Credit Union Times Magazine July 6, 2011

Assessment Prepayment Plan Gets Tepid Support

By Arthur D. Postal

Credit unions and their trade groups appear to be voicing support for the NCUA plan to allow credit unions to prepay some of the cost of the bailout of corporate credit unions.

Good Faith + Care = 21 Cents

By Claude R. Marx

Credit unions got a bit of good news when the Federal Reserve reversed itself and announced that debit interchange fees will be capped at 21 cents a transaction, up from the original proposal of 12 cents, with a 1 cent fee for fraud prevention and a five basis point allowance...

Online Security: Tough New Standards Touted by Matz

By Marc Rapport

Beginning next year, NCUA examiners will expect credit unions to be following a tougher new set of guidelines for securing online banking and money transfers.

Government Mortgage Support Urged by CU Leaders

By Claude R. Marx

NAFCU and CUNA are urging lawmakers to ensure that there is some federal guarantee in the secondary mortgage market but differ on how to achieve it.

Director, at 101 With New Bride, Retires

By Jim Rubenstein

At 101 and with a recent bride, Harry Hahn, director of Erie Federal Credit Union in Erie, Pa., has certainly earned the right to rest on his laurels a bit when it comes to industry service.

Card Patent Infringement Charge Against CUSOs and CUs

By Natasha Chilingerian

Two credit union service organizations and three credit unions were among defendants named on June 23 in a patent lawsuit brought by London-based technology vendor Serverside Group.

Defense CUs Gain High Praise From Army Comptroller

By Claude R. Marx

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Army's top financial official thanked credit unions for their service to the military but warned that cuts in the defense budget could reduce their customer base.

Corporate Recapitalization Ramps Up Peer Pressure on CUs

By Robert McGarvey

Sundie Seefried , the CEO of Partner Colorado Credit Union, is sick of it and made it plain that she for one is not going to take the blame for hurting small credit unions.

Trade PACs Reward Lawmakers

By Claude R. Marx

During the first five months of 2011, CUNA’s political action committee received $502,266 in contributions toward its efforts to influence the outcome of political campaigns, and NAFCU’s fundraising efforts netted $53,669, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

CEOs’ Corner: Polish & Slavic CEO Looks for Growth

By David Morrison

For Polish-born Oskar Mielczarek, the new CEO of the 72,000-member, $1.4 billion Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, taking the helm at the CU means helping Polish & Slavic balance its traditional leadership and service role in the Polish-American community with the need to evolve into a 21st century financial...

Checking Imaging Becomes a Competitive Edge

By David Morrison

One the executives whose work helped establish check imaging in the U.S. warns that more credit unions need to pick up the technology or risk a competitive disadvantage with banks.

Editor’s Column: Tell Us What You Think

By Sarah Snell Cooke

What do our loyal Credit Union Times readers want from us? What would it take for you to recommend Credit Union Times to your colleagues?

Card Compliance Method Boosted as Inexpensive

By Bill Nuti

I hear a number of concerns from credit unions today: external forces such as slowing loan growth, squeezed margins, evidence of compliance and financial regulation bills are challenging business as they look for new ways to drive growth.

Crash Network: Google Wallet Ups the Ante

By Ken Gardner

Credit unions talk a lot about gaining share of wallet. So when Google recently announced its new mobile payment system, branded Google Wallet, this got me thinking about what happens when our member’s wallets go virtual? For some, the idea of using your cell phone to check out at the...

Letter: Pa. League Committed to iBelong

By Jim McCormack

This letter is in response to the article on Pennsylvania’s credit union awareness, iBelong campaign [cutimes.com, June 23].

Letter: Good Board Governance

By Dennis McCuistion

Henry Wirz wrote an excellent letter regarding the fallacy of term limits for credit union directors [CU Times, June 8, page 11]. He made the argument that there were better ways to select and replace directors in credit unions and that one of those better ways was a good evaluation...

Bethpage CEO on Power List for Fourth Time

By Marc Rapport

For the fourth consecutive year, Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s president/CEO has been named to the “Power List” as one of the “50 Most Influential Long Islanders of 2011” by the Long Island Press.

STCU Credit Union Names Ostrowski New CEO

STCU Credit Union has tapped 30-year banking veteran Michael Ostowski as its new president/CEO.

QR Codes Are Easy, Cheap and Cool

By Myriam DiGiovanni

Is the latest marketing buzz around quick response codes indicative of a growing trend or just the latest fad?

Segmentation Can Align Online Offerings

By Myriam DiGiovanni

For credit unions and banks vying to be the primary financial institution, understanding and delivering products and services based on consumers’ needs has always been a priority.

CMOs Are Becoming Change Agents

By Myriam DiGiovanni

As the challenges faced by marketers continue to rise, so do their responsibilities.