Credit Union Times Magazine April-29, 2009

Small CUs Object to Merger Talk

By Heather Anderson

Small credit unions told Credit Union Times they take exception to industry leaders who discuss consolidation and mergers as a solution for industry losses.

Proposed Student Loan Regulation May Spill Over and Impact Other Lending

By Lindsey Siegriest

New regulation proposals by the Obama administration could potentially put credit unions using student lending programs to capture Gen Y in a compliance crunch,

Credit Union System Woes Are Taking Their Financial Toll on the NCUSIF

By Claude R. Marx

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The NCUSIF's reserve balance was $5.2 billion last month, including an increase of $1.2 billion in losses for the corporate credit unions,

Stabilization Plan and Cram-Downs Float in Limbo as Trades Butt Heads

By Claude R. Marx

Internal bickering in the Senate is causing a delay in the consideration of the NCUA's plan to create a stabilization fund for corporate credit unions and an effort to allow bankruptcy judges to rewrite the terms of mortgages.

House Panel Approves Card Measure

By Claude R. Marx

The House Financial Services Committee last Wednesday approved a measure to put additional restrictions on credit unions and other credit card issuers.

Bank Failures Spur CU Business Growth

By Jim Rubenstein

The steady stream of bank failures this year-25 in all-continues to boost deposit and loan business for credit unions

Many Conferences Morph as Credit Union Travel Budgets Get the Ax

By Jim Rubenstein

There was more bad news last week for credit union meetings and travel.

N.C.'s Summit Credit Union Solicits 'Affiliate' CU Mergers

By Jim Rubenstein

While every business is seeking out economies of scale, the $117 million Summit Credit Union of Greensboro, N.C.,

Membership Growth, Not Mergers, Could Fluctuate on NCUSIF Assessments

By Michelle A. Samaad

The squeeze on credit and efforts to emerge from an economic downturn may drive more mergers this year than the fallout from the NCUSIF assessments.

After Six Years, Illinois CUs Win $6.2 Million as Fee-Sweep Suit Settled

By Jim Rubenstein

At the culmination of nearly six years of litigation, Illinois credit unions will soon be recipients of $6.2 million

Targeting Denver, Security Service FCU Takes In Aurora Catholic

By Jim Rubenstein

In expanding its Denver footprint, Security Service Federal Credit Union in San Antonio said last week it is merging the $13.7 million

Attleboro CU Merges With HarborOne

By Jim Rubenstein

In a consolidation on the drawing board for months, the $1.7 billion HarborOne Credit Union of Brockton, Mass., announced last week a merger with the $88 million Nations-Heritage FCU of Attleboro.

National Credit Union Youth Week Spotlights 'The Magic of Saving'

Credit unions from across the nation once again celebrated National Credit Union Youth Week, April 19-25.

CUs Report Nearly 100% First-Quarter Mortgage Increase Over Last Year

By Heather Anderson

First-quarter 2009 mortgage loan volume is up, according to credit unions, with many reporting nearly double the originations compared to last year's same quarter.

Home Price Index Reports 3% February Decline And Integrated Asset Sees No Uptick in Sigh

By Heather Anderson

U.S. home prices fell 3.0% in February, according to the Denver-based Integrated Asset Services monthly IAS360 House Price Index.

Filson, CUs Disappointed With Lack of PIMCO Report Specifics

By Heather Anderson

The April 17 release of the NCUA's PIMCO summary was a disappointment to those hoping for specific information about which corporates were responsible for what percentage of the system's $5.9 billion worth of charges to the share insurance fund.

Carolina Postal CU Unveils Umbrella Woman Logo

By Lindsey Siegriest

Carolina Postal Credit Union gave the credit union umbrella man a makeover in honor of the credit union's 75th anniversary.

