Credit Union Times Magazine April-01, 2009

NCUA Seeking Treasury's Help to Ease Burden of Corporate Woes

By Claude R. Marx

The NCUA wants Congress to create a stabilization fund financed by a larger line of credit from the Treasury Department so credit unions can spread out over seven years premiums for the cost of placing U.S.

Best Issues A Rating To CUNA Mutual

By Lindsey Siegriest

A.M. Best, a full-service credit rating organization for the financial service industries, gave CUNA Mutual Group a financial strength rating of A (excellent).

Investment Program Reconfiguration Fueled by Stabilization Frustration

By Michelle A. Samaad

Just how much of an impact levying a share insurance fund premium to shore up the corporate credit union network will have on the delivery of products and services to members remains to be seen.

New CDFI Funds Could Plug Capital Hole Left by Stabilization Expenses

By David Morrison

Sometimes even the best circumstances bring challenges.

CUs Scramble as KeyBank Plans to Shut Down Surcharge-Free ATM Program

By David Morrison

For the first time in years, surcharge-free ATM access will contract.

Fort Wayne Contractors Find a Flow of Services From Three Rivers FCU

By Marc Rapport

Instead of being nickel and dimed by the banks, the folks at Lan-Con Electric Inc. get a little something back every month from the northeast Indiana credit union where they now do their commercial banking.

The Golden 1 Purchases $500 Million State Note

By Heather Anderson

The $7 billion The Golden 1 Credit Union has purchased a $500 million private placement, short-term revenue anticipation note issued by the State of California.

Michigan CU to Buy Bank

By Jim Rubenstein

With the adoption of new regulations, a $1.6 billion Grand Rapids, Mich., credit union could soon buy an ailing bank.

CUs Are Reluctant to Hire, but Top Talent Is Still Hard to Find

By Eileen Courter

What can you expect if you'd like to move up to a new job or need to hire some people this year?

SEC Conducting Review of Its Handling of Whistleblower Tips

By Michelle A. Samaad

The process of handling whistleblower complaints and enforcement tips is undergoing some changes, the Securities and Exchange Commission said.

Manning's Responsible Debt-Relief Algorithm Under NCUA Review

By Heather Anderson

Robert Manning, keynote speaker at the NCUA's recent Risk Mitigation Summit, said he's been working with the agency to create an opinion letter on his responsible debt relief algorithm so credit unions can implement it.

Hope Community Arrives on Mississippi Coast With New Branch

By David Morrison

The $69 million Hope Community Credit Union and its principal sponsor, the Enterprise Corp. of the Delta, celebrated the launching of a branch on Mississippi's Gulf Coast, an area still recovering from damage from previous severe hurricanes.

Schwab Survey Finds That Hope Springs for an Autumn Turnaround

By Michelle A. Samaad

According to a Charles Schwab survey of more than 1,200 independent financial advisers, early signs of economic recovery could come by early fall.

Makeovers for Small Business

By Michelle A. Samaad

Power Financial Credit Union wants to help make over a small business with help from office product retailer Staples.

Mica to Senate: Keep the NCUA Separate and Eliminate MBL Cap

By Claude R. Marx

WASHINGTON -- CUNA President Dan Mica told lawmakers last week that placing credit unions under the same regulator as banks would be like "having a chicken being put into the fox lair."

Corporate Crisis Doesn't Turn Many Heads With Public or in the Media

By Jim Rubenstein

The U.S. Central-Wescorp crisis that consumed credit union management last week turned into almost a nonevent in the public forum.

After Corporates Fall, PR Experts Say Time to Move Beyond Safe and Sound

By Myriam DiGiovanni

Stand up, speak out and embrace the truth is the advice public relations experts have regarding how credit unions should handle being the latest to be swept away by the financial crisis wave.

Filson Takes Lead on NCUA Challenge, PIMCO's Possible Conflict of Interest

By Heather Anderson

Callahan and Associates' President Chip Filson and Executive Vice President Jay Johnson broadcast the shot heard around the credit union world March 24 when they publicly challenged the NCUA's

CDCUs Face Range of Cuts to Survive

By David Morrison

Just at the point where a significant number of community development credit unions have an opportunity to apply for more federal funds,

CEOs Are Confused But Determined; Wash. League Nails PIMCO to the Wall

By Jim Rubenstein

Industry executives reacted last week with a combination of utter dismay, resignation, confusion plus a wary determination to get through the US Central-Wescorp crisis, while girding for the next surprise event from the NCUA.

NCUA Conserves U.S. Central, WesCorp

By Heather Anderson

Armed with 70 auditors and bureaucrats, the NCUA placed both the $34 billion U.S. Central Federal Corporate Credit Union and the $23 billion Western Federal Corporate Credit Union into conservatorship March 20,

MDDCCUA Launches Financial Literacy Tool

Credit unions in Washington, D.C., and Maryland can take advantage of FoolProof as a way to educate their members and others in their community about personal finance issues.

Lax Due Diligence, Too Much Lead Lender Trust May Topple Participations

By Michelle A. Samaad

Known for its trusting nature, the credit union industry may be hurting itself when it comes to working with the lead lender in loan participation arrangements.

Small Business Owners Can't Afford to Pass Up CU Partnerships

In the year 2001, I began working at my first credit union as a young college student trying to leverage himself in the business world as a marketer.

Corporate Takeovers Are No Laughing Matter

By Sarah Snell Cooke

Since this issue is dated April Fool's Day, I wish it was a joke, but it's not a joke. Credit unions are taking bailout money.

CUSOs Strive for Normalcy Amid Corporate Conservatorship Frenzy

By Michelle A. Samaad

Across the country, CUSOs with ties to U.S. Central Federal Credit Union and WesCorp are following one of the NCUA's goals as it takes over the struggling corporates: maintain a "business as usual" posture.

Do the Math on ATM/POS Networks

A March 4 CU Times opinion article refers to the additional value accorded credit unions by participating in an ATM/POS

CUs Reap Local, National Benefits From Investment in Cherry Blossom Run

The stabilization of corporate credit unions, mortgage cram-downs and the Community Reinvestment act all are critical issues facing credit unions and CEOs as we ply our way through this challenging economy.

Integrating Payroll Service and 401(k) Plans Makes Sense

The NCUA's recent approval of payroll services as a permitted service will help credit unions be even more competitive in the small business market

STAKING OUT THE STATS

The day after the NCUA explained its actions to conserve U.S. Central and WesCorp, Callahan and Associates held a Webinar that was highly critical of NCUA's actions

PEOPLE

Teachers Federal Credit Union, Farmingville, N.Y., announced that Christopher B. Wegla has been named assistant vice president-risk management.

Long-Time CU Supporter Vel?zquez Underscores Need for Lending Flexibility

By Michelle A. Samaad

If credit unions ever need a Washington ally ready to stand behind their ongoing efforts to ease business lending restraints, that go-to person would arguably be Rep. Nydia M. Vel?zquez (D-N.Y.).

Visa Announces Plans to Build on Current Card Security Approach

By David Morrison

WASHINGTON -- Visa USA executives have announced plans to build upon security standards.

There's No Excuse Not to Get Your Credit Union on The Book

By Lindsey Siegriest

Facebook: the place where today's youth go to connect with friends and the place where smart businesses go to advertise.

DONATIONS

Robbins Federal Credit Union, Warner Robins, Ga., members and employees raised $21,350 for the Credit Union Legislative Action