Schenk Named Interim Chief Economist at CUNA

WASHINGTON — CUNA has named Mike Schenk interim chief economist to support Bill Hampel, who has temporarily vacated that post to serve as the trade group's interim president and CEO.

CUNA is currently undergoing a search to replace Bill Cheney, who left the helm of the association on Monday to become the CEO of SchoolsFirst FCU in California.

Hampel has temporarily taken the reins of CUNA and will go back to serving as the organization's chief economist as soon as a permanent CEO is on board.

Schenk is the vice president of economics and statistics for CUNA, conducting research that help support CUNA's public relations and lobbying efforts. When Hampel resumes his role as chief economist, Schenk will return to his original post.

"With over 30 years in the financial services industry, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as an economist with CUNA," said Hampel. "I've worked closely with Mike for 22 years and thank him for taking on this important assignment, knowing that the economic analysis provided to credit unions and CUNA's advocacy efforts will not skip a beat."

Prior to joining CUNA in 1992, Schenk was director of research for Financial Research Corporation, where he conducted economic analyses, competitor evaluations and product-line planning for mutual fund companies. His background also includes six years as director of interest rate risk management at the Chicago-based U.S. League of Savings Institutions.