The Credit Union National Association is taking the unusual step of reconsidering a recent decision about its membership requirements amid backlash from the industry, the news site Credit Union Times reported Tuesday.

CUNA currently requires members to be part of both the national association and one of 42 state and regional credit union leagues across the nation. Earlier this year, a special task force created by CUNA's board of directors recommended the association drop the dual membership requirement. The board rejected the idea, saying the industry would be stronger if the connection between CUNA and the local leagues was maintained.

That decision set off a firestorm of controversy in the credit union industry, according to CU Times. Acknowledging the backlash, CUNA CEO Jim Nussle notified the board in October that his senior management team is drafting new bylaws that would reorganize the association's management structure.

"He believes there's a need to take a step back and re-evaluate the board's decision on membership choice," stated a document obtained by the news site. "To that end, CUNA management will be drafting new CUNA bylaws to modernize its membership structure."

The revised bylaws will be brought before board members in December for consideration.

News of Nussle's decision came roughly two months after the CEO announced CUNA was cutting its dues. The organization has recently taken several steps to streamline its operations, trimming its operations budget by $1.4 million in 2015. http://bit.ly/1IdSHsy

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