FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 2140
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 8 L 14
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning credit unions' mergers.
Sponsors: Representatives Ryu, Stanford, Kirby, Moscoso and Vick.
House Committee on Business & Financial Services
Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance
Background:
Credit unions doing business in Washington may be chartered by the state or federal government. The National Credit Union Administration regulates federally chartered credit unions. The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) regulates state-chartered credit unions.
State-chartered credit unions may merge with approval by directors and members. A merger requires approval by a majority vote of each credit union's board of directors and a two-thirds majority of voting members of the merging credit union.
Legislation was enacted in 2013 which modified various aspects of credit unions' corporate governance, including mergers. Before the changes were enacted, a merger required approval by a two-thirds majority vote of merging credit unions' boards of directors and a two-thirds majority of voting members of the merging credit union. The 2013 law eliminated the boards of directors' two-thirds majority requirement in favor of a simple majority, but left in place the requirement of a two-thirds majority of voting members.
Under federal law, federally chartered credit unions may merge upon a vote of a simple majority of voting members. Washington state-chartered credit unions may follow this procedure with permission of the DFI.
Summary:
State-chartered credit unions may merge with the approval of a simple majority of voting members of the merging credit union.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 98 | 0 | |
Senate | 49 | 0 |
Effective: | June 12, 2014 |