Maloney and Walsh are also circulating a "dear colleague" letter to generate support for the measure.

Staff Cuts at Former OmniAmerican CU

FORT WORTH, Texas — A bank that converted from being a credit union will cut its staff according to local press reports.

OmniAmerican Bank ceased life as OmniAmerican Credit Union in January of 2006 after a sharply drawn legal fight with NCUA over some of its conversion procedures.

According to a story in the Fort Worth Business Press, OmniAmerican will layoff 8% of its workforce, citing the need to reach profit projections and position the former CU for future growth. The move will translate into job losses for roughly 35 of the bank's 410 employees, the paper reported.

Tim Carter, the CEO the bank hired to replace the prior CEO who had shepherded the bank through the conversion, is quoted as saying the move, while painful, will leave the bank better positioned for its future.

The bank denied the move had anything to with pressures from anything in its mortgage portfolio.

Michigan League Looks Again for Advocacy Chief

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — First he was hired and then he wasn't.

That's the case of Gary Naeyaert, a Lansing lobbyist named by the Michigan Credit Union League Sept. 12 as the new director of public affairs and praised by league officials as the "perfect fit" because of his advocacy record.

But five days later the league said in a brief statement there was a change of heart and by mutual agreement "Naeyaert and the league decided to cease moving forward" with the appointment.

Naeyaert had been president of a political consulting firm bearing his name which he founded in 2005 and previously was director of government and public relations for the Michigan Road Builders Association and a former director of communications for the Michigan Department of Transportation under former Gov. John Engler.

Naeyaert was to succeed Mary Davis who left the league job in August to pursue another business

opportunity.

League Urges Presidential Candidates To Make Financial Literacy a Priority

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Credit Union League feels so strongly about financial literacy that it is appealing to presidential candidates to engage in more discussion on the topic and make it among their priorities.

The league has partnered with the Divided We Fail grassroots initiative (www.dividedwefail.org), which is working to ensure that health care and lifetime financial security are being discussed in town halls, political forums and direct conversations with political candidates. The league is especially pressing for more discussion during the 2008 presidential campaign on financial education and financial security, according to Patrick Jury, president/CEO of ICUL.

"As presidential candidates frequent our state in preparation for the upcoming caucuses, we have a great opportunity to engage and influence the dialogue that can ultimately improve the lives of all Iowans," Jury said.

Jury said Iowa's credit unions are doing their part to promote financial literacy. More than 60% of them offer financial counseling and teach free seminars on home mortgages or lending. The league also partners with the National Endowment for Financial Education to provide money management curriculum to local schools. According to a recent AARP poll, 89% of Iowans support teaching financial literacy in schools, a view strongly shared and supported by the league, according to the ICUL.

Over the summer, more than 40 Divided We Fail town hall conversations were held across Iowa, ICUL said. Presidential forums were scheduled for Sept. 20 in Davenport and Oct. 25 in Sioux City.

ACB Board Approves Merger with ABA

WASHINGTON — The America's Community Bankers Board recently announced its unanimous approval of the previously announced merger with the American Bankers Association.

The merger now must be approved by the membership of both ACB and ABA; the ABA Board has already approved the move. ABA's members will vote Oct. 9 and ACB membership will vote Oct. 16.

ACB Chairman Mark E. Macomber, president/CEO

of Litchfield Bancorp, Litchfield, Conn., commented, "Today's vote underscores our board's belief that we are combining two great organizations into one extraordinary organization that will serve its members well through outstanding advocacy, an experienced and talented staff, a wealth of education and training programs and an unmatched breadth and depth of products and services."

If approved, the merger will become effective Dec. 1.

The combined organization, which will maintain the ABA name, will encompass 95% of the assets of the banking industry, which totals $11.5 trillion. Ed Yingling will remain in his current role as president/CEO. Diane Casey-Landry, currently presi-dent/CEO of ACB, will become executive vice president/chief operating officer.

CUNA Makes Splash on Capitol Hill with 'Banker Strikes Back' Video

WASHINGTON — CUNA is making a go at it again on the small screen–really more of a computer screen–with its series of Little Guy videos.

In the viral videos being disseminated to select Capitol Hill offices this week, "the banker" comes to visit Washington, D.C. in an effort to quash the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (H.R. 1537). Thirty-second teaser videos–in the style of a movie trailer–were being e-mailed to Hill staff Monday through Wednesday last week, culminating in a two-minute feature set to be distributed Thursday.

"The Banker Strikes Back," Thursday's feature, shows a banker lobbying federal lawmakers as depicted by the credit unions. The videos take jabs at the increasing ATM fees and the inadequate 94% of the market banks control.

Also on Thursday morning, the "banker" himself was scheduled to make an appearance at the Capitol South Metro station where many of the Hill staffers commute in every day.

In related news, nine state league Hike the Hills were slated for last week expected to promote CURIA

front and center.