Credit Union Times Magazine October-14, 2009

NCUA Is Rethinking P&A Rules

By Claude R. Marx

The NCUA is rethinking its role as the matchmaker of last resort for troubled credit unions.Because of the recession,

NCUA Offers Clarity on West Texas Merger Procedures

By Jim Rubenstein

The small spike in credit union mergers and consolidations this fall, some voluntary and others induced by regulators,

KV Votes to Keep Its Credit Union Charter

By David Morrison

After a long contest that heated up in its final days, the members of the $54 million KV Federal Credit Union have voted not to change their charter and merge with a local community bank.

San Diego Town Hall Hits Somber Notes

By Heather Anderson

SAN DIEGO -- Despite being staged in "America's Finest City," the NCUA's three-city Town Hall tour ended on a somber note here on Oct. 5.

Corporate Worries Trigger Iowa League's Plan to Buy Card Bank

By Jim Rubenstein

Concerned over the outcome of the NCUA's corporate restructuring, the Iowa Credit Union League disclosed a plan last week to buy an Arizona credit card bank to protect its smallest members against a run-up in costs.

NAFCU Is Downsizing Its Staff

By Claude R. Marx

In another indication of economy's impact on credit unions, NAFCU laid off three full-time employees, announced plans to eliminate a part-time position by the end of the year and eliminate another vacant position.

Educate and Integrate Online Tools to Get Gen Y Budgeting, Experts Say

By Lindsey Siegriest

It's no secret that Gen Y is an online generation that wants instant access to everything, including their financial institutions. The issue that credit unions should be looking at is what Gen Y is doing with that instant access.

At House Hearing, CU EVP Paints Interchange as a Matter of Survival

By Claude R. Marx

Credit unions and their allies clashed once again with merchants and consumer advocates over additional efforts to regulate interchange fees during last Thursday's hearing before the House Financial Services Committee.

Trades Raise PAC Money at Steady Pace

By Claude R. Marx

CUNA's political action committee has more than $700,000 in its coffers and NAFCU's PAC has more than $144,500, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission last month.

LSI Enhances Auto Loan Recapture

By Lindsey Siegriest

Lending Solutions Inc., a lending services consultant for financial institutions, announced a new addition to its auto loan recapture program, Recapture Pro.

Alabama Regulator Apologizes

By Jim Rubenstein

Under fire for the July 31 conservatorship of the $193 million Mutual Savings Credit Union, Alabama's

CUNA Mutual Hands Over LoanLink Center to CO-OP

By Lindsey Siegriest

Effective Oct. 31, CO-OP Financial Services will take over CUNA Mutual's LoanLink Center. The LoanLink Center is a 24 hour call center that offers member services and indirect lending for credit unions.

TNB Launches Card Marketing Web Site

By David Morrison

TNB Cards services has launched a Web site to help its client credit unions better market their credit and debit cards.

Visa Sets Best Practices for Encryption

By David Morrison

Visa USA has stepped out with a set of best practices that it has offered retailers to help them encrypt credit and debit card data in their systems.

NAFCU Wins Three Graphic Design Awards

NAFCU's marketing team was awarded three American Graphic Design Awards of Excellence by Graphic Design USA magazine.

Vantage Credit Union Plans Many Online Options for Multiple OMG Moments

By Myriam DiGiovanni

Vantage Credit Union is living up to its tagline "Go Bankless. Change your view of banking." With one tweet on Twitter, the St. Louis,

Young & Free Goes to Ala.

Developed by British Columbia-based Currency Marketing, Young & Free is a financial management program designed to engage 19-to-25-year-olds to effectively manage their money through a microsite (www.youngfreealabama.com),

NACUSO, Pepperdine Gear Up for Collaboration Certification Program Debut

By Michelle A. Samaad

NACUSO is just weeks away from the unveiling of what it says is the industry's first certification program that peels back collaboration and innovation strategies designed to keep credit unions sustainable.

You Don't Always Get What You Want

By Sarah Snell Cooke

There is nothing worse than mediocrity except, perhaps, hollow mediocrity.

NCUA Needs More Flexibility on Merging Ailing Credit Unions

In Sarah Snell Cooke's column of Sept. 30, she hit the nail on the head of a significant issue for both the NCUA and credit unions. And the impact of failing to deal with this issue could be extremely costly to the NCUSIF,

Federal CUs Must Protect Members From Usury

My letter about credit unions who were attempting to demand a half a pound of flesh from their members was not clear (CU Times, Aug. 26).

Time to Get Off the Blame Game and Find Solutions

I was saddened to see the comments (CU Times, Sept. 23) from a 30-year credit union veteran executive concerning too much energy being used to prop up small and weak credit unions.

More Lobbying Is Needed, but Evidence of the Industry's Clout Abounds

I always enjoy Editor-in-Chief Sarah Snell Cooke's comments, and agree fully that better and stronger attendance by credit union members to Capitol Hill and district offices is crucial to legislative successes (CU Times, Sept. 30).

Small CUs Are the Industry

Credit Unions over $500 million account for approximately 3% of the industry. Even at $100 million, small credit unions still account for approximately 80% of the industry.

LOOKING BACK

As NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz wrapped up live town hall meetings last week and prepares for a digital town hall meeting next week, Credit Union Times takes a look back at her time as an NCUA board member.

Is There a Business Case for a Single, National CUSO?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that credit unions hold only 6% of assets among U.S.-based depository institutions. So, the industry has plenty of competition; 94% of the market belongs to the competition.

Las Vegas Provides Setting for CU Mortgage Questions and Optimism

By David Morrison

LAS VEGAS -- Bob Dorsa, CEO of the American Credit Union Mortgage Association.

Downside of Writing More Mortgages? Increased Risk of Mortgage Fraud

By David Morrison

LAS VEGAS -- As credit unions have increased their share of the over U.S. mortgage market,

Small Business CUSOs Step Up Mobile Banking Exploration

By Michelle A. Samaad

As credit unions continue to form or link up with established CUSOs to tap into the small business market,

Centennial Lending to Lend a Hand to Needy Families

By Michelle A. Samaad

Rather than have its annual Christmas party, Centennial Lending, a mortgage lending CUSO, said it will help those who are less fortunate.

Mortgage CUSO Cuts Origination Fees

TruHome Solutions LLC has announced a 20 basis point discount off its mortgage origination fees for all loans funded in September and October.