Virginia Law

Article 4. Membership.

A. The membership of a credit union shall consist of the incorporators, employees of such credit union, and other persons within the field of membership set forth in the bylaws as have: (i) been fully admitted into membership, (ii) paid any required entrance fee or annual membership fee, or both, (iii) subscribed for one or more shares, (iv) paid the initial installment thereon, and (v) complied with such other requirements as the articles of incorporation or bylaws specify.

B. Credit union membership shall be limited to persons within a specified field of membership, individuals within the immediate family or household of such persons, associations of such persons, other credit unions, and employees of the credit union. The field of membership specified shall be composed of one of the following:

1. A single group having a common bond of occupation or association;

2. More than one group, each of which has a common bond of occupation or association, and each of which does not exceed 3,000 members at the time it is proposed to be included in a multiple common-bond credit union. The 3,000-member limitation shall not apply if the Commission determines that an exception on the grounds provided in subsection (d) (2) or (d) (3) of § 101 of the Credit Union Membership Access Act (12 U.S.C. § 1759) is appropriate. In making any determination under this provision, the Commission shall give consideration to the National Credit Union Administration guidelines; or

3. Those persons or organizations within a well-defined local community, neighborhood or rural district.

The Commission shall in its discretion determine whether a proposed field of membership constitutes a "well-defined local community, neighborhood or rural district." In making such determination, the Commission shall give consideration to the definition of the term that has been adopted by the National Credit Union Administration and has become legally effective.

C. Except as the board of directors may provide to the contrary in the bylaws with respect to termination of membership, once a person or entity becomes a member of a credit union in accordance with this chapter, that person or entity may remain a member of that credit union until the person or entity chooses to withdraw from the credit union.

D. The board of directors may expel from the credit union any member who: (i) has not carried out his obligations to the credit union; (ii) has been convicted of a criminal offense; (iii) neglects or refuses to comply with the provisions of this chapter or of the bylaws; (iv) neglects to pay his debts, or otherwise causes financial loss to the credit union; or (v) has deceived the credit union with regard to the use of borrowed money. No member shall be so expelled until he has been informed in writing of the charges against him, and an opportunity has been given to him, after reasonable notice, to be heard.

E. Members of the credit union shall not be personally liable for payment of the debts of the credit union.

F. The surviving spouse of a deceased credit union member shall be eligible to become a member of the credit union to which the deceased member belonged. In no other instance shall an individual be eligible for membership in a credit union on the basis of the individual's relationship to another person who is eligible for membership in the credit union, unless the individual is a member of the immediate family or household of such person. The board of directors of a credit union may provide in the bylaws for a less inclusive policy governing membership by virtue of relationship to another person, and such policy shall be effective.

G. Societies, associations, organizations, partnerships, and corporations composed of persons who are eligible for membership may be admitted to membership in the same manner and under the same conditions as such persons.

H. Any individual or entity that was a member of a credit union as of July 1, 1999, may remain a member of the credit union after that date, and any group that was included in the field of membership of a credit union on that date may remain within the field of membership of that credit union after that date. The successor of an entity that was a member or was eligible for membership in a credit union or for inclusion in a field of membership on July 1, 1999, retains the status of its predecessor.

Code 1950, § 6-213; 1956, c. 90; 1966, c. 584, § 6.1-204; 1968, c. 560; 1990, c. 373, § 6.1-225.23; 1999, c. 63; 2010, c. 794.

When practicable and consistent with reasonable safety-and-soundness standards, the Commission shall encourage the formation of a separately chartered credit union instead of adding a new group to the field of membership of an existing credit union. If the Commission finds that the formation of a separate credit union by a group desiring such services is not practicable, or is not consistent with reasonable safety-and-soundness standards, it may authorize the group to be included in the field of membership of a state credit union that is located within reasonable proximity, if the Commission finds, based on the information it compiles, that the credit union proposed to be expanded:

1. Is adequately capitalized and will continue to have insurance on its members' shares and other accounts;

2. Has not engaged in any materially unsafe or unsound practice in the year preceding its application to expand; and

3. Has the management, administrative and financial resources to serve the additional group effectively. The Commission shall not authorize the proposed inclusion of a new group unless it finds that any potential harm to another insured credit union or its members which would likely result from the proposed expansion is clearly outweighed in the public interest by the probable beneficial effects of the proposed expansion in meeting the convenience and needs of the members of the group proposed to be included.

1999, c. 63, § 6.1-225.23:1; 2010, c. 794.

A. The annual meeting and any special meeting of the credit union shall be held in accordance with the bylaws.

B. At all meetings a member shall have but one vote. Except as hereinafter provided, no member may vote by proxy, but a member may vote by absentee ballot, mail, or other method if the bylaws so provide. An entity having membership in the credit union may be represented by one person authorized by the entity to so represent it. At any meeting called for the purpose of amending the articles of incorporation or dissolving the credit union any member may vote by proxy.

C. The board of directors may establish a minimum age, not greater than 18 years of age, as a qualification of eligibility to vote at meetings of the members, to hold office, or both.

Code 1950, § 6-218; 1956, c. 90; 1966, c. 584, § 6.1-209; 1968, c. 560; 1984, c. 353; 1990, c. 373, § 6.1-225.24; 2010, c. 794.

A. The supervisory committee by a majority vote may call a meeting of the members to consider any violation of this chapter, the credit union's articles of incorporation or bylaws, or any practice of the credit union deemed by the supervisory committee to be unsafe or unauthorized.

B. The bylaws may also prescribe the manner in which a special meeting of the members may be called by the members or by the board of directors.

Code 1950, § 6-222; 1966, c. 584, § 6.1-213; 1974, c. 106; 1982, c. 574; 1990, c. 373, § 6.1-225.25; 2010, c. 794.