Credit Union Times Magazine February 22, 2012

CU Credit Card Programs Are Poised to Shine

By David Morrison

While it remains too early to declare victory, there are signs that credit union credit cards are poised to move from the background of credit union lending to take a position closer to the spotlight, according to industry card specialists.

Liquidity Regs Battle Lines Are Drawn

By Robert McGarvey

Are your credit union’s pockets deep enough to satisfy the NCUA?

AEA Loan Officer Found Guilty

By Michelle A. Samaad

After a two-week trial that included several witnesses testifying against each other, a jury found William Liddle, a former loan officer at AEA Federal Credit Union, guilty of several counts of fraud and money laundering.

Supplemental Capital Bill Introduced

By Claude R. Marx

Credit unions could accept supplemental capital that wouldn’t be insured by NCUSIF and would be subordinated to other claims, according to provisions of a bill introduced by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.).

U.S. Central ACH Hike Causes Run for the Exits

By Robert McGarvey

Many worried credit union eyes now are on July 1, the date when the NCUA has said it will bump up ACH fees for U.S. Central Bridge customers by 80%. That looming price hike has triggered a quick rush to the exits as corporates and their members race for alternatives.

Predatory Lending Relief From Detroit CU

By Michelle A. Samaad

When it comes to buying a car, many members of Communicating Arts Credit Union face choices limited to buy-here-pay-here lots with some rates as high as 20% or more.

Editor’s Column: Cash Mobs Bring Out the Good, Hostility the Bad

By Sarah Snell Cooke

Credit unions are financial pillars of their respective communities. They are small businesses. Many credit unions serve small businesses and are looking for ways to start or beef up business lending programs.

Philly CUSO Reaches $100 Million

By Michelle A. Samaad

With a 56% expansion in its business-lending portfolio last year, American Heritage Federal Credit Union is proving that growth is possible despite the odds.

Tax Season Aid and Loans Abound at CUs

By Natasha Chilingerian

Tax season can be a daunting time of year for credit union members. Some, who view their annual refund as a much-needed source of extra cash, want to maximize their refund opportunities. Others, who owe taxes, may be wondering how they’ll afford payments. To ensure the process runs smoothly regardless...

Charter Oak FCU Named Mortgage Leader

By David Morrison

A second credit union has been formally recognized as a mortgage leader in its community.

Kern Schools FCU’s Financials Shine

By Natasha Chilingerian

After a net loss of $12.8 million in 2010, the $1.2 billion Kern Schools Federal Credit Union in Bakersfield, Calif., declared 2011 its best year for financial performance since 2007. The CU announced a net income of $22.4 million for 2011 and a net worth ratio that jumped from 4.31%...

With Fannie and Freddie Changes Afoot, Maryland CU Prepares

By David Morrison

The 44,000-member, $540 million National Institutes of Health Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Rockville, Md., has been working to prepare its housing finance program for whatever the federal government may choose to do with the two giant mortgage entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

P2P Breakout Awaits

By Robert McGarvey

You don’t need cash to buy a box of Girl Scouts’ Thin Mints from David Cale, CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union.

Mobile Bill Pay Demand Is the Future

By Robert McGarvey

Imagine paying your house payment while riding in a double decker bus in London or making your Visa payment while waiting for a plane.

Mobile Glut Is Still Far Off

By Marc Rapport

Few people have ridden the growing wave of mobile banking – or perhaps helped drive it – more than Drew Sievers.

Sen. Bachus Denies Charges

By Claude R. Marx

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) predicted that he would be cleared of charges that he violated insider trading laws.

Md. Student Branch Opens

The school store at Edgewood High School in Harford County, Md., now shares its space with APG Federal Credit Union’s first student-run branch. APGFCU, based in Aberdeen, in partnership with the Edgewood High School/Academy of Finance, officially opened the doors of its new Ram Branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this...

Letter to the Editor: The Time Is Right for Secondary Capital

Credit unions have worked very hard over the past few years and have seemingly come through the worst economic times since the Great Depression. We as an industry are still able to say that we did not need the government to bail us out, and that credit unions are still...

Guest Opinion: Long-Term Benefits Funding Requires a Strategy

In its publication of Rule 701.19 (April 2003), the NCUA recognized the need for credit unions to attract and retain key value creators in order to succeed, and their need for competitive options in financing such attraction and retention programs.

Guest Opinion: As Mobile Matures, Time Is Now for Your CU

As mobile banking has matured over the last year or so, new features such as P2P and apps make this feature a must-have for credit unions looking to attract new members of any age.

Bluepoint Is Moving to Vegas

Following a year touted for what it called spectacular growth, Check 21 specialist Bluepoint Solutions is preparing to move from its Southern California home to a new headquarters in the Las Vegas area.

Larry Wilson Retiring From Costal FCU

Larry Wilson will retire this year after 38 years as general manager and then president/CEO of what has become the $2 billion Coastal Federal Credit Union.

Utah CU Finishes Landmark Renovation

Cyprus Credit Union is Utah’s oldest credit union and has been serving members since 1928. In the early years, Cyprus was run from board members’ homes and Kennecott Copper offices. In 1959, Cyprus Credit Union moved into its first formal office on Main Street in Magna, Utah.

CEO Linda Cupit Retires

After 31 years of dedicated service, Linda Cupit, president/CEO at Sabine Federal Credit Union, has retired.

Vt. Business Lending Regs May Change

Credit unions in Vermont could see several changes to the state’s credit union business lending regulation.

Mo. Names Commission Members

Richard Orr and Susie Venable have been confirmed as members of the Credit Union Commission following a hearing for the Missouri Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee.