Credit Union Times Magazine November-17, 2010

Small CUs Can Grow Mortgages

By David Morrison

Two credit unions with assets of less than $300 million have found that smaller size need not preclude them from having strong mortgage programs.

Nevada CUSO Sued by NCUA

By Michelle A. Samaad

North Star Business Services LLC, a CUSO that did business with the liquidated Ensign Federal Credit Union, has been hit

NCUA: Make Decisions Soon

Though it has not said it in writing, the NCUA is asking credit unions to make decisions on corporate credit unions by the first part of next year.

Exemption on the Table

A draft proposal of a report by a presidentially appointed deficit reduction panel includes an option that would eliminate many tax exemptions, including the one for credit unions.

Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming Plan Consolidation

By Jim Rubenstein

The trend toward trade group consolidation picked up more steam last week with plans by the Arizona Credit Union League and Credit Union Associations of Colorado and Wyoming to merge.

Cultural Fit Helps Nebraska CU Build Investment Program

By Michelle A. Samaad

The frustration with representatives pushing products on members who did not really need or want them was behind SAC Federal Credit Union's decision to rethink the positioning of its investment services program.

CUNA Board Race Heats Up

By Jim Rubenstein

CEOs of small credit unions in six Midwest states began voting last week in a now hotly contested four-way race for a CUNA board seat.

NCUF Launches Giving Option

By David Morrison

The National Credit Union Foundation has achieved one of its long-term fund raising goals, developing a mechanism that individuals can use to support NCUF programs.

NCUA Clarifies Rules On Volunteers' Insurance

By Claude R. Marx

Credit unions can give their executives long-term care insurance, even if it provides protection for non-credit union activities, but they can't provide

NAFCU on Flexibility Changes

NAFCU President/CEO Fred Becker criticized the NCUA for providing "insufficient justification" when making its decisions to eliminate certain

CBC Merging With Civic Arts CU

The $349 million CBC Federal Credit Union of Oxnard, Calif. cleared major hurdles last week to merge the struggling $11

Empower FCU Merger Set for Jan.

The $900 million Empower Federal Credit Union of Syracuse, N.Y., expects to complete a merger of an ailing competitor, the $10 million Providers FCU, by Jan. 1.

Automated Loan Approval Safeguards

Federal credit unions can use a fully automated loan approval process but should be careful that it has safeguards to ensure that it doesn't raise safety

NCUA on Lending

Federal credit unions must consider additional information submitted by applicants to supplement their credit reports when considering credit

Fed Reg Comments

CUNA and CUNA Mutual Group are urging credit unions to contact the Federal

First Commonwealth Merger Is Completed

In its first merger in three years, the $480 million First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union of Lehigh Valley, Pa., has

Divided Government May Provide Opportunities for CUs

By Claude R. Marx

Thanks to the voters' decisions earlier this month, after a two-year hiatus we will be able to find out.

Former CU Executive Examines the Fed, Warts and All

By Claude R. Marx

Like the Wizard of Oz, the Federal Reserve is shrouded in mystery and does its work in a big building and often operates without much transparency.

Intuit Poll: Uptick in PFM

The number of Americans using online personal financial management tools from their financial institutions is growing, and nearly half recently switched

$500 Mil. Mark for Northwest

A CUSO owned by Northwest Federal Credit Union recently reached the $500 million in assets under management mark.

Pawtucket CU Helps Members Cope With Tough Economy

At the same time Pawtucket Credit Union has seen membership and assets swell, it has faced the challenge of helping members struggling through a time of high unemployment.

NBC Universal EFCU's Bowren Lights Up Leno's Dressing Room

By Heather Anderson

Kirk Bowren, President/CEO of NBC Universal Employees FCU, creates classic-auto themed lamps, which he sells on his website,

League, Regulator Press NCUA on Constitution Corporate

By Jim Rubenstein

The corporate focus and how the industry deals with service options as a result of the NCUA's restructuring turned mostly to Connecticut last week, with continued interest in the

Washington Regulator Liquidates Spokane CU

Citing losses caused by loan losses, Washington Department of Financial Institutions closed The Union Credit Union of Spokane and appointed the NCUA as liquidating agent.

