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.
The Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives (OSCUI) was formed to foster credit
union development and their effective delivery of financial services, facilitate
expansion of credit union services through new charters and field of membership
expansions, and coordinate efforts -- with third-party organizations -- to improve
the viability and successful operation of credit unions. OSCUI administers the Community
Development Revolving Loan Program, which supports low-income designated credit
unions serving low-income communities with low-interest loans/deposits.