Credit Union Times Magazine March-24, 2010

Sen. Dodd's Prescription for Reg Reform Is a Mixed Blessing for CUs

By Claude R. Marx

WASHINGTON -- For credit unions, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd's proposed regulatory overhaul is both the best of bills and the worst of bills.

Texas League to Launch Paydays

By David Morrison

Fifty-four Texas credit unions will soon have a turnkey payday loan alternative product thanks to the National Credit Union Foundation's REAL Solutions program and the Texas Credit Union League.

Bringing Small Businessman's Madcap Story to the Big Screen

By Michelle A. Samaad

The shaky timing behind the launch of a green cleaning business in North Carolina amid a stagnant economy serves as the backdrop of a new film conceived by the Latino Community Credit Union.

First Tech-Addison Merger Sets Stage for More, Forecasts Dollar

By Jim Rubenstein

Mergers like the big First Tech-Addison Avenue combination seem certain to become more prevalent in the next 18 to 24 months, according to former NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar.

NACUSO Kicks Off Its First Regional Collaboration Meeting

By Michelle A. Samaad

More than 30 credit union and CUSO representatives recently showed up for NACUSO's first regional meeting near Washington to talk shop about collaboration strategies to help fuel growth and sustainability.

Abrams Joins San Diego Metro but Has Unfinished Kaiperm Business

By Heather Anderson

Stan Abrams was named San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union interim president/CEO this month, replacing Joseph Schroeder, who is now president/CEO of the $483 million Ventura County Credit Union.

Bagman for TJX Hacker Gonzalez Is Sentenced to Prison and Fined

By David Morrison

While Albert Gonzalez, the convicted ringleader of a major hacking operation that cost credit unions millions of dollars,

Washington Governor Signs New Public Funds Bill Into Law

By Jim Rubenstein

Washington State credit unions have scored a legislative victory in 2010 by winning the right to accept public funds starting in July of next year.

Student Lending May Become Crippled By Health Care Legislative Maneuvers

By Claude R. Marx

Though credit unions aren't directly involved in the health care debate, due to some parliamentary maneuvering they are likely to lose the ability to offer certain student loans.

Missouri Credit Unions 'Blindsided' by Highway Agency Ordered Closings

By Jim Rubenstein

To hear the lament of the Missouri Credit Union Association, it was a "bolt out of the blue" when the state highway agency last week notified 10 small credit unions that they must vacate their offices by Sept. 30.

North Carolina CU Bikers Undertake Tough Race to Support Troops

By Jim Rubenstein

A group of hardy North Carolina credit union executives and their families are doing their bit to support the troops this

Corporate One Offers New Broker-Dealer

Corporate One Federal Credit Union has begun offering investment products and other securities-related services from Pleasant Ridge, Mich.-based broker-dealer Multi-Bank Securities Inc.

PCS Offering IRD Solution

Palmetto Cooperative Services LLC is now offering image return document printing solutions in response to the continued consolidation of Federal Reserve Bank services.

NCUA Proposes Stiffer Regs for Volunteers and Less RegFlex

By Claude R. Marx

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The NCUA Board issued three proposed regulations concerning board member indemnity and mutual savings bank conversions.

Filene's Debt Tool Off to Strong Start

Seven months since its debut, the Filene Research Institute said its Debt in Focus software tool has helped nearly 120,000 consumers across North America measure their debts and improve their financial fitness.

A Tool to Ease ATM Management

Smaller credit unions can now free up some more staff time from ATM management, thanks to a new tool from Morphis, a software firm specializing in cash management.

From Gen Y to WWII Vets, What's Changed (or Not) Over the Last 20 Years

By Sarah Snell Cooke

Credit Union Times is very proud of its heritage and where it is going.

Review of How the Corporate System Collapsed Is What's Needed

Stuart Perlitsh is wrong. He didn't face a Hobson's choice. He had plenty of other options rather than to file suit against the WesCorp directors.

Courting Boomers Is a Key Growth Strategy

What has more than 160 million legs and the power to change American culture? The baby boomers, that's who.

PEOPLE

First Capital Federal Credit Union, York, Pa., announced the hiring of Stanley Moore as the vice president of information technology.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Power Financial Credit Union, Pembroke Pines, Fla., announced its sponsorship of the Wings Over Homestead Air Show.

Boomer Fears on Health Care Costs May Put Credit Unions Out Front

By Michelle A. Samaad

Without a doubt, the most loyal members at USE Credit Union are those who have been around for decades and consider the cooperative not just their primary financial institution but the only one worthy of their business.

Where Are They Now?

Times have changed. Credit unions have changed. And, of course, people working within the industry have changed.

Gordon Dames Takes His Experience to New Level

As its former CEO, Gordon Dames took Mountain America Credit Union from a cooperative grappling with a $560,000 loss when he took the helm in 1991 to a $2.5 billion financial institution.

MacKinnon Remembers Crash Course on CUs

This is my 20th anniversary in the industry as well and it's not lost on me just how little I knew about credit unions that first morning at First Entertainment Credit Union

Asking 'The Colonel' For Corporate Advice

Richard Miles Johnson, who served as president/CEO of Western Corporate Federal Credit Union for 30 years until his 2002 retirement,

The Road From 'How May I Help You?' to 'Press One to Leave a Message'

By Eileen Courter

It's difficult to realize that 20 years have passed since my telephone rang and Mike Welch, who was about to launch a new publication called Credit Union Times, asked if I would serve as a correspondent.

Over the Course of 20 Years, Women See They Are Making Headway

By Lindsey Siegriest

Twenty years ago Marla Shepard was interviewed by Credit Union Times for an article (CU Times, May 7, 1990) on the challenges and struggles of female CEOs in the credit union industry.

Two Pillars of CU Card Industry Began in Conflict but Later Prospered

By David Morrison

In its first issue, Credit Union Times covered a conflict that resulted in the creation of two pillars of the credit union card world that are still around today.

Since 1990, ATMs Have Grown From Afterthought to Vital Retail Links

By David Morrison

While many aspects of the credit union business have changed since 1990, few have changed more than the placement, use and role of ATMs.

From a Bartering to More Multi-Owned Groups, CUSOs Continue to Morph

By Michelle A. Samaad

Prior to the early 1990s, the CUSO concept may have looked like this: a CEO of a small credit union picks up the phone to ask the CEO of a nearby, much larger peer for help with say, training.

Twenty Years Later, PSCU Offers Outreach at 10,000 Calls an Hour

By Marc Rapport

Twenty years ago, in the Credit Union Times inaugural issue,

Changes Over the Years in Student Lending Bring Opportunities for CUs

By Lindsey Siegriest

When thinking about college, education and financial aid over the past 20 years the first word that comes to mind is expensive.

AWARDS

CU Members Mortgage, Dallas, recognized five credit union partners for their achievements in their mortgage departments.

John McKechnie Spots The Parallels

In 1990 John McKechnie was director of political action at CUNA. Today he is director of the NCUA's office of public and congressional affairs.