Guadalupe Credit Union of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, N.M., has been selected as the "Employer of the Year" in the small-employer category by Capital City Business and Professional Women. The annual award honors Santa Fe businesses that extend family-friendly benefits to their employees and incorporate employee favorable policies into the workplace. Most striking in the credit union's list of family-friendly benefits is a flex-time plan that allows working mothers to share jobs in ways that meet their needs and the opportunity for employees to receive paid time off to attend their children's field trips. Educational Community Credit Union, Jacksonville, Fla., has named team leader Karena Johnson Employee of the Quarter. For the past three years she has also received perfect attendance awards. ECCU has $400 million in assets and serves 64,361 members....

Dade County Federal Credit Union, Miami, has raised more than $4,000 for the American Cancer Society by allowing its employees to "dress down" on Fridays. For this privilege, employees paid $5 each Friday. DCFCU has contributed an additional $1,000 to the Relay for Life annual event in which its employees will also be participating in at the end of this month. Community One FCU, Las Vegas, Nev., has raised $6,200 for the United Way campaign. Fundraising activities included an employee contest to guess how much candy was contained in a large jar and an Intranet auction. Employees donated the items to be auctioned and then competed in online bids. Community One FCU has over $108 million in assets and serves more than 21,400 members. SEFCU, Albany, N.Y., has donated $7,500 to the American Cancer Society's annual fundraiser, Daffodil Days. SEFCU also raised an additional $1,100 through employee and sidewalk sales. Serving nearly 100,000 members, SEFCU has been a major sponsor of Daffodil Days since 1994....

Founders Federal Credit Union, Lancaster, S.C., has celebrated its 50th anniversary. FFCU has more than $653 million in assets and serves 93,715 members. Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Mechanicsburg, Pa., will be celebrating its 50th anniversary later this month. Members 1st FCU has recently topped $500 million in assets and serves over 75,000 members....

EAST LANSING, Mich.-Paper losses of $2 trillion may have caught some wary investors in the proverbial fly paper after the stock market's sudden reality check of April 14th, but the cold shower could lead many credit union members back to their time-tested and trusted service providers for financial planning and brokerage advice. At least that's what some of those providers are hoping. Upset and worried enough to be concerned by the ongoing feud between the old economy (as in Dow Jones) with its Blue Chip leaders and the new economy (NASDAQ) with its high-tech Internet offerings, many investors are seeing too many animal crackers in their portfolio soup. Between Bulls, Bears and Dinosaurs, no one wants to overreact. And guess what? Some analysts are even saying that those other dinosaur investments-like money market accounts and certificates of deposit, (CDs) and gasp! U.S. Savings Bonds-may prove a safe harbor, even if only a temporary one, for those skittish members who retreat from riskier vehicles and wait on the sidelines for the shakeout to settle down. Going liquid with some of that portfolio may not seem like such a bad idea. And when members look to their CUs for financial planning and investment advice, they may want to see that the CU is aligned with a name brand Wall Street firm, said Mark Wickard, senior vice president with Paine Webber Credit Union Services Group here. "I have always thought that credit unions, in order to be their members' primary financial institution (PFI), needed to offer brokerage services to members. But I don't think the traditional sources will be the ultimate providers. I think they'll want to see a major Wall Street name because it will give members the confidence they need to bring all their resources to one place," said Wickard. Wickard believes that the affinity relationship most members have with their CUs can be a big advantage if credit unions want to recapture some of the money lost to disintermediation over the last decade. "It's a tall order now because you've got some big names like Citibank, Bank One and the super-regionals chasing the money too, and credit unions need to be ready, and name recognition counts," he said. According to Callahan and Associates, the Washington, D.C. credit union consulting company (www.creditunions.com) only 8.5% of credit unions offer investment services to members. With fully half of American households involved in the equities market, that means a lot of members have to look elsewhere for help in managing their portfolios. As margin calls from brokers may have forced many investors into selling to cover losses on holdings they borrowed to buy, those buyers may be a bit more chastened in the future. "What tolerance will individual investors have? This sell-off is mostly from institutional investors. Not everyone is an expert," said Wickard. "If you look at the crash of 1929 and the crash of 1987 you learn that there will be a big opportunity when there is a tremendous correction." The confidence in the markets may be shaken, but with everyone seemingly consumed by financial and business-related news and advice about becoming millionaires-and net assets in mutuals exceeding $6.4 trillion-no one will want to be last in or out of the market. Economists are predicting that if inflation indicators keep rising (the core inflation rate's rise helped contribute to the market's latest decline) then consumer confidence will drop, more investors will sell, spending will be curtailed and the market will continue to plunge. Those triggers (in any order) would likely spur the Federal Reserve Board's Open Market Committee to start cutting rates, it is believed. That would be a reversal of the trend affected for many months now, which has been to bump rates up in an effort to forestall inflation. Just how investors (both institutional and individual) would read that is an unknown. Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has warned that the central bank would respond to a real threat to the economy while looking away from a decline in the asset values of stocks. He spoke sternly about all this "irrational exuberance" over a year ago. Or the Fed may see that the paper losses will be sufficient to curtail the consumer spending spree and decide to leave well-enough alone. Speaking on the Sunday (April 16) edition of ABC's "This Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts," Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said "What we should all do is keep focused on the real economy and the real economy in the United States is very good. Consumer spending has been increasing at very rapid rates. And even if there were to be some impact relative to the rates of the last several months, consumer spending would still be a very, very important contributor to the expansion." So no one is ready yet to call in the Cavalry. And most third-party vendors to credit unions are still taking an `advise and consent' approach to financial planning for members. "We take pride that we have very experienced financial planners," said Duane Shoop, vice president of the financial institutions division of Financial Network, one of the top three providers. "We hire a large percentage of Series 7 professionals or CFP's (Certified Financial Planners)," said Shoop. Financial Network may not yet be a name-recognized by many in CU-land only because the company has undergone a makeover of its own of late. Previously known as FINC, it has begun a brand image campaign to market itself as a bigger player at the table, said Shoop. They know they have heavy hitters with which to compete, he said. Those include CUNA Mutual, through Members Financial Services, CUSO Financial Services, L.L.C., and LPL Financial Services, to name only a few (see chart for share percentages in the CU market). But Shoop thinks that Financial Network offers a difference, and a big one is the fact that none of its representatives needs to offer a proprietary product. "We have no political motivation," he said. And advisors always take a long-term approach when speaking with CU members. "It's not about trying to time the market." That may be a tough call, however, because even Shoop allowed that "People have unrealistic expectations today. People aren't scared of the market anymore, and that is scary." While it may not be a time of "Be afraid, be very afraid," advice, Shoop, Wickard and other experts definitely feel that educating member/clients is the prime directive to be followed. "Wherever they go for advice, they should be able to rely on it, and that means consulting with a reliable source," he said -...

