Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives

Tawana Y. James is the Director of the Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives (OSCUI). As Director, Tawana is responsible for overseeing the activities of the OSCUI by assisting in the NCUA’s risk mitigation program and encouraging credit union development, particularly in the expansion of services that small credit unions provide to eligible consumers. Of the nation's more than 7,700 federally insured credit unions, almost half are defined as small credit unions. OSCUI also oversees the national chartering process for new federal charters, provides national training to credit unions; provides one-on-one specialized technical assistance to credit unions; fosters partnerships and administers the Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.

 Prior to becoming the Director of OSCUI, Tawana held several other senior level positions including Regional Director, NCUA’s Deputy Executive Director, Deputy Director of Examination and Insurance, Associate Regional Director of Operation and Director of Supervision. She started her career with NCUA in 1980 as an Accounting Technician and has also held positions as Principal Examiner and Problem Case Officer in Region II and Loss Case Officer in the Office of Examination and Insurance.

Tawana holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Towson State University, Towson, MD. She has completed several higher education courses, most notable is the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Managers. Tawana is married to Reginald E. Stevens and has two children, Reginald and Felicia.