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Navy Federal Credit Union, the world's largest credit union in terms of members and assets, has become a direct member of NACHA, the Herndon, Va.-based electronic-payments organization that oversees U.S. development and management of rules for automated clearinghouse transactions, both organizations announced this morning. Direct membership will enable Navy Federal to influence NACHA's operating rules, David Willis, credit union vice president of debit and funds services, tells ATM&Debit News, a CardLine sister publication. NACHA has 44 direct members, including 25 financial institutions and 19 regional payment associations. Navy Federal, which is based in Vienna, Va., and has offices worldwide, is the 22nd largest receiver of ACH payments, Willis says. Last year, Navy Federal received 87 million ACH transactions. Willis is an interim member of NACHA's board of directors and is a member of two of its councils–electronic check conversion and the Internet. Navy Federal, which paid a one-time membership fee of less than $50,000 to join NACHA, also is a member of NACHA's regional associations. NACHA will charge Navy Federal an annual membership fee of less than $25,000, Willis says. Navy Federal has 3 million members and $35 billion in assets.
