Credit Union Times Magazine November-18, 2009

NCUA Board Meeting to Discuss Corporate Rules and the Agency's 2010 Budget

By Claude R. Marx

At its second to last meeting of the year on Nov. 19, the NCUA Board is scheduled to issue its long-awaited proposed rules for revamping the structure of the corporate credit union system. The meeting will crunch some numbers for the agency's 2010 budget.

CFPA, State Powers Are Bones Of Contention in Dodd Plan

By Claude R. Marx

Credit unions dodged a big bullet but still face potential additional regulatory burdens under the bill to revamp the way financial services are regulated unveiled last week by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.).

CUNA Survey Shows CUs Dissatisfied With Auto Remarketing Results

By Lindsey Siegriest

A recent CUNA survey on the liquidation of vehicle repossessions found that credit unions are dedicating a significant number of hours each month to processing repossessed vehicles and are not happy with the results they are seeing.

Board, Management to Stay at Ravaged Constitution Corporate

By Heather Anderson

The $1.3 billion Constitution Corporate Federal Credit Union is still operating with its own management and board but under the "close supervision" of the NCUA because investments losses have depleted all capital and then some.

North Island Counts On Tippets

By Jim Rubenstein

The troubled $1.45 billion North Island Financial of San Diego moved to help restore financial health by bringing veteran industry figure, former American Airlines FCU CEO John Tippets out of retirement to become its new president/CEO.

Mich. Merger Looks to Grow

By Jim Rubenstein

Marking a change in the Michigan credit union landscape for next year, two of the state's largest, the $839 million NuUnion of Lansing and the $639 million Detroit Edison of Plymouth,

USAlliance CUSO Exec Pleads Guilty

By Michelle A. Samaad

John Walsh, who served as chief financial officer of Affina Brokerage Services LLC, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $2.5 million from USAlliance Federal Credit Union, which owns the subsidiary.

Best Practices Drives Business Lending CUSO Alliance Creation

By Michelle A. Samaad

During a conversation at a NACUSO meeting in 2005, Bill Beardsley and Keith Reed found that they had many things in common.

Central States Settlement Reached for $72 Million in Claims

By Jim Rubenstein

Southeast Wisconsin credit unions that lost millions in the March bankruptcy of Central States Mortgage Co., a CU-owned CUSO, have reached a settlement allowing them to recover claims totaling $72 million.

CUSO Issues Dividend

CU Alliance LLC, a CUSO holding company, said it has issued a dividend payment between 4% and 15% to its owners.

CU Finds Opportunity In Breaking News

By David Morrison

For Donna LoStocco and the leadership the $1.9 billion Affinity Federal Credit Union, national news headlines are opportunities to educate both Affinity members and the world at large about the advantages the credit union offers.

Credit Union CDs Are Now a Wisconsin College Savings Plan Option

By Lindsey Siegriest

Wisconsin consumers looking to save for their children's education can now put their money in a credit union CD that is part of the state's college savings plan.

Take the Time to Make the Most of Open Enrollment, Expert Says

By Myriam DiGiovanni

Is your credit union making the most of open enrollment?

Advisers Prefer Fewer Provider Visits, Says Survey

By Michelle A. Samaad

Investment advisers at credit unions and CUSOs are familiar with the litany of visits, e-mails and calls from providers,

In Wake of Calif. Budget Cuts, Altura Offers Furlough Loan Program

By Myriam DiGiovanni

As state colleges and universities have asked employees to take unpaid days during the school year to help rein in their budgets,

WhereMembersDrive.com Offers Two New Service

Colorado credit unions that partner with WhereMembersDrive.com can now post recently repossessed cars for their members to purchase, and members can also list their personal used cars for sale to other members.

Corning FCU Among Top SBA Lenders

For its lending efforts over the past year, the SBA has named Corning Federal Credit Union the top small community lender in the Syracuse, N.Y. district.

Members Coop Foundation Puts Youth in the Driver's Seat

By Myriam DiGiovanni

Twenty-one-year-old Kelly Splonskowski had heard of credit unions but wasn't motivated to become part of one until Members Cooperative Credit Union launched its Community Youth Foundation.