ATLANTA/DENVER-The love of money may be the root of all evil, says the Bible, but love it or hate it, Americans are struggling with just how to deal with it. Separate studies by the Certified Financial Board of Standards and the Financial Planning Association reveal some insights to Americans' feeling about money and their sense of financial well being. The CFP Board found that more than two in five upper-income Americans worry about their future financial outlook. (The category of "upper-income" is defined as American households with an average income of $50,000.) Those that feel best about what is to come are the ones who have consulted a financial planner. They feel more in control. The CFP Board's Consumer Survey and the FPA's Value of Advice Study found that consumers fell into three categories based on how they felt about managing their finances: * Worriers- Some 43% of consumers are "worriers," and they fret about financial decisions. Despite that discomfit, and the admission that they don't understand the complex issues surrounding the financial marketplace, they do not consult an advisor. They may have a financial plan, but don't really follow it. They are under 40 and usually act as their own financial advisors. They tend to place their assets in savings vehicles like CDs and money market accounts. * Independents- This 33% segment is spread across all age groups and are mostly males. They are typically confident, considering themselves to be better at making financial decisions than other friends and family. But like the worriers, they share an affinity for lower risk investments. They do favor stocks, bonds and mutual funds, but direct a bigger chuck of capital to the "safer bets." They use the Internet and prefer to make decisions without professional help, and consequently, spend more time each month thinking about financial matters. * Help Wanteds- This 25% segment of Americans are middle-aged and older and have a higher net worth. They acknowledge that they need help navigating in the sea of finance and so enthusiastically seek professional help. They tend to have a written financial plan and stick to it. Because they seek advice, they are more likely to hold higher risk investments. They are also satisfied with the results they get. The FPA's study indicated that Americans that consulted financial planners felt close to achieving their goals. Half of the respondents reported that their relationship with such planners lasted more than five years. And they recommend the planner to other friends and family. (FPA based its survey findings on 1,000 randomly selected adults who had used the services of a financial planner. The CFP Board Survey was based on a pre-screened panel of 897 households grouped into three age-groups and categories: up-and-coming, 20-39; mid-life, 40-54; and retirement cusp, 55-69.) -...

WASHINGTON-With the continuing popularity of mutual funds it's become more important for credit unions to consider the offering of alternative investments to members. But which ones, and from whom? To help answer those questions, Callahan & Associates here has published a Directory of Mutual Fund and Brokerage Service Providers. As those CUs without investment programs rework their strategies to include them, the directory takes CUs, step by step, through the process of selecting a third-party vendor and offers several case studies of credit unions that have been successful doing so. The directory also offers a complete list of providers and the CU clients they service. For more information call Callahan's at (800) 446-7453. -caburger@cutimes.com...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- Nine years ago board Chair Connie Cason nurtured the growth of the Educational Community Credit Union-now ECCU will return the favor by nurturing the magnolia tree that honors her retirement. Considering her efforts for both education and the credit union movement it is fitting that the tree will grow in front of a Jacksonville Public Library branch near her home. After retiring from the Duval County Public Schools, where Cason worked to desegregate the teachers union, she became active on ECCU's board. She has taught "Foundation and Structure of Credit Unions" to all Northeast Florida credit union employees for 14 years and has earned the Florida Credit Union League's Volunteer of the Year award for leading the fight in her area for HR1151. Under her guidance, ECCU has grown from a $50 million institution to Northeast Florida's second largest credit union with $400 million in assets serving over 68,000 members. The board, employees and members of ECCU find that the magnolia tree, with its sweet smelling blossoms and silent offer of shade, is an appropriate tribute to Cason's modest persona....

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Two separate financial privacy laws which would limit the sharing of an individual's information by credit unions and other financial institutions have failed to muster enough votes to get out of the state Senate Finance Committee. Both measures are scheduled to be reconsidered by the committee on April 26. A third measure introduced in the Assembly is slated for a committee hearing April 24. Both Senate Bill 1337, authored by Democratic state Sen. Jackie Speier, and S.B.1372 by Republican Sens. Tim Leslie and K. Maurice Johannessen, started out as "opt-in" bills. Their measures would require financial institutions to get customer approval before any customer information could be shared between affiliates or third parties. By the end of the afternoon hearing on Tuesday, April 12, on the Senate bills, Leslie had amended his measure to be an "opt-out," which would require individuals to indicate they did not want to have their financial information shared with affiliated entities or third parties. Speier's bill failed on a 2-1 committee vote. Leslie's amended measure went down on a 3-1 vote. Both measures needed five affirmative votes to move out of the committee. The votes came after a lengthy hearing in which consumer advocate groups, joined by the attorney general's office, argued that the sharing of an individual's financial information between financial institutions and their affiliates or third parties would result in widespread abuse. They cited examples of banks selling credit card account numbers to a convicted felon and elderly bank customers who they claimed were duped into transferring their life savings into uninsured and risky investments. Some senators, however, questioned whether the examples of abuse cited by the groups were actually due to the sharing of information between banks and their affiliates or were due to bad financial advice given by the affiliates. They wondered aloud whether the customers would have complained if their investments had increased in value, rather than decreased. They also questioned whether consumers who said they suffered by the sharing of their information fully understood what was being offered to them. In one of the examples given by a consumer advocate group, the customer understood little English. Consumer's Union representatives, pushing hard for passage of an opt-in measure, were forced to admit under committee questioning that their organization had shared member information with other groups. Testifying on behalf of the California Credit Union League was Bob Arnould, vice president of state government affairs for the league, and Pat Wagner, president and chief executive officer of New World Federal Credit Union in Lafayette, Calif. Wagner testified that New World's members, like members at other credit unions, relied on products and services offered by the credit union's affiliates and third parties. Credit union officials have suggested that state lawmakers let federal legislation regarding privacy matters take effect before they consider enacting stricter measures. The federal law provides an opt-out procedure for individuals who do not want their financial information shared with third parties. It does not preclude financial institutions from sharing that information among affiliated entities. The Senate hearings came on the second day of the league's Government Relations Rally, during which credit union leaders from around the state had a chance to lobby legislators and hear about upcoming legislation. -...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Proposed privacy legislation that would directly affect financial institutions loomed as the overriding issue at the California Credit Union League's annual government relations rally here. Three bills have been proposed in the California Legislature that would limit the sharing of an individual's financial information either between affiliates of the institution or third parties unless each person approved the arrangement. The California league, along with other financial, insurance and high-tech industry groups, have gone on record opposing the measures, which were proposed in the wake of passage of the Gramm-Leach-Biley Act (S900) by Congress. They argued that the California bills were inconsistent with the new federal rules, that they attempted to legislate in an area preempted by federal law, and that the requirements would impose greater costs and burdens with no added customer benefits. The federal measure, not scheduled to take effect until November, would give individuals the ability to "opt-out" of having their information provided to third parties for marketing purposes. The information can be shared among affiliated entities. Under the federal law, however, states can adopt stricter measures which would then take precedence, according to Chris Kerecman, vice president of federal government affairs for the league. While credit unions could live with the federal law - "It's not as bad as we had feared," Kerecman said - they launched a major offensive against the two Senate and one Assembly bills pending in the California Legislature during their government affairs rally held here April 11-12. More than 150 credit union representatives attended the two-day session, which included a morning of lobbying members of the state Assembly and Senate. "Privacy is a big issue facing us," said David Chatfield, league president and chief executive officer. "Certainly we are on the side of the consumer and protection of the consumer . (but) in a way that allows credit unions to do what they can do to serve their members." Credit union representatives described the proposed measures "a solution looking for a problem" and suggested that lawmakers hold off on taking any action until they saw how the federal law was working. Republican state Sen. Tim Leslie, author of S.B.1372, one of the two Senate bills on financial privacy matters, called S.900 "weak" and argued that consumers should not have to opt out of having their information shared. Rather, he said, financial institutions should be required to have consumers "opt-in" - by agreeing to have their information shared. "I can't for the life of me figure out why the burden should lie upon the consumer (to notify others that they want to opt out)," Leslie said during a panel discussion on the privacy issue. "It's unfair to the consumer to deal with that." Leslie said that he was willing to compromise and would consider an opt-out measure. Supporting the opt-in view during the panel discussion was Shelly Curran of Consumer's Union. "We aren't opposed to information sharing," she said. "We simply think that the onus should not be on the consumer to try to opt out. We would like to see legislation passed that gives consumers an affirmative opportunity to opt-in." Curran said financial institutions would need to convince consumers that it was in their best interest to have their information shared among affiliates and third parties - prompting them to opt in - rather than routinely sharing that information until consumers objected and opted out. "Under federal law, we have more protection regarding the movies that we rent from Blockbuster than we do about the types of information that is shared among affiliates," she said. Curran cited a survey by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) which she said showed that 81 of respondents did not want their financial information shared among affiliates and 92% did not want the information sold to third parties. She did not say how many persons were survey, when the survey was conducted of what questions were asked, something she was later questioned on before a state Senate committee hearing. According to the AARP, a nationwide telephone survey of 1,000 people between Feb. 3 and Feb. 27 showed an "overwhelming majority" - 93% - believe that any personal information that they give during a business transaction should remain the property of the consumer and not be shared with other businesses without the permission of that consumer. Forty-five percent of the respondents said they would not permit businesses to share their financial information with other businesses under any conditions. Thirty percent of those surveyed said they would allow information sharing among businesses if they were notified and had the opportunity to say "no." Although the survey focused on the security of e-commerce, it also asked people how they felt about sharing of financial information. The survey was conducted by Market Facts, Inc., of Arlington Heights, Ill., the AARP reported. GOP Assemblyman Tom McClintock called the opt-in proposals "radical notions" and said they would simply limit choices for consumers. "Essentially it's a question of liberty," he said. "Are we going to be free to choose, to exercise our choice of the widest possible range or goods and services or are we going to see participants in the marketplace literally gagged by the heavy hand of government? That's the issue, the crux of this debate. "The more information there is available to consumers the more choices that they have to find that good or service that best meets their needs at the lowest possible cost," McClintock said. "It gives them the ability to compare an infinitely larger selection of goods and services." He noted that more information was available to consumers today "than ever before in human history by a quantum magnitude." "And that quantum magnitude will continue to grow," McClintock said. "The bad news is that government is there to try to take away that access to information." Bob Arnould, vice president of state government affairs for the league, urged credit union officials to lobby their elected officials and explain how the proposed measures would impact their operations. "They need to hear from credit unions," he said. "They need to see the chaos the bill will create." -...

