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In a follow-up to a previously filed petition, NAFCU's Elizabeth LaBerge Wednesday urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expedite efforts to ensure financial institutions can contact consumers on matters related to the coronavirus pandemic during the national emergency.

"This is an extant emergency, and information from credit unions and other financial institutions are a first step to resolving that threat to the economic security of our nation and its consumers," wrote LaBerge, NAFCU's senior regulatory counsel. "The pandemic and its economic effects have moved with incredible speed."

In the original petition, NAFCU joined with other financial services trade associations to urge the FCC to issue a declaratory ruling to except informational calls related to the coronavirus pandemic from the consent requirements under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

In the letter, LaBerge asked the FCC to issue an interim declaratory ruling regarding the petition, or to act on the petition on an expedited basis.

LaBerge noted the "extant, ongoing and potentially catastrophic" economic effects of the pandemic and emphasized the urgent need for access to financial assistance and communication.

"As consumers lose their jobs or get furloughed, they have an immediate need to speak with their mortgage lender to secure their housing," wrote LaBerge. "These calls provide consumers with critical information about how they can safely access their assistance from their credit union during the pandemic."

Currently, the comment period for the FCC's public notice regarding information calls does not close until May 21.

"The comment period established by the FCC fails to recognize the severity and significance of the pandemic and its economic fallout," added LaBerge.

NAFCU has repeatedly shared concerns about credit unions' legitimate calls being erroneously blocked and has actively worked with the FCC on efforts to modernize the TCPA for several years.

Additionally, in February the association joined with more than a dozen other trade groups and stakeholders to ask the FCC to clarify the definition of autodialer under the TCPA. The coalition previously petitioned the FCC for clarification following an appeals court's decision that invalidated the FCC's autodialer definition.

NAFCU will continue its advocacy to ensure credit unions can contact their members regarding important, time-sensitive information.