Credit Union Times Magazine November 2, 2011

TDR Tracking, Demanded by NCUA, Makes CUs Bristle

By David Morrison

Credit unions by and large have been seen as the good guys in the ongoing housing finance crisis. In general, more conservative underwriting prevented most credit unions from making the mortgage loans that were most likely to wind up delinquent.

Occupy Protesters Ousted From Parks Vow to Regroup

By Michelle A. Samaad

As mayors in at least two cities shut down areas that were being used to protest, Occupy organizers have said the moves will not deter their efforts.

NCUA Nominee Decker Faces Political Gauntlet

By Claude R. Marx

The NCUA is a low-profile agency, but that may not prevent the nomination of Carla M. Decker from getting caught up in pre-election political wrangling.

PMI Mortgage Insurance Seized by Arizona Regulator

By David Morrison

The State of Arizona moved in last week to assume control of PMI Mortgage Insurance, one of the two shareholding companies of CUNA Mutual Group Mortgage Insurance, the leading mortgage insurer for credit unions in the U.S.

CUSO Reg Comment Letters Swamp NCUA

By Michelle A. Samaad

The NCUA will likely have much to consider as it reads through more than 280 comment letters that came in on the agency’s proposal to amend the CUSO rule.

Mortgage Refinancing Plan Unveiled by Obama

By Claude R. Marx

Saying that it hopes to help several million more families save money while helping the economy, the Obama administration on Oct. 24 unveiled a multifaceted plan to encourage the refinancing of mortgages.

Starbucks CEO Spearheads Grassroots Lending Plan

By Michelle A. Samaad

For Starbucks Chairman/ CEO Howard Schultz, “waiting for Washington” to come up with tangible plans to generate more jobs is not a likely course of action these days.

CEO Urges House Panel to Change SBA, Hike MBL Cap

By Claude R. Marx

Credit unions could make more loans if the Small Business Administration streamlines its loan approval and evaluation processes and Congress raises the cap on member business loans, Corning FCU President/CEO Gary Grinnell told a House panel.

Wings Financial Names New CEO

By Michelle A. Samaad

After reviewing 100 candidates, Wings Financial Credit Union has selected R. Frank Weidner as its next president/CEO.

Smartphone App Boosts Loan Completion Rates

By Natasha Chilingerian

The 550 credit unions that subscribe to loanliner.com, CUNA Mutual Group’s online lending platform, allow members to manage their applications for consumer and home equity loans via the Web.

NCUSIF Health Is Stable

By Claude R. Marx

The NCUSIF’s equity ratio remained at 1.31% for the third consecutive month in September, according to a report to the NCUA board by the agency’s chief financial officer Mary Ann Woodson at its Oct. 27 meeting.

Perception and Reality Will Shape Decker’s Fate

By Sarah Snell Cooke

The Obama administration announced on Oct. 21 the nomination of Carla M. Decker, CEO of District Government Employees FCU, to replace NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland, whose term has expired.

Letter: Goodbye to Constitution Corporate

By Denise LaRosa

Before the memory of Constitution Corporate FCU is reduced to the result of a random Internet search, the one-year anniversary of its conservatorship was a time to reflect on a day that continues to impact a small but dedicated staff that served their members for more than 30 years.

Letter: Ensure Due Diligence in Conversion Bids

By Richard Garabedian

Chuck Bruen’s letter [Oct. 12, page 30] prompted by the announcement of Technology Credit Union’s intention to convert to a thrift charter, made a number of excellent points and should be thoughtfully considered by all credit union executives and trade groups.

Letter: On Conversions and Debit Fees

By Dan Leclerc

I just finished your editor’s column in the Oct. 12 issue ["BofA, Tech CU Are Not the Enemy"], and I must say you hit the nail on the head.

Changing Security Environment Changes Risks

By Gerald Gagne

Credit unions confront a very challenging operating environment today. They face strong member demand for many cutting-edge financial products and intense competition from other financial institutions.

Crash Network: Excellence the Steve Jobs Way

By Harmony Paulley

Reflecting upon the life of Steve Jobs, I’ve thought about what the credit union industry can learn from the many great things said and accomplished by the man who helped build Apple.

Rookie CU Off to a Fast Start

By Marc Rapport

After seven months in operation, Chippewa Eagle Federal Credit Union in Mount Pleasant, Mich., has reached the $2 million mark and is nearing a thousand members, the credit union and its core processor said.

CO-OP Offers Miracle Match for 2012

By Marc Rapport

Applications are now being accepted for matching grants from CO-OP Financial Services for the 2012 CO-OP Miracle Match program benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Card CUSO Gets Custom License

By Natasha Chilingerian

United Solutions Co., a Tallahassee, Fla.-based CUSO, has been granted a U.S. card customization patent license and dismissed from a group of defendants in a lawsuit filed in June by London-based technology vendor Serverside Group, the vendor said.

Sweepstakes Signups at PSCU

By Marc Rapport

The 135 credit unions that participated in PSCU Financial Services’ summer bill pay sweepstakes saw an overall 15% increase in new subscribers and 14% increase in activations, the company said.

No Fees for Life at Bethpage FCU

By Marc Rapport

A lifetime of no debit, maintenance, minimum balance or foreign ATM charges awaits new members who open checking accounts at the $4.2 billion Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

Mobile Banking at Horizons North CU

The 8,100 members of $67 million Horizons North Credit Union in Northglenn, Colo., can now bank on their mobile phones.

Business Loans on the Rise

By Michelle A. Samaad

Financing from credit unions and small, regional banks are on the rise, according to one firm.

Delinquencies With Empathy at Grow Financial

By David Morrison

If you are one of the roughly 31,000 members of the $1.7 billion Grow Financial Federal Credit Union who is a few days late paying your credit card payment, expect a call from Donna Svehla’s department.

Effective Collections Require Listening Skills

By David Morrison

One of the first things many credit unions may need to do when collecting on delinquent credit card accounts might be to resolve to simply start doing it.

Wisconsin Home to Borrowers With Highest Credit Scores

By David Morrison

For the second consecutive year, consumers in the upper Midwest lead the nation with the highest credit scores.

Debit Fee Helped Make the Radio Star

By David Morrison

Recently, I had the experience of sitting on the other side of an interview.

Collections Outsourcing Aims to Keep the Human Touch

By David Morrison

While launching and managing a collections program for any type of loan can be a challenge, some credit unions, regardless of size, may view outsourcing as a viable and efficient solution.