It's unlikely anyone expected TO call new NCUA Chairman Rick Metsger a "do-nothing" chairman, but surely few expected him to come out guns blazing, either.
After all, how can you expect a guy who may only have less than a year on the job to make that big of an impact in so little time at a government agency—especially one who some may have expected to largely follow in the clear-trodden path left by his same-party predecessor?
But, determined to put his stamp on NCUA, Metsger already has steered a significantly different course—some would suggest a full about face—on a couple of key issues, as CU Journal has reported, holding public board briefings and committing to reforming both call reports and different aspects of the examination process, including the exam cycle.
Both of these moves are calculated to give Metsger the best-possible chance of succeeding in moving key initiatives forward despite the stark political realities he will face during what is likely to be a relatively short tenure as chairman.
With a three-member board, the person at the helm is most often a member of the reigning president's party—and usually has one other board member from that same party to caucus with, if you will. But Metsger has no such colleague to side with him.
Instead, he is paired with Republican J. Mark McWatters, with whom he has frequently disagreed on a number of matters—and who has often complained that briefings weren't always done in a manner that provided enough opportunity for all board members to deliberate and have input.
Holding these briefings in public, well in advance of a rule being issued for comment, is a savvy move that potentially builds goodwill with McWatters—whose vote Metsger will need to get anything done—and with the regulated industry that has long criticized the agency's lack of transparency.
Whether this is a simple matter of political expedience or a philosophy of leadership he wasn't in a position to exercise up to now, Metsger's new activist leanings should help propel his agenda forward.
Stay tuned for my interview with Chairman Metsger on his goals for his tenure coming up at
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