ARLINGTON, Va. – NAFCU last week announced that Dr. Tun Wai will be retiring as its chief economist next month, after 25 years with the association.
NAFCU said Wai, who holds a Ph.D. in economics from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. in finance from New York University, distinguished himself as one of the few industry leaders who spoke candidly about the looming corporate credit union crisis and its eventual costs. He is one of the few experts on arcane credit union matters, such as the National CU Share Insurance Fund, accounting for credit unions and credit union financial data.
During his time at NAFCU Wai created the CU Economics Group, which provides economic data and reports on a variety of emerging topics, and led the NAFCU Board’s annual visits to the Federal Reserve. He also is responsible for the creation of NAFCU’s research publications – including the quarterly Cost of Funds Report and the monthly Economic and CU Issues Monitor – and its economic forecasts.
He joined NAFCU in 1987 after stints at the World Bank, the Federal Reserve and the Brookings Institution.
Wai plans to travel extensively in his retirement.
