Acting Comptroller of the Currency, John Walsh spoke before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Thursday, about the challenges facing his office in adapting to the Dodd-Frank Act — citing the transition as a “mammoth effort.” His sentiment was reiterated in a letter to Congress from the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. “The additional requirements imposed by Dodd-Frank have created an overwhelming number of new compliance burdens, which will take credit unions considerable time and effort to resolve,” the letter said. “A slightly longer period for implementation of Dodd-Frank — up to 24 months — would help alleviate some of these burdens and give credit unions more time to comply.” Walsh said the biggest task right now is integrating the Office of Thrift Supervision into the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which requires the OCC to not only revise its rules, but review and republish the rules for the OTS also. The OCC duties under the bill also include supporting the Financial Stability Oversight Committee, whose first meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Walsh expects that under Basel III, will help advance the Dodd-Frank Act and help absorb some of the present challenges. The NAFCU, however, sent its own list of recommended changes and potential provisions for Congress to consider, including changes to the appraiser independence standard (mandatory reporting requirements on credit unions and other lenders who believe an appraiser is behaving unethically or violating applicable codes and laws, with heavy monetary penalties for failure to comply) and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s power to preempt consumer protection rules. Write to Christine Ricciardi.