Commentary

In the more than 90 years since the first credit union opened its doors, never has the industry contributed more to housing than in 2002. We applaud the amazing statistics from the National Credit Union Administration showing that federally insured credit unions originated $46 billion in first mortgages last year,...

The longer that it is my privilege to serve as president and CEO of NAFCU, the more I marvel at its early - and continued - successes. The dynamics of a direct membership organization populated by action-oriented CEOs and volunteers does not find us on the sidelines when the interests...

In my 18 years in the credit union movement I have served in three credit unions, two federal CUs and Wescom, which is state chartered. Having been through both NCUA and state examinations I can say without reservation that the quality of oversight and examination done by our state CU...

As your members' wealth grows throughout their lifetime and they become more financially savvy, it takes sophisticated products and services to meet their expanding needs. Offering personal trust services as part of a comprehensive investment management program at your credit union is an essential method of meeting this increasing market...

How does an organization create an employee-focused culture? It requires being values-driven and having the values of the organization match the values of those working for you. The corporate values must be operationalized into daily systems and rewards given for the right performance. NIFCU's culture demonstrates binding corporate values reflected...

When evaluating bill payment and home banking services, credit unions will be faced with two bill payment models, good funds and risk-based. While differing in how payments are made, both models are viable options that can be used to serve members effectively. Good Funds The good funds model can be...

"It's the transactional element of checking accounts that keeps them the primary determinant of a consumer's PFI. Unlike the share accounts, the checking account is the one where money is constantly going in and out of. It's the one consumers monitor." - Tim Smith, director of credit union strategic marketing,...

Many questions have arisen from the Securities and Exchange Commission's stated intent to require credit unions to move their investment programs from Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSOs) to within the credit union. This confusion came as a result of enactment of banking modernization legislation (the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) and the National...