PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. -- With the launch of its coffee talks series, Tropical Financial Credit Union is aiming to build more relationships with local small businesses....

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A new inpatient hospice facility for Hospice of Wake County has received a $250,000 pledge from State Employees' Credit Union....

CALABASAS, Calif. -- Digital Insight said that more than 60 financial institutions have deployed, are in the process of implementing or have contracted to use the company's new FinanceWorks online financial management solution....

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Anyone with a mobile phone and text capability can get the latest rates from Pacific Service Credit Union....

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Fitchburg Federal Credit Union President/CEO Barbara Goodwin was one of 12 presenters at the city of Fitchburg's first Senior Summit....

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Credit unions will need to turn to their cooperative and networking roots in order to better compete with an array of bigger bank competitors, credit union network executives have suggested....

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The 174 member credit unions of Corporate America Credit Union will now be offered the risk management and profitability software solutions of FIMAC Solutions LLC of Denver....

MURRIETA, Calif. -- Ten more credit unions have signed up to use an automated address validation system built to integrate with their Symitar Episys core processing system....

NEW YORK -- Industry measures to keep homeowners out of foreclosure aren't keeping up with the increasing number of foreclosures, according to a study conducted by a group of state attorneys general and state banking regulators....

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Even though he acknowledged the merger between the $51 million KV Federal Credit Union and Kennebec Savings Bank would take a competitor out of his market, an executive with another Augusta credit union wrote an opinion piece that the merger is a bad deal for credit union members....

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah -- Data just compiled by Allegiance suggests efforts to tout the credit union difference are resonating with consumers, many looking for a safe financial haven in troubled economic times....

WAYNE, Pa. -- Cross selling investment and insurance services appears to be making some strides as financial institutions have stepped up the integration of both programs....

LAKE JACKSON, Texas --Texas Dow Employees Credit Union is letting members know it's business as usual with the launch of its new advertising campaign....

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Federal credit unions can't make contracts for ATMs with third-party providers if the arrangement doesn't give the credit union an ownership or leasehold interest in the ATM....

SEATTLE -- Like other Washington State credit unions, last month's fire sale of Washington Mutual Savings Bank to JPMorgan Chase Bank brought a huge jump in memberships for the $8.5 billion BECU....

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The NCUSIF has $7.8 billion in assets and a strong equity ratio, but the increase in the number of credit unions experiencing difficulties is placing some strains on the fund, NCUA Chief Financial Officer Mary Ann Woodson told the board last Thursday....

WASHINGTON -- An analysis of the latest HMDA data indicates that while the credit crunch has lead to higher denial rates, CUs are still more likely to approve mortgage loans for minorities and low- to moderate-income borrowers....

SAN DIMAS, Calif. -- As it divvies up its $700 billion relief plan, the Treasury is dividing banks into two categories: healthy enough to save and too-far gone. So said Dwight Johnston, Western Corporate FCU's vice president of economic and market research, during his Oct. 13 weekly economic podcast, OnDeck, and again on Oct. 15 to Credit Union Times....

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The recent announcement that Cardtronics will make 5,500 ATMs in 7-Eleven stores part of the Allpoint Network's surcharge-free ATM network takes Credit Union 24 to over 50,000 surcharge free ATMs....

WARRENVILLE, Ill. -- Even though recent corporate headlines have focused on investments and liquidity, electronic branch capture is still gaining steam at Members United Corporate FCU....

PHOENIX -- Arizona credit unions, in league with the state attorney general and consumer groups, are hoping to defeat a well-financed referendum on the November ballot aimed at enacting new payday legislation....

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- As consumers' economic concerns rise, over 177 million credit union members around the world will commemorate the credit union movement's history and achievements on Oct. 16. Credit union leagues, corporates, trade associations and individual credit unions are all doing their part to showcase the credit union difference through this year's theme: It Belongs to Me....

BALTIMORE -- Fannie Mae has forgiven the mortgage of a 90-year-old Ohio woman who shot herself as she was about to be evicted from her foreclosed home....

PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- The Michigan Credit Union League is making a documentary video about a real family that faced foreclosure and was helped by a credit union and credit union partners....

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- As part of a new initiative to encourage Michigan high school students to pursue a higher education within the state, Community Choice Credit Union announced that it will be awarding $1 million in scholarships to students attending a college or university in Michigan....

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. -- For Listerhill Credit Union, a small dose of technology is easing a big pain in the back....

MORELIA, Mexico -- Seven credit union professionals participated in this year's World Council of Credit Unions' Hispanic Marketing Immersion Program Sept. 20 through Oct. 3 in Morelia, Mexico. Participants completed a practical internship on-site with a credit union, or caja, interacting with staff, management and members, learning daily Mexican credit union operations and studying marketing strategies used to attract new members and promote financial products....

MADISON, Wis. -- As the United States faces a banking crisis, modern day credit unions are hoping they will gain market share like their predecessors did in the 1930s. However, the U.S. and world economies have changed quite a bit in nearly 80 years. Are there more recent examples of banking crisis that indicate credit unions will, in fact, gain market share?...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Despite cash-strapped coffers at many cities and counties, LGFCU Financial Partners LLC has been able to approve more than $9 million in loans in its first six months of operation, far exceeding its five-year projection of $2 million....

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Credit unions looking to buy or sell their member business loan participations will soon have access to an exchange to make swaps through Loan Trader, a new online network from the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association....

LANSING, Mich. -- The members of Auto Body Workers Credit Union voted unanimously to merge with Auto Body Credit Union....

