Conservatorship: When NCUA Removes the Board & What You Need to Know

Episode Summary:

In this special episode, hosts Mark Treichel, Steve Farrar, and Todd Miller dive into the high-stakes world of NCUA conservatorships—when the agency steps in to remove a credit union’s board and take control. Drawing from their extensive experience handling some of the largest conservatorships in NCUA history, they provide insider insights on:

• What conservatorship means and when it happens
• The role of the NCUA as both regulator and conservator
• Why NCUA often opts for conservatorship over cease-and-desist actions
• The challenges of managing a conservatorship from both a regulator’s and a credit union’s perspective
• Success stories and lessons learned from past conservatorships

The hosts reflect on the intensity, challenges, and rewards of the conservatorship process, including the balance between protecting the NCUSIF (National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund) and serving credit union members. Whether you’re a credit union executive, regulator, or industry observer, this episode delivers valuable insights into one of the NCUA’s most powerful enforcement tools.

Key Quotes:

🗣️ “Conservatorships are an adrenaline ride. They can be a challenge, they can be fun, they can be scary—and they can be very effective when they're appropriate.” – Mark Treichel

🗣️ “Most conservatorships come down to people problems—boards and executives that can’t or won’t fix the issues.” – Todd Miller

🗣️ “NCUA has to strike a balance between protecting the insurance fund and doing what’s best for the credit union’s members.” – Steve Farrar

Resources & Links:

🔹 Learn more about NCUA conservatorships and credit union exam solutions at MarkTreichel.com

🔹 Subscribe to With Flying Colors on your favorite podcast platform to stay up to date on credit union regulations and best practices.

🎧 Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most extreme actions NCUA can take—hit play now!