NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The NCUA will accept comments from creditunion stakeholders on the proposed 2017–2018 budget at a briefingin October, Chairman Rick Metsger announced Wednesday at NAFCU's annualconference.

“As part of my commitment to implement continual qualityimprovement across all aspects of [the] NCUA’s operations, theagency will hold a briefing on the draft budget,” Metsger said.“This budget briefing will be more comprehensive than the briefingspreviously held by the agency. For example, we will release moredetails on the proposed budget before the briefing, so stakeholderscan review and analyze the information before theyparticipate.”

Everyone who participates in the budget briefing will be heard,Metsger said, but the NCUA board still has the responsibility tomake a final decision on expenditures to fulfill its mandate underthe Federal Credit Union Act to protect the safety and soundness ofthe credit union system, the NCUSIF and the more than $1 trillionof members’ accounts.

Following Metsger's speech, NAFCU President/CEO thanked Metsgerfor the move, adding the trade has been advocating for a budgetbriefing for some time.

“NAFCU and its members greatly appreciate Chairman Metsger’sdecision to not only hold this public briefing, but to allow theindustry an early look at the agency’s budget plans – a move thatprovides all stakeholders to provide thoughtful input,” Bergersaid. “This promises to introduce a level of budget transparency wehave not seen in many years.”

The announcement followed the NCUA’s recent decision to conducta comprehensive review of its examination and supervision process. Metsger created a workinggroup to field stakeholder suggestions and report itsrecommendations to the board in September.

Metsger stressed that his exam initiative isn't just aboutextending the exam cycle. He said credit unions have requestedexaminers spend less time onsite, do a better job coordinating withstate supervisor exams and more effectively analyze dataoffsite.

Those changes would not only improve exams for credit unions, itwould improve quality of life for examiners, Metsger said.

CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle called the budget briefing a bigwin for credit unions.

"Along with our partners at the state leagues, we’ve beenworking with the agency to host a forum for stakeholders to weighin and present their views on the budget. We appreciate ChairmanMetsger making this important change for which we have longadvocated," he said in a release.