A+ Federal CU Financial Education: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

By Myriam DiGiovanni

What could be better than helping to breathe life into members' dreams?

Agency: Can You Hear Me?

Brand strategy and creative agency ADRENALINE, Inc. has a new look and feel online. In a bid to live up to its tagline "Brand Loud + Clear,",

FORUM Basks in Success of SaveItUp Program and Gears Up for Next Year

By Myriam DiGiovanni

FORUM Credit Union has been helping consumers create their own "financial expression" through its SaveItUp program.

Texas CU Foundation Builds a Network to Teach Financial Planning

By Myriam DiGiovanni

The Texas Credit Union Foundation revised the existing National Endowment for Financial Education's high school financial planning program in 2006.

Matz Promises Flexibility

By Claude R. Marx

Conceding that it is a "fine balance," NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz told two key lawmakers that the agency is modifying its examination standards to give credit unions more flexibility while being certain that safety and soundness standards are being met.

Credit Union Times Wants Your 2010 Events

Credit Union Times is getting ready for 2010. It's never too early to submit an event listing for our online event calendar.

Federation Hopes Seminar Helps Start Conversation About the Underserved

By David Morrison

The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions will sponsor what is it has called an "intensive seminar" on the Community Reinvestment Act and the NCUA's data collection

Sharetec Systems Signs Hereford Texas Federal Credit Union

By Marc Rapport

Sharetec Systems Inc. has converted Hereford Texas Federal Credit Union to its service bureau core processing platform, the company and credit union said.

FIRST ROI Claims 275 Contracts

By Marc Rapport

More than 275 community financial institutions, including 84 credit unions, have signed up for FIRST ROI's INMO online account opening system in the six months since it's been launched, the company said.

The Wisdom of Maintaining the Divide Between Managing and Governance

Do you believe that micromanaging is counterproductive? That directing the CEO's employees is inappropriate? And that it is important to use members' money wisely?

CUs Donate to Fort Hood Victims

By Jim Rubenstein

Credit union donations to help the victims and families of the Fort Hood shooting massacre were starting to pour in from across Texas and the U.S. last week with special accounts set up by foundations and individual CUs.

NuMark CU Trains In-School Student Tellers

NuMark Credit Union started its state-sponsored bank at school program by training four students to be tellers.

State League On-Site Compliance Visits Undergo Surge

By Jim Rubenstein

State leagues are witnessing a surge in doctor house calls, so to speak.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Point Loma Credit Union, Palm Desert, Calif., hosted a kid's art display for autism awareness. The art show, which debuted at the credit union,

PEOPLE

GFA Federal Credit Union, Gardner, Mass., announced the appointment of Andrew Boucher to its board of directors.

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Steps Up to Aid Local Health Care

By Myriam DiGiovanni

As the health care reform debate rages on, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union has recently taken action to help ensure underserved locals have access to health care.

CU Extends Help Finding Tax Refund Holders

North Carolina's State Employees' Credit Union stepped in last week when the IRS issued an alert seeking help distributing $123.5 million in refunds that were returned to the agency.

Mid-Hudson Valley Co-Founder Passes

Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union is mourning the loss of co-founder Robert Strini who died at the age of 74.

Trades Increase Lobby Expenditures

By Claude R. Marx

With Congress actively pursuing regulatory reform, credit cards restrictions and further regulations on overdraft charges, among other subjects,

Literacy Helps Members and Your CU

Financial literacy is not one of our nation's strong points. Our current financial crisis resulted from consumers' biting off more than they could chew--whether it was a mortgage,

Members Are Hungry for Information

Times are tough. Like it or not, we are in a recession. Burying our heads in the sand when many of our members are hurting in not a smart move.

A Salute to Credit Unions

By Sarah Snell Cooke

The recent Veterans Day holiday marked the cessation of combat in The Great War in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Matz: I Am Committed to Supervision of All Aspects of Lending

A recent letter from a third-party vendor mischaracterized my position on indirect lending and NCUA's role in supervising that activity at credit unions [CU Times, Nov. 4, page 16].