FIS Announces Deal With Western Union on Remittance Service

By David Morrison

The more than 2,000 credit unions that have a relationship with Fidelity National Information Services will be able to offer their members remittance and wire services through Western Union,

Beating Airlines, Credit Card Programs Prove to Be the Most Rewarding

By David Morrison

For the first time ever, more U.S. consumers participate in rewards programs tied to their credit and debit cards than participate in airlines' rewards, according to a business research firm.

CU Offers Free R?sum?s

By Lindsey Siegriest

Genisys Credit Union is assisting its out-of-work members by offering a free r?sum? printing service. Through May 31, the credit union will make seven copies of a member's resume for them to send out or take on an interview.

SAC FCU Rebrands by Taking on Banks and Showing Softer Military Side

By Jim Rubenstein

This spring the $355 million SAC Federal Credit Union launched a rebranding venture already getting positive public feedback for contrasting CUs and banks, plus industry attention for its softer military tone.

Students Work Hard and Reap Rewards With DuPont Goodrich FCU

By Myriam DiGiovanni

A simple reward system is drawing a young crowd to DuPont Goodrich Federal Credit Union.

Lack of Accounting Guidance Irritates CUs

By Heather Anderson

NCUSIF premium and impairment charges, and a lack of accounting guidance from the NCUA on how to record them on 5300 reports, continues to be an challenge for credit unions.

Will Corporate Holdouts Sign The New Share Guarantee LUA?

By Heather Anderson

Were the revisions made to the NCUA's Corporate Credit Union Share Guarantee Program enough to convince the four holdout corporates to sign on?

Chartway FCU Drops Credit Card Rates as Big-Bank Cards Meltdown

By David Morrison

The $1.2 billion Chartway Federal Credit Union has decided to promote its own credit card program while big bank issuers are losing ground.

Stock Sales Help PSCU Post Largest Dividend

PCSU Financial Services has announced a dividend for its member credit unions of $45.4 million, an amount it claims is the largest dividend from any CUSO ever.

Alvin Jordan, Ex-League Stalwart, Passes at 101

Alvin W. Jordan, the former president/CEO of the Iowa Credit Union League, died April 18. He was 101.

Harvard University Employees CU Launches Graduate Loan Program

By Lindsey Siegriest

Harvard University Employees Credit Union created a custom loan program with Harvard University for students at all 13 of Harvard's graduate schools.

Addison Avenue FCU Ties Earth Day to Solar Loan Program

By Lindsey Siegriest

Protecting the environment has become a part of everyday life. From using reusable grocery bags to driving a hybrid car people are folding environment preservation into everyday activities.

Personalizing Cards Opens Pathways to Different Areas of CU Membership

By David Morrison

Credit unions have begun to adopt credit and debit card personalization to attract a broader range of their membership to the products.

Despite the Arid Economy, Some CUs Are Hoping Green Loans Take Root

By Heather Anderson

Despite a slow economy and lukewarm results, eco-friendly 'green loans' are still a trend worth chasing for some credit unions.

Get More Than You Pay for Out of Volunteers

By Sarah Snell Cooke

Now is a scary time to be involved in any type of corporate governance. Finger-pointing opportunities abound and liability for mistakes or even what appeared to be solid decisions just six months before can turn around and bite you.

Trust Is the Key in Financial Services, No Matter the Age

The past six months have been an economic roller coaster. Public perceptions of the financial industry have been changing rapidly.

The Real Fear in This Economy Is How CUs Prepare for the Recovery

Let's be honest-most of the time during the current recession, most credit unions have been able to stand on the sidelines without being too directly impacted.

PEOPLE

By David Morrison

FedChoice Federal Credit Union, Washington, announced that Gail Sanders, membership ambassador for FedChoice Federal Credit Union,

Corporate Fall Out Forces Look at Conversion

The results from the latest Credit Union Times online voting poll showed that the U.S. Central and WesCorp conservatorships are forcing credit unions to take hard look at their future.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Founders Federal Credit Union, Lancaster, S.C., sponsored the McDonald Green Elementary School's PTO meeting. Hot dogs were sold for donations, which went directly to the McDonald PTO to help fund projects.