1、Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web98-933 EUpdated January 5, 2001Credit Union Membership Access Act:Background and IssuesPauline H. SmaleAnalyst in Economic Government and Finance DivisionSummaryOn February 25, 1998, the U.S. S
2、upreme Court ruled in favor of the bankingindustry, invalidating the National Credit Union Administrations (NCUA) policyregarding multiple-group fields of membership for federal credit unions. Multiple-groupfederal credit unions (FCUs) and litigation challenging the structure and membership inthese
3、FCUs have been the focus of much media attention and congressional concern.After the decision, Congress moved quickly to pass legislation addressing the concernsof the credit union industry. On August 7, 1998, P.L. 105-219 the Credit UnionMembership Access Act was enacted. The Act grandfathers all c
4、urrent FCUs and allcurrent credit union members. The Act provides for future multiple-group formationssubject to limitations that the NCUA must consider when authorizing charters. Inaddition, the statute contains provisions for stricter regulatory, supervisory andcommercial lending requirements for