DETROIT, Mich.-Dan Pederson is used to the jokes and he doesn't mind. He knows that looking over the decade of the `90s, mutual funds have out-performed other investment vehicles by a wide margin. But he also knows that United States Savings Bonds are still one of the most widely-held securities in the world, with some $180 billion currently held by investors. They also are being overlooked, misunderstood, often forgotten and right now, about $6 billion worth have reached maturity and have stopped earning interest. Some may be hidden in Grandma's bureau drawer, and that's not a good place, advised Pederson. Savings bonds? The tortoise investment of the savings industry is offered through nearly 40,000 organizations, companies and government agencies, including many credit unions. "When the stock market plunged last week (April 14) the folks who were divided into the Tortoise and the Hare groups could see the value, once again, in having a diversified portfolio-including safe, conservative investment choices-a full mix. The Tortoise had his day," said Pederson. Pederson, who makes no boast about being an investment specialist, says he's only an expert in one thing, and that's U.S. Savings Bonds. "It's a conservative investment choice. But I'd say that half my business is serving financial planners themselves, because they call me to ask about how to handle their clients' bond holdings. If the usual percentage of what portion of money that should be placed in safe vehicles is 10% to 20%, I recommend U.S. Savings Bonds." Why? Because their interest rate is competitive with other safe investments like CDs, marketable treasury securities and money markets, said Pederson. Right now, the Series EE bond is paying 5.19%, and Pederson predicts that on May 6, when the next adjustment is made (rates change every six months) it'll go up one-half point. The Inflation Index (Series I) Bond, now paying 6.98% will rise too. The other advantages of bonds are well-known, he said: tax deferred until fully matured or cashed-in. Pederson is a former Federal Reserve Supervisor (Chicago), who advises American Express A.G. Edwards and Merrill Lynch, to name a few of his clients. He said that savings bonds are more complicated than most people think. And don't go looking to a bank for good advice on bonds, either. They are among the worst, according to one survey, giving out incorrect information about how long it takes for a bonds to reach face value at the guaranteed rate. Pederson heard it all at the Federal Reserve: questions about maturities, different interest rates, compounding and tax questions. In 1990, he formed The Savings Bond Informer Inc., which provides statements and analyses of Savings Bonds and offers consulting services and seminars. He is also the author of what has come to be recognized as the Bible of the industry, "Savings Bonds, When to Hold, When to Fold and Everything In-Between." The book outlines the costliest mistakes people make with bonds and how to avoid them. The biggest mistake people make? Believe it or not, it's not recording and tracking their bonds.Pederson offers a free statement that puts all the vital information in one place. To get it, call (800) 927-1901. The next worst mistake is squirreling away bonds, letting them mature and losing interest. Sounds funny, but Pederson knows of heirs who discovered bonds after the death of a loved one that had matured years prior. In one case, as much as $15,000 in interest was lost. The government is not obligated to inform bond owners when bonds mature. -...

EUGENE, Ore. - The big news at the Oregon Credit Union League's education conference held here April 13-15 was the proposed name change for the League. If members approve the idea at the Fall Annual Meeting, the new name will be the Credit Union Association of Oregon. League staff members wore and handed out big buttons emblazoned with the question "What do you think?" and League officials said early feedback has been positive. "The name change puts credit unions first," said Gene Poitras, president of the League. "And isn't that what we are all about? Besides, the new name puts us ahead of the Oregon Bankers Association in the phone book."...

With ACH transactions increasing fast, credit unions are advised to be ready to handle transaction items................Page 20...

HIGHTSTOWN, N.J. - Dr. Christopher Kennedy has been appointed Vice President of Association Services of Credit Union Affiliates of New Jersey. He will oversee all association activities, including education, government affairs, public relations and regulatory affairs. Known for his professionalism and knowledge of credit unions, Dr. Kennedy most recently served as president/CEO of the Nebraska Credit Union League. -...

