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NCUA exam reports often contain more than meets the eye.

Examiner findings, supplementary facts, and documents of resolution may look like routine supervisory language — but each serves a distinct purpose and sends a different signal to credit union boards and management.

In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel is joined by former NCUA senior leaders Steve Farr and Todd Miller to break down how exam reports are structured, how issues escalate, and what credit unions should be paying attention to long before enforcement actions appear.

Drawing on decades of NCUA experience, the discussion explains how examiners decide where issues belong in the report, why volume matters as much as severity, and how governance and communication failures often sit at the root of repeat findings.

This is an evergreen episode for any credit union executive, board member, or compliance professional who wants to better understand what NCUA is really saying — and how to respond effectively.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

The practical differences between examiner findings, supplementary facts, and documents of resolution
Why a long list of “minor” findings can be a major warning sign
How supplementary facts are used to signal emerging risk and specialist concerns
What elevates an issue into a document of resolution
The SMART framework examiners are expected to use — and where it breaks down
How unresolved issues contribute to CAMEL rating pressure
Why corporate governance increasingly appears in exam reports
The role communication plays in preventing escalation
What boards should ask before approving a document of resolution

Who Should Listen:

Credit union board members
CEOs and executive leadership teams
Compliance, risk, and governance professionals
Credit unions preparing for an upcoming NCUA exam
Institutions experiencing repeat findings or growing examiner scrutiny

Key Takeaway:

NCUA exam reports are not just compliance documents — they are communication tools. Understanding how examiners signal concern helps credit unions prioritize issues, respond proportionately, and avoid unnecessary escalation.

About the Host:

Mark Treichel is a former senior NCUA executive and the founder of Credit Union Exam Solutions. With more than three decades of regulatory experience, Mark helps credit unions understand NCUA expectations and navigate examinations with confidence.

Volatility vs. Risk | Ep 301