By Michael Fryzel
It is a well-known fact that if you are seeking a new job, a government appointment or looking to get something accomplished, you want it to be on the short list.
It is also generally believed that the shorter the list you give to someone, the greater the chance of getting done what is on that list.
However, there are some who feel that the more you ask for, or the longer the list, the chances of getting at least something on that list becomes greater. I am not one who holds that belief.
Over the past six years while on the NCUA board I have seen the wish lists compiled by the two major credit union trade organizations and they contain more items than my youngest grandson’s list to Santa Claus. Everyone should know that when asking Congress to do something you have to keep it as short and simple as possible.
Regulatory relief is always on the trades list, as is supplemental capital, member business lending and the retention of the credit union tax-exempt status. There is usually a separate list with those and other more specific wishes for regulatory change that is presented to NCUA.
Lists are good. They remind you of things you need to do or want to get accomplished. It is satisfying to line through something that you have completed or achieved. It makes the list shorter. It is one less thing to do.
I believe nothing justifies my argument that shorter is better than the recent success the trades have had in getting Congress to respond to their concerns about the risk-based capital rule promulgated by NCUA. When presented with that one issue, Congress understood and responded in a way that had to make the trade associations smile. Both associations talking to the members of Congress about the same issue accomplished the task of getting a record number of signatures on a letter to NCUA.
But recently, when representatives of the trades appeared before Congress to give testimony, the list became longer, the number of issues many, and the topics muddled. One almost wanted to ask, what one thing do you really want?
Don't Divide, Conquer
I can only imagine the success that might be achieved if both groups concentrated on one issue. If everyone hiking the hill or going to a campaign event or visiting a district office spoke the same message, maybe, just maybe, the members of Congress would understand and actually take an interest and make the effort to get it done.
I know that’s a big wish in itself, but it might make the short list of what Congress is willing to do.
Michael E. Fryzel is an attorney and advisor to the financial services industry with offices in Chicago, Illinois. He is a past Chairman and Board Member of the National Credit Union Administration. He can be reached at meflaw@aol.com.