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The Senate Wednesday approved the nomination of Kyle Hauptman to serve on the NCUA Board; the nomination was cleared by a 56-39 vote. NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger personally connected with Hauptman following the vote to congratulate him on his confirmation.

"NAFCU congratulates Kyle Hauptman on being confirmed to the NCUA Board," said Berger in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Hauptman to ensure credit unions have all the tools necessary to serve their more than 122 million members and continue to grow. We are confident the board will continue to be an effective and independent regulator for the industry."

Berger also sent Hauptman a congratulatory letter highlighting areas the association looks forward to working with Hauptman and the NCUA Board.

"NAFCU appreciates your stated priority of managing the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant economic crisis," Berger wrote. "In recent months, credit unions have stepped up as financial first responders and made every effort to help their members overcome the challenges posed by this pandemic, including offering forbearances or loan modifications, waiving fees, and providing low or no-interest loans. Responsive and timely relief from the NCUA is critical to ensuring credit unions can continue to assist impacted members."

NAFCU recently sent the NCUA – as well as Congress and other regulators – a list of priorities to address in the coming months to ensure credit unions have the resources and flexibility needed to effectively serve their members throughout the crisis.

Hauptman, a Republican, most recently served as economic and policy advisor to Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. Hauptman also served on the 2016 Presidential Transition Team, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Advisory Committee for Small and Emerging Companies from 2015-2016, and as policy advisor for financial services during Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.

Hauptman will replace Board Member J. Mark McWatters; McWatters' term officially expired in August 2019 and he resigned from the board Nov. 20 ahead of Hauptman's confirmation vote. Hauptman's term will run through August 2025.

NCUA Board Chair Rodney Hood said the board will move to swear Hauptman into his seat as soon as possible. The NCUA Board is next scheduled to meet Dec. 17.