CLEVELAND - Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-Ohio) has only been in Congress 15 months, but she definitely isn't following the good-old-boys dictum that freshmen should be seen but not heard. Speaking at the Ohio Credit Union System convention April 13-15, Tubbs-Jones made it clear she's concerned about two issues - predatory lending and the "digital divide" she said separates people with computer know-how and those lacking that knowledge. A member of the House Banking and Small Business Committees, Tubbs-Jones has signed on as co-sponsor of a bill aimed at addressing predatory lending. She's also among the backers of Savings for Working Families legislation providing for Individual Development Accounts. "I believe IDAs are right for the times," Tubbs-Jones said. "I have tried to encourage credit unions in my areas to think about how we can fill (unmet) needs. I believe no one should be left out of the current economic prosperity our country is enjoying. "I hope you might pick up some of the folks who are stuck out there," she said. "They (credit unions) are a cooperative, common sense approach." Citing a program of New Market Initiatives to support businesses in distressed urban and rural areas, she indicated "I hope credit unions will review this initiative and find ways to come on board." Tubbs-Jones also stressed the importance of computers. "Those who lack access to information in an information society will again be locked out," she said. As for predatory lending, "We are not saying that all banks and mortgage companies are predatory lenders. They know who they are. We want to crack down on them." She added she believes credit unions can play a role by filling banking gaps and expanding hours in many communities, and by bringing membership to more modest and low-income people. Tubbs-Jones noted she belongs to four credit unions. She and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) sponsored the first Black Congressional Caucus credit union session. -...

California credit unions flex lobbying muscles, oppose proposed state privacy legislation......................................Page 12...

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DALLAS - Southwest Corporate FCU said during the first quarter of 2000, credit unions invested millions of dollars in its high-yield, low-risk special certificates. In the first quarter alone Southwest Corporate has offered nine specially-structured certificates. Over 160 CUs have invested about $110 in the certificates. A special certificate is a certificate that has some other bell and whistle other than a normal bullet certificate, such as a callable issue, a floating rate, or some other feature. In 1999 Southwest Corporate created 21 special certificates, attracting $318 million from 215 credit unions. "Some credit unions bring $100,000; others bring a million dollars to the package," said Mark Schieffer, investment manager at Southwest Corporate FCU. "From a collective standpoint we need about $10 million to make the deal work, but from an individual credit union, practicality is the only floor level." Schieffer said all of the special certificates in 2000 have exceeded 7% interest. "That seems to be the magic number that catches people's attention at this point," he said....

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Credit Union Times has named Myriam Bourjolly staff reporter, effective April 17. Bourjolly will be responsible for writing the People and In Other News departments of the newspaper, as well as marketing related stories. Bourjolly hails from Dix Hills, N.Y. and has been a resident of South Florida for the past 12 years. She currently resides in Boca Raton. Bourjolly graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor's degree in English. Prior to working at Credit Union Times, she was employed at the National Council on Compensation Insurance and American Express. She also wrote for a performing arts trade newspaper. In her spare time, Bourjolly enjoys bike riding, reading mythology and science fiction, cooking and, of course, writing....

MADISON, Wis., - CUNA's Center for Professional Development and the Training Technology Advisory Committee are hosting a satellite broadcast titled, "Growth Strategies for Credit Unions: Lending Tools and Tactics." The interactive program will present strategic ideas and plans for investigating and examining multiple channels for marketing and delivering credit union loan products. Anytime during the broadcast, attendees may fax and phone in questions. The broadcast will air Wednesday, May 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CDT. For more information call CUNA's Center for Professional Development at 1-800-356-9655 ext. 4171....

ATLANTA - John H. Harland Co., a leading provider of checks, database marketing software and direct marketing campaign management software to financials, is expanding its presence in the business intelligence for financials market with the acquisition of Modelware America, a leading company in the emerging field of data stores and data marts. Modelware Americas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sydney, Australia-based Modelware International. The acquisition gives Harland distribution rights in North and South America for Modelware's business intelligence solution for financial institutions, including EZStore and EZMart, which was developed in conjunction with IBM....

ALAMO, Calif. - Clark Donley, interim president of CUSO Mortgage for the past 11 months, died April 16 in a fatal boat accident during an offshore powerboat race in the San Francisco Bay. A CUSO Mortgage spokesperson reports that Donley's boat, "Eddie Marine" nose dived into a swell during the race and came to an almost instant stop, ejecting Donley and another occupant of the boat. Donley is survived by his wife Mary and two children, a five year old daughter and 14 month old son. Jamey Cohen has been named president of CUSO Mortgage, effective immediately....

ALBANY, N.Y. - Approximately 230 attendees, representing 113 credit unions, turned out for Empire Corporate FCU's 23rd Annual Meeting held here on April 11-12. Mary Ellen Withrow, Treasurer of the United States, was one of the featured speakers. Withrow wowed the crowd with quirky facts about the nation's currency. For example the average life of a dollar bill is only 18 months and there were 122 artists' drawings submitted before the portrait of Sacagawea was selected as the design for the new Golden Dollar coin. She also said the recent redesign of U.S. currency has reduced the counterfeit rate by one-third. Other featured speakers included Brian Jones, an economist for Salomon Smith Barney; Thomas Sowanick, global chief fixed income strategist at Merrill Lynch; Barry Eigen, a professional speaker; and Jeffrey Rosenweig, associate dean for corporate relations at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. At the meeting Empire Corporate re-elected Bruce M. Beaudette, president/CEO of Sunmark FCU (Beaudette will serve as vice chair); Jill A. Fillippini, president of Bakelite Employees CU; and Louis Jimenez, treasurer/CEO of Montauk CU, to its board of directors. Board officer appointments include the following: Nancy Kasprzak-Whitmore, president/CEO of Niagara County FCU, chair; David Bartone, president/CEO of Corning FCU, as treasurer; and Michael J. Connery, president/CEO of United Nations FCU, as secretary. Other Empire directors include Donald Briggs, general manager of NorthEast Alliance FCU; Paul Filippone, president/CEO of Rhode Island State ECU; and Robert Witty, president/CEO of Cornell FingerLakes CU....

BURBANK, Calif. - CUShopper, provider of a credit union member only online shopping site, said rapid growth was behind its move to a new headquarters that's twice as big as their old headquarters. At press time CUShopper had about 1,300 credit union clients and said it's signing up about 100 credit unions a week for its free online shopping service that allows members to purchase a host of consumer goods at discounted prices. The company's new headquarters will be in Glendale, Calif. The first floor, about 50,000 square-feet of space, will be occupied in May, with the second floor scheduled to be completed sometime this year. The new building features state-of-the-art Internet and telephony technology to support CUShopper's call center. The call center staff will number about 134 and be based in the Glendale office. In another growth-related move, CUShopper announced the appointment of 50 new regional service managers who will be spread throughout the country. The managers are responsible for educating current and prospective credit union partners about CUShopper's services. CUShopper also announced that starting on May 1 it will offer discount bookings on cruises through the new CUShopper Travel Club. CUShopper has partnered with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruise Lines to provide members with discount cruises. For more information visit www.cushopper.com....

DETROIT - The Maxxar Corporation announced that credit union data processor Computer Consultants Corporation will be a value-added reseller of its interactive voice response products. Computer Consultants Corporation provides data processing solutions to over 700 credit unions. Under this agreement, Computer Consultants' credit union clients will have access to Maxxar's Centrum 9000r family of products. Members of credit unions using the Computer Consultants Corporation's recently unveiled DP system, Mercury, can dial into their credit union and use Centrum 9000 to obtain account information and transfer funds. "Maxxar's audio solutions are the `best-of-breed' in the credit union audio response arena," said Hugh Butler, president of Computer Consultants Corporation. Maxxar has clients of varying sizes, ranging from Bank of America and Bank One to credit unions with under $25 million in assets. -...

