In 2015, the NCUA board proposed a new ruling enabling the entire state of North Dakota to be designated as a rural district for common bond purposes, even though more than half of residents live in urban areas.
“The NCUA Board proposes to comprehensively amend its chartering and field of
membership rules to put them in a more efficient framework and to maximize access to federal credit union services to the extent permitted by law. The amendments will implement changes in policy affecting: the definition of a local community, a rural district, and an underserved area; the expansion of multiple common bond credit unions and members’ proximity to them; the expansion of single common bond credit unions based on a trade, industry or profession; and the process for applying to charter or expand a federal credit union.”
Read more in the proposal from the NCUA.
