Conservatorships and Liquidations (2024)

Conservatorships:From time to time, the National Credit Union Administration places a credit union into conservatorship in order to resolve operational problems that could affect that credit union’s safety and soundness.Conservatorship means the NCUA has taken control of the credit union.During a conservatorship, the credit union remains open; members may transact business; and accounts remain insured by theNational Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. For federally chartered credit unions, the NCUA takes this action on its own; in the case of a state-chartered credit union, the state supervisory authority initiates the conservatorship and in many cases appoints the NCUA as agent for the conservator.

Conservatorships can have three outcomes:

  • The credit union can resolve its operational problems and be returned to member ownership;
  • The credit union can merge with another credit union; or
  • The NCUA can liquidate the credit union.

Liquidations:Liquidation means a credit union has been closed; however, a liquidated credit union may be purchased — and members, assets, and loans assumed — by another credit union, so that members will be able to continue receiving financial services. If a credit union is placed into liquidation, the NCUA’s Asset Management and Assistance Center (AMAC) will oversee the liquidation and set up an asset management estate (AME) to manage assets, settle members’ insurance claims, and attempt to recover value from the closed credit union’s assets.

An AME holds the assets of a failed institution. Commonly administered by AMAC, to which the NCUA Board has delegated statutory authorities providing broad supervisory and management powers over the credit union's assets and operations. These powers include the ability to facilitate funding and disposition of assets. Also known as a liquidation estate.

If the member shares are not assumed by another credit union, all verified member shares are typically paid within five days of a credit union’s closure.

No member of a federally insured credit union has ever lost a penny in insured accounts.

Conservatorships and Liquidations (2024)

FAQs

Has a credit union ever failed? ›

Experts told us that credit unions do fail, like banks (which are also generally safe), but rarely. And deposits up to $250,000 at federally insured credit unions are guaranteed, just as they are at banks.

What happens to my money if a credit union fails? ›

When a credit union fails, the NCUA is responsible for managing and closing the institution. The NCUA's Asset Management and Assistance Center liquidates the credit union and returns funds from accounts to its members. The funds are typically returned within five days of closure.

Has the NCUA ever paid out? ›

With this new distribution, the NCUA will have returned more than $2.7 billion to former membership and paid in capital shareholders and more than $360 million in dividends to shareholders.

How long does NCUA have to pay you back? ›

If the member shares are not assumed by another credit union, all verified member shares are typically paid within five days of a credit union's closure. No member of a federally insured credit union has ever lost a penny in insured accounts.

Will credit unions crash like banks? ›

Like banks, which are federally insured by the FDIC, credit unions are insured by the NCUA, making them just as safe as banks. The National Credit Union Administration is a US government agency that regulates and supervises credit unions.

Are credit unions safe if banks crash? ›

Just like banks, credit unions are federally insured; however, credit unions are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Instead, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is the federal insurer of credit unions, making them just as safe as traditional banks.

Has anyone ever lost money in a credit union? ›

“Not one penny of insured savings has ever been lost by a member of a federally insured credit union.”

What is the downfall of a credit union? ›

Credit union disadvantages

Membership may require meeting certain work, residential or occupational requirements. Many typically offer branches only in a limited area or region.

Why do banks not like credit unions? ›

For decades, bankers have objected to the tax breaks and sponsor subsidies enjoyed by credit unions and not available to banks. Because such challenges haven't slowed down the growth of credit unions, banks continue to look for other reasons to allege unfair competition.

Are credit unions more likely to fail than banks? ›

Both can be hit hard by tough economic conditions, but credit unions were statistically less likely to fail during the Great Recession. But no matter which you go with, you shouldn't worry about losing money. Both credit unions and banks have deposit insurance and are generally safe places for your money.

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