MADISON, Wis. - CUNA, which has made technology (especially Web-based technology) a prime objective in the last few years, has announced some tech-related promotions. Doug Benzine has been promoted to vice president of e-commerce for CUNA Strategic Services and Dorothy Steffens was named assistant vice president of Web services for CUNA & Affiliates. Benzine will be involved with developing strategies and awareness of CUNA's e-commerce products and services. He will also oversee strategic alliances, which have become a key part of CUNA's tech strategy. It partnered with FundsXpress last year to offer credit unions Internet banking services. Steffens will lead the design and maintenance of CUNA's Web site (www.cuna.org), which has been vastly expanded over the last year....

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Northwest Corporate CU is now offering its member CUs MemberStreet, an Internet banking solution provided by Corporate Network eCom, a subsidiary of U.S. Central. Member CUs of Northwest Corporate can offer their members MemberStreet to give them Internet account access; the ability to pay bills; transfer funds; apply for loans; and perform other functions online. MemberStreet also features online calculators and downloads for Microsoft Money and Quicken....

EXTON, Pa. - Automated Financial Systems (AFS) has launched AFSCommerce, an end-to-end browser delivered lending solution. According to AFS, AFSCommerce is a tool for originating and servicing lending related products from any point of customer contact. John Shain, president of AFS, said the new solution allows financials to mix and match pricing indices, product features and delivery options seamlessly through a single solution. "We've already demonstrated our ability to both lower operating costs by 40% or more and enhance revenue by 5-10 basis points for every delivery. We believe we can create more short and long term value with AFSCommerce...." said Shain. For more information visit www.afsvision.com....

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - EPL, a data processing and financial software provider here, has formed an alliance with Diebold Inc. Under the agreement, EPL's TellerPLUS software will interface with Diebold's Express Delivery Unit. Express Delivery Unit is a transaction facility solution for facilitating automated teller cash dispensing. For more information visit www.eplinc.com....

Mike Welch's column, "Loss of Fed charters finally getting attention" in the March 29 issue of Credit Union Times riveted my attention. I have some comments I'd like to make in response. First, a switch of 146 charters from fed to state during a three year period does not a "flight" make. Welch didn't use the term "flight," but I have seen other commentators use it, and it has been used in headlines in Credit Union Times. Look at the numbers. As of June 1999 there were 11,062 credit unions nationwide. One hundred forty-six divided by 11,062 is 1.3%. This is over three years, so the annual average "flight" is a little over 0.4%. I'm thinking of Mad Magazine hero Alfred E. Neuman who has been immortalized for saying, "What, me worry?" Second, state charters were 39.4% of all credit union charters as of June 1999. State charters had 41.9% of total credit union industry asset dollars. The $1.5 billion in Fed assets lost that Welch quotes, if added to the state assets (realizing some was already included in the June 1999 figures), would increase this ratio to 42.3%. A whopping increase of 0.4% (if I did my math right). "What, me worry?" Number three: I agree wholeheartedly with Welch's analysis of the speculation for the charter conversions. I specifically agree with his assertion that the members don't care about charter. However, I disagree with his statement that the members "notice...good rates, good service, convenience, new products and services, etc." Many of these things have little to do with the type of charter, but a lot to do with good management. And state chartered credit unions don't have the lock and key on good management (can you believe a states' right and NASCUS guy actually said that?) Number four, given the foregoing, I say CUNA, NAFCU, and NCUA are wasting resources sweating out the conversion issue. I give it the five year test: In five years will it really make any difference? We're going through a shake out period - for all the speculated reasons. Again Mr. Neuman would say with that moronic smile, "What, me worry?" Number five: The bigger related issue in my mind is what's going on over at the OCC (Office of Comptroller of the Currency.) Comptroller Jerry Hawke is pounding the Capitol Hill pavement trying to get Congress to assess an examination fee on state chartered banks. The OCC is apparently feeling the budgetary pinch, and is trying to equalize the disparity between federal and state examination fees. This is nothing really new; the Clinton administration has had this in their budget for several years. What's different this time is the Comptroller is personally lobbying for the fee. And if that weren't enough, he and his general counsel are touring the country pitching state charters to convert, and smoozing fed charters to keep them from converting. Now, I say this could set a bad precedent. What if the NCUA Chairman in his swan song sings the same tune? Or a future NCUA Chairman takes up OCC's theme? Yeah, I've heard the "couldn't happen in credit union land" chant (because of NCUA being regulator and insurer, and the presence of the irksome overhead transfer rate.) But I don't think credit union leaders should overlook the OCC initiative. I'm balancing a lightweight issue (federal credit union conversions) in one hand, and in the other is the weightier issue of pro-active federal initiatives into the chartering area. Yeah, me worry. George Latham Deputy Commissioner of Credit Unions Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions...

I recently read Mike Welch's March 29 column on Fed charter conversions. It was excellent! As a multiple group CU, we have found it is becoming increasingly more difficult to get the support of sponsors to promote membership to their employees. Also, employees seem to be far less attracted to the "benefits" of credit union membership. My strong belief is that there has been a fundamental change in the marketplace. People don't seem to have any allegiance to institutions anymore. They are purely transaction oriented. If this is true, it may be due in part to the Internet and other societal changes. Dave Breslin President Direct FCU...

The privacy protections in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 will have a significant impact on how credit unions provide diverse products and services to their members. Under Title V of the Act, credit unions, along with all other financial institutions, are required to implement new privacy controls to protect their members' nonpublic personal information. The National Credit Union Administration, along with all of the other federal financial institution regulators, is reviewing public comment submitted on proposed regulations that would implement the Act's privacy requirements. NCUA's regulations, which are expected to be finalized in early May, are written for federally insured credit unions. About 400 non-federally insured credit unions will be subject to the Federal Trade Commission's regulations. CUSOs that offer brokerage services will be subject to both the FTC rules and the Securities and Exchange Commission's version. The proposed effective date for the new regulations is November 13, 2000 but we will not know for certain until the final regulations are released in May. What the Act says You can find the entire proposed regulation at www.ncua.gov under "Just Posted," February 24 ("Proposed Rule - 12 CFR Parts 716 and 741"). To briefly summarize, here is what credit unions will be required to do: All credit unions will be required to provide an annual privacy notice to individuals using their products and services, even if a credit union does not share any information with a third party for marketing purposes. The credit union is required to make specific disclosures about its sharing of "nonpublic personal information," which it obtains from members, and in some cases, nonmembers. The regulation does not prohibit a credit union from sharing information with nonaffiliated third parties. It simply requires the credit union to explain to its members before hand what information it collects, discloses and who receives it, and include a reasonable opportunity for members to "opt-out." When sharing information with another financial institution under a joint marketing agreement, the opt-out is not required as long as the credit union describes the relationship in its privacy notice and includes confidentiality protections in the agreement. Certain information cannot be shared with nonaffiliated third parties, namely account number or similar access number for a credit card account, share account or transaction account for use in telemarketing, direct mail or other electronic marketing efforts. The anticipated regulation will spell out the who, when, how and what of privacy disclosure notices, the opt-out notice, and exceptions that apply for sharing information with data processors, governmental agencies and other non-marketing organizations. What should you do now? Privacy controls and information sharing practices are important to a credit union's business. Consider the following: * Analyze your operations, strategies and procedures, and consider where your privacy policy fits in. How are you currently disclosing your privacy policy? Do you have one? Ask yourself, "Who do we share information with? How do we want to protect member privacy? How will we administer our privacy notices?" * Identify all points of contact a member may have with your services, particularly your member enrollment processes; this may be where you present your initial privacy notice. * Use the proposed regulations as an indicator of what will be required. Much of the proposed regulations were taken directly from the Act and provide a good preview of what we can expect. Become familiar with the notice and opt-out requirements and understand how the exceptions apply to your business and your members' expectations on information sharing. * Involve your board early. Your strategy process should account for the time your board will need to review the privacy policy and ensure that it complements your business strategy. * Develop an operational plan. Decide how you'll carry out your privacy policy in your day-to-day activities. Consider a communication plan to your members and include time to train front line staff. Set key deadlines with an eye toward being in compliance by November 13. Reform of the financial services industry will shape our market for years to come, but it would be incomplete without regulations that protect members' privacy. In order to take advantage of these reforms, credit unions must maintain relationships with third parties to offer a wider range of member service products. These relationships will require sharing member information. This article is not intended to offer legal advice. If you have specific questions, contact your credit union attorney or state credit union league....

