Credit Union Times Magazine June 13, 2012

Credit, Debit Cards Gang Up to Dethrone Cash

By David Morrison

In what may have significant implications for ATM deployment and other aspects of credit union operations, a study from Javelin Strategy and Research has found that debit and credit cards have overtaken cash for the bulk of sales volume at the retail point of sale.

Corporate Capital Needs Reduced by Fed Program

By Heather Anderson

A temporary Federal Reserve program is quietly providing a cushion to corporate credit unions as they attempt to raise capital from members to meet NCUA regulatory requirements.

Telesis CUSO Shares Retained by NCUA

By Heather Anderson

The California Department of Financial Institutions liquidated the $301 million Telesis Community Credit Union of Chatsworth, Calif., June 1 and appointed the NCUA as liquidating agent. The $1.3 billion Premier America Credit Union of Chatsworth, Calif., which had been managing Telesis since mid-April, purchased and assumed Telesis’ members, deposits, core...

Bank ‘Zombie’ Accounts Blasted by Consumers Union

By Michelle A. Samaad

Last fall, 16 secret shoppers visiting branches at some of the nation’s biggest banks found out just how hard it was to close an account.

MBL Policy Updates Are Crucial, Say Experts

By Michelle A. Samaad

Ideally, one of the end-of-the-year items that should be checked off the list for credit unions with member business loan programs is a review of policy.

U.S. Senate FCU Lesson: Speed Is of the Essence in PR Crisis

By Myriam DiGiovanni

The importance of staying true to one’s brand, was recently made painfully clear with the fallout from U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union’s targeted loan ad featuring a buxom blonde’s cleavage.

Card Loyalty Programs Lag at Credit Unions

By David Morrison

A white paper published by Card Services for Credit Unions reported that only 50% of credit unions have loyalty or rewards programs attached to the credit or debit cards.

BECU’s Gaming App for Teens Is a Big Hit

By Natasha Chilingerian

BECU is stirring up competition among local high school students with a new pilot program: an educational app that contains three financial literacy games.

Retaining Committed Employees Should Be a Priority

By Eileen Courter

Hiring today sounds like a no-brainer. After all, despite signs of economic recovery, newspapers still report long lines of candidates at job fairs. Help wanted ads draw stacks of résumés and even more flow in online.

Kansas Regulator Offer MBL Reminders

By Michelle A. Samaad

While only a small percentage of Kansas’ credit unions offer member business loans, the Kansas Department of Credit Unions felt the need to issue a reminder bulletin after recently spotting a few violations.

Janus-Faced Bankers Seek to Rein In CUs: Editor's Column

By Sarah Snell Cooke

The bankers talk out of both sides of their mouths. As they endeavor to keep credit unions from expanding their business lending powers and reforming their 1930s capital structure, they also want to embody credit unions. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

CEOs’ Corner: Growth as Means to Help Members

By Eileen Courter

Growth can mean gaining bragging rights as membership and assets expand. But some say growth has to be measured not just in terms of member headcount and asset size but in terms of what the increases actually bring to the membership.

Guest Opinion: Executive Pay Question Need Real Answers

By Guy Collins

It seems that not a day goes by without a headline screaming about outrageous executive pay, with allegations of the fox robbing the henhouse and the inequities of compensation in our capitalistic society.

Scholarships from Credit Unions

By Staff Writer

Sharetec at Santa Fe FCU

By Marc Rapport

Data Systems of Texas said it plans to convert the $106 million Santa Fe Federal Credit Union in Amarillo, Texas, to the Sharetec core processing system on Jan. 1, the company said.

Xtend Sets a Call Record

By Marc Rapport

More than 25,000 calls and Web chats were recorded at Xtend Inc.’s contact center in April, a new record for the 10-year-old CUSO in Grand Rapids, Mich., the company said.

Ishpeming Community FCU Adds E-Signatures

By Marc Rapport

The 14,700 members of the $121 million Ishpeming Community Federal Credit Union in Ishpeming, Mich., will now be able to sign legal documents, such as lending applications, at their credit union online.

Q2ebanking Gains Pawtucket CU

By Marc Rapport

The $1.3 billion Pawtucket Credit Union in Pawtucket, R.I., will soon be using the Q2ebanking online banking suite, the Austin, Texas, company said.

Old Ocean FCU to Convert CU*BASE

By Marc Rapport

CU*South said it will be converting the $28 million, 4,000-member Old Ocean Federal Credit Union in Old Ocean, Texas, to the CU*BASE core processing system.

Vertifi Software Adds Two Clients

By Marc Rapport

Two more credit unions have signed up to offer the DeposZip mobile remote deposit capture service from EasCorp and its CUSO, Vertifi Software LLC.

Guest Opinion: Leadership Fundamentals

By Stuart R. Levine

The most successful leaders I know understand and live by fundamental leadership principles with both discipline and focus. They commit to continuous learning and strive to have their behaviors serve as a reflection of their values–setting the standards and expectations for others in their organization.

Deseret First Credit Union Names Shane London New CEO

By Marc Rapport

Deseret First Credit Union has named longtime executive Shane London as its new president/CEO, succeeding Clint Gurney, who is retiring after two years in the top job at the $420 million Salt Lake City credit union.

HealthNet FCU CEO to Retire; Bill Whitten Named

By Staff Writer

Mike Haggard, president/CEO of HealthNet Federal Credit Union, has announced his plans to retire in July. And the credit union’s board of directors has named William A. Whitten to succeed him.

Greater Alliance FCU Turns 75

By Staff Writer

Last month, Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union held its annual meeting with a 75th anniversary celebration. The guest list included the credit union’s first 100 members, U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, Paramus Mayor Richard LaBariera and State Assemblywoman Connie Wagner along with other dignitaries.

Callahan Expands Employee Ownership

By Staff Writer

Callahan & Associates last week announced an expansion of ownership as part of an ongoing strategy to evolve, support and develop new opportunities in the credit union system.

Alive Credit Union Jumps to Life

By Staff Writer

Healthcare’s Cooperative Credit Union has changed its name to Alive Credit Union.

Meriwest FCU Gains FHLB Affordable Housing Grant

By Staff Writer

The 87,000 member, $1 billion Meriwest Federal Credit Union, based in San Jose, Calif., has won a grant of $160,000 to help finance affordable housing in its community from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

In Memoriam: Leo C. Pike Jr., Fort Knox FCU Chairman

By Staff Writer

He was the credit union’s first active duty military member when membership was expanded to include military as well as civilians in 1960.

Tablet Banking Apps Added at PSECU

By Marc Rapport

The 388,000 members of the $4 billion Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union are now being offered two new mobile banking applications.

THINK 13 Prize Nominations Are Open

By David Morrison

CO-OP Financial Services announced that the entry period is now open for the CO-OP THINK Prize 13. Entrants have until Sept. 28 to complete round one applications and become eligible for the $10,000 grand prize sponsored by MasterCard.