NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. – Credit unions' ability to compete with banks was the focus of a recent article on a personal finance Web site. Bankrate.com took a look at how credit unions have been able to compete more with banks due in large part to shared branching, ATM alliances, higher deposit returns to members, lower loan rates and new service offerings. The Nov. 22 article also touched on the ongoing ire from banks on the credit union tax exemption. It cited former OCC Comptroller of the Currency John Hawke's speech before the American Bankers Association where he said "you will never succeed in trying to deprive (credit unions) of advantages that translate into pluses for the consumer." "Some credit unions would likely be forced out of business if subjected to taxation," the Bankrate.com article read. "The advantageous deposit and loan rates available at credit unions would certainly vanish if a tax burden were imposed on credit unions."