Credit unions strive to do a terrific job of taking care of members, but even the best on occasion can stumble when it comes to providing quality member service because they're not doing as good a job as they think. Less-than-perfect service is more noticeable today than ever before. Consumers are more demanding. They also have so many more choices than before. That's one reason why many credit unions strive to be right up there with the big boys known for their well-trained employees who know their stuff and are empowered to do the right thing on the spot. In other words, provide knock-your-socks-off member service. Yet, credit union staff, like employees working for such household names as United Airlines, Marriott Hotels, and Hilton, to name but a few, occasionally do fall short of perfection. For example, how about a credit union that punishes members (like tossing them out) for not using the credit union enough before ever bothering to ask what the reason for the inactive account may be? Or how about the credit union staffer who doesn't respond to a concerned member calling to determine why a monthly statement hasn't arrived by blaming it on the post office. Worse, no effort was made to rectify the problem. The message, however unintended, was clear: "It's not my problem." Then there's the credit union that decides to institute a fee policy without any warning to members. One day the new fee shows up on the member's statement. When the member calls to inquire, the person at the credit union admits he doesn't really know what's going on. Perhaps he missed the last employee training session? Perhaps there was no employee training session? Then there's the problem of money being deposited in the wrong member account. No explanation or apology is offered when the anxious member points out the error. "These things just happen," seems to be the attitude conveyed. Often times, credit union management is not even aware of some of the snafus taking place in their own credit union. Like the CU teller who responded to a member's question: "What's the difference between a credit union and a bank?" by saying that basically there is no difference. If it is any consolation to credit unions that don't always measure up, neither do the blue chip companies on every occasion. They do stumble even though their commitment to be the best is a major one, and even though they have considerable more resources than virtually every credit union. Consider some recent real life experiences. I'm a big fan of United Airlines. I fly them a lot. United was my first choice for a roundtrip to Hawaii. That is, until they insisted on a return flight route that no one with an ounce of common sense would book. Get out a map and follow along. Fly from Honolulu to San Francisco. Connect to a flight to Chicago. So far so good. My final destination of Madison, Wisconsin is a 28 minute flight (about 150 miles) from Chicago's main airport. Yet, the United reservation agent attempted to book me on a flight from Chicago to Denver to catch a direct flight from Denver to Madison. Of course there is a flight from Chicago to Madison, lots of them. However, at this time of the morning, the layover would be almost five hours. "That's the reason you have to fly to Denver" (a two-hour flight back West) the agent explained. "A layover that long in Chicago is an illegal connection," he said. "That's our rule, sorry." "But it is not my fault you don't have a Madison flight sooner than that and I am willing to endure the layover," I said. "Sorry," he said. And that was that. No matter what I said or whom I talked to, apparently, a rule is a rule at the "friendly skies" airline. The purpose of relating this story is not to pick on United, but to illustrate that even an airline known for superior customer service, can on occasion let an inflexible policy cause it serious customer relations harm. How much more sense it would have made if the reservation agent had been trained and empowered to use his common sense and admit that a four-hour round trip via Denver to get 150 miles down the road makes no sense for you the customer or us the airline, so I'll make an exception. The point is that there are situations like this that credit union front line troops face every day. Don't believe it? Just ask them. And ask them how they resolved them while you are at it. To provide top-of-the-line service, outdated credit union policies and procedures need to be sought out, re-evaluated, and if they no longer make member sense, changed or even discarded. It is so easy for poor service to go unnoticed, especially by those with the power to do something about it. No one at United will know about my bad experience because I will not take the time to lodge an official complaint. Just like I won't complain to the Hilton Hotel in Hawaii for telling one of our staff, who forgot about the huge time difference, to call back at the correct time for room reservations. Or the lady at the Marriott Hotel who when asked if there was an Easter Brunch this year simply said, "I don't know." That is bad enough, but she made no effort to find out or offer to call back with the information. Yet the Marriott is known for sending out lengthy surveys to recent guests to learn how they measured up and how they can improve. For starters, inform the employees who answer the phone that there is an Easter Brunch and what time it starts and ends and the cost per person. So just how does your credit union's member service measure up? Comments? Call 1-800-345-9936, Ext. 15, or Fax 561-683-8514, or E-mail mwelch@cutimes.com....

Some publications must think their readers are so stupid that they can't tell the difference between a paid advertisement and legitimate editorial copy, even when the ad is disguised as a news story. Such reader deception is known as an "advertorial." As the name implies, the copy is a cross between an advertisement and editorial copy. An advertorial is deliberately made to look like a normal news story when in fact it is an advertisement. Somewhat similar, some publications agree to write a favorable puff piece (no news value) about advertisers and position it next to their paid ad. Still other publications establish a vendor editorial panel to give them a platform to hawk their wares under the guise of editorial treatment. The most common ploy of all, however, is for the publication to print everything an advertiser submits to the editorial staff. Credit Union Times is occasionally asked to participate in one or more of the above schemes. Our answer is always the same: "Absolutely not!" Our editorial product is sacred and is not for sale under any circumstances. Has this policy cost us ad dollars? You bet. Lots of them. But we never waiver from good journalism policy which demands a firewall between advertising and editorial. We know you agree with our strong stand because you have told us so on many occasions. You also told us you expect news that has no ulterior motive such as self promotion. You want news that is objective, balanced, fair, and honest as well as timely and well-written. Credit Union Times is happy to deliver exactly that in every story, every week....

Monsanto Employees Credit Union, Pensacola, Fla., has announced the following promotions: Judy Phillips, assistant vice president of operations; Brenda Coleman, assistant vice president of lending; Edith Franklin, vice president of accounting; and Resa Thorsen, supervisor of the Eastgate Branch. Central Florida Educators FCU, Orlando, Fla., has promoted Jackie Justice to assistant manager of the member service center and has named Eddie Sanabria compliance officer. In addition, CFEFCU has named Bruce Anonick as the assistant vice president/branch manager of the Sanford branch and Shirley Shoemaker as the assistant vice president/branch manager of the East Orlando branch. Georgia Central Credit Union, Duluth, has named Jeff Ashe systems analyst and Dwight Hunsberger business development manager. In addition, GCCU has promoted Stephanie Jones to product manager for investment services....