MIRAMAR, Fla. -- If there is a silver lining behind the billion-dollar bank and investment firm mergers and the ongoing credit squeeze, credit unions could be the beacon for small businesses left out in the cold....

WASHINGTON -- Checks, legs and voter guides....

WEST MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Guardian Credit Union and Prime Financial Credit Union announced plans to merge and together will create the largest geographic presence in the Milwaukee area....

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Credit unions will need to turn to their cooperative and networking roots in order to better compete with an array of bigger bank competitors, credit union network executives have suggested....

WASHINGTON -- What's good for credit unions and their members in the short term could necessitate paying a premium in the future....

MADISON, Wis. -- With the backing from senior management and a sales team beating the pavement, CUNA Mutual Group said efforts to expand its 401(k) retirement program to select employee groups, business members and other local businesses are starting to pay off....

TAMPA, Fla. -- GTE Federal Credit Union has added the MoneyTracker personal finance management solution to its online banking service....

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Credit unions considering ways to hike the use of their debit cards, increase interchange income and strengthen links to their communities might take a page from the experience of the $866 million New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union....

MESA, Ariz. -- A new company has begun to pioneer prepaid gift cards through ATMs....

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. -- For many in the industry, it is a hard pill to swallow. If credit unions do such a great job with service and advocacy, why do they continue to languish in a small space within the financial service marketplace?...

WASHINGTON -- When looking for ways to increase noninterest income, Callahan and Associates suggested that credit unions look at loan protection products....

WASHINGTON -- A bill pending in Congress and proposed regulations could mean less noninterest income for credit unions....

Why do credit unions go out shopping for new core data processing systems? The short answer is both simple and obvious. A credit union looks for a new DP system when their current one becomes more of an impediment than an enabler. It's like deciding you're ready to go off roading and realizing that all you have in the garage is a Yugo. Of course, a new core system costs a lot more than an off-road vehicle and choosing the right one is infinitely more important....

There are many culprits for the virtual meltdown of our financial system. But the Community Reinvestment Act is not one of them. The denunciation of CRA has, to our surprise and dismay, been circulated in certain media, and even within the credit union movement. For example, in a recent posting to the community development banking electronic list, which reaches thousands of people in the field, Al Menard categorically declared that "Clearly the culprit and originating force in [the financial meltdown] was the CRA."...

From 2006 through 2007, for the first time in U.S. history, credit unions experienced average net interest margins on loans running below operating expenses. In 2008, a poll of over 100 credit unions found their top concern was decreasing profit margins, partially due to their tendency to asymmetrically lower loan rates more rapidly than raise them in response to market changes....

Credit union boards are to be commended for keeping credit unions out of the direct line of fire in the current financial crisis. Their experience and training has been crucial....

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- As credit unions now find opportunity in a struggling economy, Credit Union Times looks back 10 years ago when credit unions saw record growth in share drafts and first mortgages during volatile international and domestic markets and low consumer confidence....

LAS VEGAS -- Granted, the global markets are facing the most serious challenge since the Great Depression, but Blue Chip Economic Forecast contributor Jeff Thredgold told his ACUMA keynote audience that not only will the U.S. weather the storm, but 10 years from now, he'll be discussing the next big economic threat....

LAS VEGAS -- Any homeowner who's ever spent an hour or more signing mortgage documents can appreciate how appealing a hand cramp-free closing date sounds....

LAS VEGAS -- The ACUMA Mortgage Lending Leadership Conference had a full itinerary of sessions and speakers, but attendees could hardly concentrate on the lessons at hand. Instead, speakers and audience members alike buzzed about two hot topics: efforts toward a credit union-controlled secondary mortgage market and plans for a big impression at next month's National Association of Realtors conference in Orlando, Fla....

Keys Federal Credit Union, Key West, Fla., gave a $100 contribution for the Police Unity Tour. The tour is an annual bicycle trek to bring public awareness of law enforcement officers that have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices.Service Credit Union, Rochester, N.H., donated $1,000 to the Rochester Child Care Center. The Rochester Child Care Center serves more than 100 local families. Chief Financial Officer Scott Wensley presented the check with children from the center.Capital Communications Federal Credit Union, Albany, N.Y., named seven winners in its annual big benefit raffle to its Communications Cares Foundation and raised $55,000 for organizations and charities. The foundation sold 3,000 tickets for one $10,000 grand prize, one $5,000 prize and five $1,000 prizes. Beatrice Bohm of Kings Park, N.Y., was the $10,000 grand prize winner. Charrie Shumate and Kristin Stanolind of Midland, Texas, won the $5,000 grand prize. This year is the fifth anniversary for the foundation. Since its inception, the foundation has given more than $700,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to area organizations and families in need.Kennedy Space Center Federal Credit Union, Merritt Island, Fla., accepted donations of cash or checks to benefit the United Way's 2008 fire response fund to assist families impacted by the fires in South Brevard County. KSC Federal Credit Union contacted Our Lady of Grace shelter in Palm Bay and asked Red Cross volunteers what families evacuated from their homes needed. Employees held a dress down day and raised money to purchase baby supplies for the families. Red Cross volunteers immediately dispersed the items to the families....

Saugus Federal Credit Union, Wakefield, Mass., held a Red Cross Blood drive at its main office in Saugus. Several staff members donated blood or helped Red Cross Collection Specialist Cindy Goddard. Saugus residents also visited the main office to donate blood....