alcoa, Tenn., said Hampel is "well respected and a good economist. I hope he will keep pressure on the CFPB, NCUA and Congress for common sense member regulation on behalf of credit unions. If he does that he will be effective for the movement."
Jim Blaine, CEO of the $27 billion State Employees' Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., called Hampel a "wise choice. He is experienced and knowledgeable, a trusted advisor to many in the credit union movement. Bill has an inspiring passion for credit unions and the analysis and data to prove it."
Henry Wirz, CEO at the $2 billion SAFE CU in North Highlands, Calif., said he has known Hampel for more than 25 years and has great respect and admiration for him. But like many other CU executives, Wirz is calling for CUNA to make adjustments to its structure. "That means they need a change agent as the new president," said Wirz.
Hampel recognized his service as CEO comes at a time when CUs have been voicing concerns about the trade association's structure. "There are a number of issues, and the board has been discussing those issues," he said. "We will continue doing preparatory work, gathering information on some of the issues credit unions want us to look into, but we are not going to come to any conclusions on any of the issues until the new [permanent] president is in the position."