North Dakota Credit Union League and Affiliates, Bismark, N.D., has elected the following officers to its board: Chairman Paul Brucker, Mandan Railway Employees Credit Union CEO; Vice Chairman Larry Novak, Western Cooperative Credit Union director; and Secretary Marjorie Lange, First Community Credit Union director....

Security Service Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, has promoted John Worthington from vice president of marketing to senior vice president of corporate communications. In addition, SSFCU has made the following appointments: Perla Escobar, electronic services manager; George McHenry, asset recovery manager; and Letha Harrelson, business development manager....

USA Federal Credit Union, Troy, Mich., has promoted James Kucinski to vice president of human resources. CUNA Credit Union, Madison, Wis., has named Sam Huntington vice president of business development....

Atlantic Fleet FCU, Virginia Beach, Va., has made the following appointments: Renee C. Carr, director of planning and business development; Denise L. Owen, consumer loan manager; and Pamela N. Stover, branch manager. New England FCU, Williston, Vt., has announced that Cynthia K. Morgan has been elected to the CUNA marketing council executive committee. In addition, NEFCU has made the following promotions: Lisa M. Randall, chief operating officer and president of direct financial services; John J. Dwyer, Jr., chief operating officer and president of New England Financial Services Company (NEFSCO); and Susan E. Leonard, chief financial officer and treasurer of direct and NEFSCO....

MAY MAY 1-3 CO-OP Network's 2000 Conference & Annual Shareholders' Meeting, Bellagio, 888-987-7111, Las Vegas, Nev. For info: Denise Oller, 800-782-9042, ext. 2560. MAY 2-4 Creditors Law Center's Mapother Advanced Bankruptcy School, Seelbach Hotel, Louisville, Ky. For info: Mary Kay McCubbin, 502-587-5452. MAY 2-5 CU Conferences' CU Smart Card & Biometric Summit, Hotel Inter-Continental, Miami, Fla. For info: Chris White, 888-465-6010. MAY 3-5 First Empire Securities' Conference 2000, Wyndham Windwatch, Islandia, N.Y. For info: Lisa Kaufman, 800-645-5424. MAY 4-5 Experian's Introduction To New Applicant Scoring Workshop, Atlanta, Ga. For info: Emily Bone, 404-841-1429. MAY 7-11 PEMCO's Annual PowerLink Symposium, Hotel Edgewater, 206-728-7000, Seattle, Wash. For info: Kelly Logan, 800-881-7488, ext. 3417. MAY 8-12 Lending Solutions' Rex Johnson's University of Lending, Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, Crystal Lake, Ill. For info: Marsha Wieder, 888-574-6572. MAY 14-17 Masterful Events & ICUBC's Credit Union Directors Summit 2000, The Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, Maine. For info: 800-881-3544. MAY 16 Loescher & Associates "Hang on to Your Assets! - Detecting and Controlling Credit Union Embezzlement," Marriott Buffalo/Niagra, 716-689-6900, Amherst, N.Y. For info: Barbara Loescher, 608-278-0465. MAY 18 Loescher & Associates "Hang on to Your Assets! - Detecting and Controlling Credit Union Embezzlement," Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel, 317-846-2700, Indianapolis, Ind. For info: Barbara Loescher, 608-278-0465. MAY 21-23 Masterful Events & ICUBC's CEO Conference for Credit Unions, Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, Nashville, Tenn. For info: 800-881-3544. MAY 22-25 Summit Information Systems Client Group Conference, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, Maui, Hawaii. For info: Dave Pumper, 800-937-7500, ext. 6235. JUNE JUNE 3-10 CU Conferences' Alaskan Credit Union Cruise Conference, Princess Cruise's "Ocean Princess", sailing from Anchorage. For info: Chris White, 888-465-6010. JUNE 5 CU Financial Services' The Mutual Thrift Charter Option, Marriott World Center, Orlando, Fla. For info: Alan D. Theriault, 800-649-2741. JUNE 5-8 CU Conferences' Directors and Upper Management Conference, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nev. For info: Chris White, 888-465-6010. JUNE 5-8 Fiserv's Galaxy Plus Annual Client Conference, Rio Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nev. For info: Teri Madson, 800-876-9000. JUNE 8-9 O'Rourke Sacher & Moulton's 25th Annual Supervisory Committee and Director's Conference, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nev. For info: 800-726-7470. JUNE 8-9 Experian's Behavior Scoring Workshop, Chicago, Ill. For info: Emily Bone, 404-841-1429. JUNE 10-17 Masterful Events & ICUBC's Credit Union Edu-Cruises 2000, "Greek Isles Odyssey," The Mistral (new ship!), First European Cruises. For info: 800-881-3544. JUNE 12-16 Lending Solutions' Rex Johnson's University of Lending, Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, Crystal Lake, Ill. For info: Marsha Wieder, 888-574-6572. JUNE 14-17 CUNA Mutual Group's Discovery Conference 2000, Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers, 206-447-5555, Seattle, Wash. For info: Ann Geocaris, 800-937-2644, ext. 7688. JUNE 15-16 Brick & Associates, Inc. "Strategic Conference," The Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, Nev. For info: 800-332-8188. JUNE 15-18 CU Conferences' Detecting Fraud and Managing Risks Conference, The Breakers Hotel, Palm Beach, Fla. For info: Chris White, 888-465-6010. JUNE 19-22 re:Member Data Services Indy 2000 Technical Conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 800-233-1234, Indianapolis, Ind. For info: Kristi Lowell, 800-888-2112, ext. 1345. JUNE 22-23 O'Rourke Sacher & Moulton's 25th Annual Supervisory Committee and Director's Conference, Monterey Marriott Hotel, Monterey, Calif. For info: 800-726-7470. JUNE 25-27 Financial Service Centers Cooperative's Annual Meeting and Conference, Marriott Hotel, Monterey, Calif. For info: Sarah Canepa Bang, 888-372-2669. JUNE 28 - JULY 1 Nearman & Associates' 22nd Annual Supervisory Committee Conference, Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa, 800-327-2990, Orlando, Fla. For info: Erin Doolittle, 800-288-0293. JULY JULY 6-9 CU Conferences' Focus on Lending Conference, John Ascuaga's Nugget Resort & Casino, Reno, Nev. For info: Chris White, 888-465-6010. JULY 10-14 Lending Solutions' Rex Johnson's University of Lending, Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, Crystal Lake, Ill. For info: Marsha Wieder, 888-574-6572. JULY 12-14 Callahan & Associates' and CFO Center.com's New Horizons: Financial Strategies Conference 2000, Hilton Head, S.C. For info: Sharon Simpson, 800-237-5678. JULY 13-14 Brick & Associates, Inc. "Strategic Conference," East Lansing Marriott, East Lansing, Mich. For info: 800-332-8188. JULY 20-23 Mosler's 2000 National User's Conference, Omni Netherland Hotel, Cincinnati, Ohio. For info: Sherry English, 800-667-5371, ext. 1171....