Mexican Outreach

A trip to C?rdoba, Mexico, proved mutually beneficial for Servus Credit Union and the local Caja Yanga credit union.

California and Nevada Leagues Win Award

The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues were honored for two of its marketing campaigns at the Association

Mobile Banking For Business

The corporate mobile banking market might hold potential for credit unions wanting to push the envelope on business services.

Advisers Feel Better About Employers

After a considerable decline in adviser perceptions from 2007 to 2008, financial adviser sentiment regarding their firms has

MAC Superstar

The votes are in for the MAC NOW Superstar and it's Denver Community Credit Union.

WAUSAU Rolls Out RDC Re-Brand

The remote-deposit capture product lineup at WAUSAU Financial Systems has been re-branded and re-named Deposit 24/7.

Firethorn Mobile Gets PSECU, CU*Answers Nod

The 370,000 members of Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) and more than 10 million members of credit unions served by

UW Launches Rich Text

The 149,000 members of UW Credit Union can now manage their accounts, and avoid potential overdraft charges, through

MeridianLink Account Opening

MeridianLink said its account opening tools have been added to the Internet banking services offered by First Data Corp.

Patent Protection to Video Teller

A video teller system that allows credit unions to offer 24/7 service with ?

Share One Holds a Client Confab

Share One Inc. held its recent client conference in hometown Memphis, Tenn., attracting 56 attendees from 35 credit unions, the CUSO said.

Fiserv's Corillian Adds PFM

Personal financial management tools, including integrated direct bill pay, are central features of the new version of the Corillian Online banking platform from Fiserv Inc.

Mobile RDC Added at NASA FCU

Members of NASA Federal Credit Union can now deposit checks via Android or iPhone mobile devices.

Mobile Bankers Enroll

Orange County Credit Union's new mobile banking service drew the attention of nearly 3% of its 78,000 members within

CoastHills Adds iPhone

CoastHills Federal Credit Union has introduced an integrated marketing and mobile banking application for the iPhone that the Lompoc, Calif

CUSO Notches $1M Year

Xtend Inc. said its eighth year in business has been its most productive, exceeding $1 million in revenue for the first time.

FIS Adds Loyalty Provider

FIS has acquired ValueCentric Marketing Group Inc. in a bid to expand its loyalty solutions into healthcare, retail, petroleum, transportation and government markets.

Mich. CUSO To Symitar

Member Driven Technologies said it has just converted two more credit unions to users of the Symitar Episys core

City CU Adds Intranet Portal

City Credit Union in Dallas, Texas, has become the 200th user of the employee intranet portal from Passageways, LLC.

Study Finds BPO Dissatisfaction

A new ASQ survey finds widespread dissatisfaction with business process outsourcing, particularly in the area of

Things That Make You Go Hmmm

By Sarah Snell Cooke

A month or so ago I was asked to do another Q&A session for the Metropolitan Area Credit Union Management Association, but after I agreed I was told that the NCUA, which was to have a representative on a panel regarding the

Reg Z Proposals May Harm CUs and Members

The Federal Reserve Board's proposed amendments to Regulation Z regarding credit insurance and debt protection products are inaccurate,

It's Time to Rethink Credit Union Conferences

Over the past 11 months as a contractor for the Filene Research Institute, dozens of credit unions, state leagues and national associations have blessed

John Stewart Is Right

I watched John Stewart's recent Rally to Restore Sanity. One

Board Reform Is What's Needed

I read with interest the Editor's Column in the Nov. 3 issue where you discussed the issue of whether credit union board members should now be

People

People

Surcharge-Free Are ATMs Surviving, But Under Pressure

By David Morrison

Credit unions under pressure to increase their noninterest income will continue to seek and offer surcharge-free ATM access but may tweak their

Donations

Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, Aberdeen, Md., hosted a successful community donation drive in August and September, collecting new

Awards

Arizona State Credit Union, Phoenix, was recognized by the Public Relations Society of America during its Copper Anvil Awards for its excellence in public