(May 6, 2011 – New York, NY) The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) announced yesterday that Bill Myers, a well-known community development advocate and founder of Alternatives Federal Credit Union, an Ithaca, New York community development credit union (CDCU), will be named Director of its Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives (OSCUI).  He is slated to begin on June 6.

OSCUI, which is an office within the credit union regulatory agency, seeks to foster credit union development and the effective delivery of financial services by small credit unions. OSCUI also works to ensure the viability and successful operation of credit unions, and administers the Community Development Revolving Loan Program, which supports low-income designated credit unions serving low-income communities.

“The Federation has worked with Bill Myers throughout his decades at Alternatives FCU, where he established its reputation as one of the most innovative CDCUs in the country, and in his subsequent career as a consultant,” explained National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation) President/CEO Cliff Rosenthal. “He knows the issues facing small and low-income credit unions as well as anyone in the country, and we commend NCUA for bringing to the agency’s Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives someone with vast operational experience in the credit union movement.”

A professional and accomplished credit union leader, Myers recently served as the interim CEO at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union, an $89-million-in-assets California CDCU, where he guided the credit union through an executive transition by reorganizing staff, redesigning its product offerings, and refocusing the credit union’s mission.

Myers previously worked as a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute, where he also consulted on credit union economic development, community opportunity, and strategic planning. Additionally, he has served on the boards of the CheckSpring Bank Corporation and the State of New York Mortgage Authority.

In 1979, Myers founded Alternatives Federal Credit Union. He led the institution until 2007. During his tenure, the credit union grew to become a $50 million institution serving 8,700 mostly low-income members.  Alternatives FCU currently serves 9,636 members and has grown to more than $71 million in assets.

“Bill Myers is nationally recognized for his exceptional and creative work supporting small credit unions throughout the country,” explained NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz. “His extensive knowledge of issues affecting small credit unions, proven expertise in community development, and demonstrated strategic leadership skills make him the ideal candidate to lead this office. Indeed, not only small credit unions, but NCUA and the entire credit union community will benefit from Bill’s new role in the agency.”

Myers was awarded the Federation’s Annie Vamper “Helping Hands” award in 2004.  The highest award given by the Federation, the Vamper Award honors the heroes of the CDCU movement.

© 2011 National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.