MAY MAY 3-6 Missouri CU System's Annual Convention, University Plaza Hotel, Springfield, Mo. For info: Lorraine Ellrich, 314-542-0555. MAY 3-4 Alabama CU League's Annual Meeting, San Destin Beach Resort, Destin, Fla. For info: Jerry Weisenfeld, 800-846-8374, ext. 130. MAY 4-6 Arkansas CU League's Annual Meeting, Arlington Hotel & Resort, Hot Springs, Ark. For info: Shawna Martin, 501-376-6508. MAY 4-6 Hawaii CU League's Annual Meeting, Outrigger Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii. For info: Gina Fernandez, 808-941-0556. MAY 4-6 NAFCU's 19th Annual Volunteers Conference, Hyatt Regency, San Diego, Calif. For info: Member Service Center, 800-344-5580. MAY 4-6 Pennsylvania CU League's Annual Meeting, Trade Show & Convention, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, Pa. For info: Jinny Cosgriff, 717-234-3156, ext. 5217. MAY 5-6 Connecticut CU League's Annual Meeting, Foxwoods Resort, Ledyard, Conn. For info: Barbara Bartucca, 203-265-5657. MAY 7-10 CUNA & Affiliates Brand and Retail Marketing Institute, Tradewinds Resort, 727-367-6461, St. Pete Beach, Fla. For info: Deb Verdecchia, 800-356-9655, ext. 4249. MAY 7-10 CUNA & Affiliates Credit Union University, Hilton Palacio del Rio, 210-222-1400, San Antonio, Texas. For info: Deb Verdecchia, 800-356-9655, ext. 4249. MAY 7-12 CUNA & Affiliates Financial Management School: Parts I & II, Tradewinds Resort, 727-367-6461, St. Pete Beach, Fla. For info: Deb Verdecchia, 800-356-9655, ext. 4249. MAY 8 CUNA & Affiliates Residential Mortgage Lending Seminar: Part II, Hilton Portland, 503-226-1611, Portland, Ore. For info: Deb Verdecchia, 800-356-9655, ext. 4249. MAY 8-12 CUNA & Affiliates Residential Mortgage Lending School, Hilton Portland, 503-226-1611, Portland, Ore. For info: Deb Verdecchia, 800-356-9655, ext. 4249. MAY 9-12 NACUSO's Annual Conference, Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev. For info: Bob Dorsa, 888-462-2870. MAY 10 Mid-States Corp. FCU's ACH Government Receipt Workshop, location TBA. For info: Kim Endres, 630-983-3193. MAY 10-13 Idaho CU League's Annual Meeting, Grove Hotel, Boise, Idaho. For info: Karen Warner, 800-627-1820, ext. 27. MAY 11-13 Wisconsin CU League's Annual Meeting & Exposition, Milwaukee Hilton & Midwest Express Center, Milwaukee, Wis. For info: Judy Phillips, 262-549-0200, ext. 3114. MAY 11-13 South Dakota CU League's Annual Meeting, Ramkota Inn, Aberdeen, S.D. For info: Brenda Weeks, 605-336-3155. MAY 14-17 CUES Directors Leadership Institute, London Business School, London, England. For info: Lucy Roidt, 608-271-2664. MAY 17 Mid-States Corp. FCU's ACH Government Receipt Workshop, ICU Education Center, Naperville, Ill. For info: Kim Endres, 630-983-3193. MAY 18-20 Georgia CU Affiliates' Annual Meeting, Hyatt Hotel, Savannah, Ga. For info: Dan Denning, 770-476-9625. MAY 19-20 Minnesota CU Network's Annual Meeting, Rochester Convention Center, Rochester, Minn. For info: 612-854-3071. MAY 19-20 MACU's Leadership Conference & Annual Meeting, Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, MI. For info: Melody Arnst, 517-321-3068. MAY 19-20 Maine CU League's Annual Meeting, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine. For info: Cheryl Lancaster, 207-773-5671, ext. 274. MAY 21-24 CUNA CFO Council's 6th Annual Conference & Roundtable, Wyndham Palace Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. For info: Bobbi Freund, 800-356-9655, ext. 4018. MAY 24-27 Information Technologies CU Association's 41st Annual Convention & Exposition, Sheraton Kaanapali, 808-661-0031, Maui, Hawaii. For: Kathy Clark, 858-792-3883. MAY 27-31 NCUMA's Southeastern Regional Seminar, The Cloister Resort Hotel, Sea Island, Ga. For info: Jerry K. Anchors, 404-255-6828. MAY 28-30 Australian Institute of Credit Union Management's (AICUM) CEO National Forum, Sydney, Australia. For info: John Girdwood, info@aicum.com.au. MAY 30-JUNE 4 LICU Corporate FCU's Annual Spring Meeting, Resort at Squaw Creek, Olympic Valley, Calif. For info: Barbara DeAngelo, 607-754-7900, ext. 380. MAY 31-JUNE 2 Marketing Association of CU's (MAC) Annual Marketing Conference, Paradise Point Resort, 800-344-2626, San Diego, Calif. For info: Kent Lindeman, 415-764-4848. JUNE JUNE 1-3 Michigan CU League's Annual Convention & Exposition, Amway Grand Plaza & Grand Center, Grand Rapids, Mich. For info: Ann Peters, 734-420-1530. JUNE 1-3 Florida CU League's 66th Annual League Convention, Orlando Marriott World Center, Orlando, Fla. For info: Education Dept., 800-342-1266. JUNE 4 CUNA & Affiliates Marketing Management Seminar, Portland Hilton, 503-226-1611, Portland, Ore. For info: Deb Verdecchia, 800-356-9655, ext. 4249. JUNE 4-6 NACUC'S Leadership Development Seminar, Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colo. For info: Kathy Clark, 888-987-4247. JUNE 4-8 CUNA & Affiliates Leadership Development Institute: Part II, Portland Hilton, 503-226-1611, Portland, Ore. For info: Deb Verdecchia, 800-356-9655, ext. 4249....

Guadalupe Credit Union of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, N.M., has been selected as the "Employer of the Year" in the small-employer category by Capital City Business and Professional Women. The annual award honors Santa Fe businesses that extend family-friendly benefits to their employees and incorporate employee favorable policies into the workplace. Most striking in the credit union's list of family-friendly benefits is a flex-time plan that allows working mothers to share jobs in ways that meet their needs and the opportunity for employees to receive paid time off to attend their children's field trips. Educational Community Credit Union, Jacksonville, Fla., has named team leader Karena Johnson Employee of the Quarter. For the past three years she has also received perfect attendance awards. ECCU has $400 million in assets and serves 64,361 members....

Dade County Federal Credit Union, Miami, has raised more than $4,000 for the American Cancer Society by allowing its employees to "dress down" on Fridays. For this privilege, employees paid $5 each Friday. DCFCU has contributed an additional $1,000 to the Relay for Life annual event in which its employees will also be participating in at the end of this month. Community One FCU, Las Vegas, Nev., has raised $6,200 for the United Way campaign. Fundraising activities included an employee contest to guess how much candy was contained in a large jar and an Intranet auction. Employees donated the items to be auctioned and then competed in online bids. Community One FCU has over $108 million in assets and serves more than 21,400 members. SEFCU, Albany, N.Y., has donated $7,500 to the American Cancer Society's annual fundraiser, Daffodil Days. SEFCU also raised an additional $1,100 through employee and sidewalk sales. Serving nearly 100,000 members, SEFCU has been a major sponsor of Daffodil Days since 1994....

Founders Federal Credit Union, Lancaster, S.C., has celebrated its 50th anniversary. FFCU has more than $653 million in assets and serves 93,715 members. Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Mechanicsburg, Pa., will be celebrating its 50th anniversary later this month. Members 1st FCU has recently topped $500 million in assets and serves over 75,000 members....