The theme of the news this week has been underdogs winning theirbattles by scrapping it out for what's right. From credit unions toregulators, these unexpected victors deserve to bask in theirspoils of the moment.

Everyone believes their causes are the most deserving, andcredit unions are no exception. All 331 credit unions applying tothe NCUA's technical assistance grant program pleaded their cases for atotal of $5 million but ultimately the NCUA's fund only had so muchin funding. Between $1.25 million in congressional funding and someextra funds from last year, the NCUAwas able to award $1.4 million to deserving credit unions—theprogram's highest grant total ever.

Streamlining the applications process led to a 77% increase inapplications, according to the NCUA. This move was the agency'ssecond effort of late to streamline its programs, the last of whichraised the hackles of the community bankers.

The grant money will go to programs to assist with new productand service development as well as VITA programs, which assistlow-income Americans with their tax returns. Hoorah for the NCUAand the low-income credit unions who prove every day they're worthyof the limited grant funds!

One such grant recipient was Bethex FCU for $14,600. Fred Fernandez is an employee there and happens to be ourlatest Trailblazer 40Below, a recognition program for credit union professionalsunder 40. The credit union is extraordinary for all the work itdoes to serve its underserved community and Fernandez is one of thepeople who don a cape behind the scenes.

Fernandez left his life and career in California to serve hishome community after 9/11. He figured he could do some good atBethex until he found “a real job.”

Fernandez constantly strives to meet member needs whilebalancing the resources of a $25 million financial institution.Resolving members' issues to remain relevant is what the job's allabout in the end—and he fills many roles ranging from building anapplication to serve money services businesses to complianceofficer. Go underdogs!

Technology has been the great equalizer in the financialservices market for the past decade or more and as mobile bankingcontinues to grow in popularity that trend will continue forward.Online and mobile banking has bolstered credit unions'convenience ratings, a report by Chadwick Martin Bailey found.

Ten years ago consumers who valued convenience went to bankswhile those who valued service sought out credit unions for theirfinancial services needs. In the most recent study just as manycredit unions members used online banking as bank customers, sothey no longer have to choose between service and convenience bygoing with credit unions.

Just 58% reported that a nearby branch was important, comparedwith 50% who reported that online services were key to convenience.In addition, 85% of credit union members were pleased with theircredit union's online and mobile services, while just 66% of largebank customers rated their experience as satisfactory and just 55%of community bank customers and still fewer (53%) of regional bankcustomers reported being satisfied with their online and mobilebanking experiences.

Where does that leave the banks other than competing on price, alosing game? Score another one for the underdogs!

Meanwhile, newly acquired members of the $388 million Educational Systems Federal Credit Union raised their voices inprotest against a $35 merger conversion fee the credit unionplanned to impose following the takeover of the $401 million,57,700-member Montgomery County Teachers FCU of Derwood, Md. To itscredit, Educational Systems listened to those concerns and decidedagainst charging the members the fee that would have mitigated theexpense of taking in the ailing credit union.

Instead the credit union is relying upon the membership todeepen their relationship with the credit union. EducationalSystems will have a lot of legwork to do on its part to make thathappen but in the long run it's definitely the more member-friendlymethod of supporting the institution's overall safety andsoundness.

This change of heart by Educational Systems after hearing thepleas of its new members is a shot in the arm for alldemocratically controlled financial services cooperatives. Yeah forthe underdogs who spoke out in favor of a better way!

And congrats to another credit union, South Carolina's Greater Abbeville FCU, for having its finger on the pulse ofits community. The $12 million credit union is reaching out tomembers and nonmembers alike to see what it can do to lend ahelping hand to employees affected by the closure of a local plantfor Mohawk Industries. The tiny credit union is offering loanrefinancing and 60 days before the first payment.

I've been accused of being anti-small credit union and that isabsolutely not the case. I am anti-sitting back and watching eventsand trends occur—or denying them entirely—without trying to workwith or around them. I root for the underdogs every time whenthey're fighting the good fight. (After all, I'm a Redskinsfan.)