Boutross McGlone Named Affinity FCU CFO

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Effective Oct. 1, Denise Boutross McGlone has been named CFO and executive vice president of $1.5 billion Affinity Federal Credit Union.

Boutross McGlone was formerly assistant treasurer at Lucent Technologies of Murray Hill, N.J. Prior to that, she was CFO for Gain Capital, Warren, N.J.; Principal of AON Financial Products, New York; and CFO and executive vice president of the Sallie Mae in Washington.

According to AFCU President/CEO John Fenton, "We're delighted to welcome Denise to the team. Her appointment as CFO adds another level of dynamic leadership to our management team, which we believe will enhance our continued growth in a way that keeps us relevant to both our employees and members."

AFCU serves more than 122,000 members.

CUNA's 2008 GAC to Close With Humorist Dave Barry

WASHINGTON — Humorist and best-selling author Dave Barry is slated to close CUNA's 2008 Governmental Affairs Conference, its first held at the Washington Convention Center.

Barry has authored a number of best-selling books, including the just-published "Dave Barry's History of the Millennium (So Far)," and for 25 years his column appeared in more than 500 newspapers worldwide. Two of his books were the basis for the CBS-TV sitcom, Dave's World.

Other previously announced featured speakers include retired General Colin Powell and political commentator Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's "Hardball" and NBC's "The Chris Matthews Show." The band "America" will play a kick-off concert Sunday evening before GAC gets in full swing.

"After four days of focusing on legislation, regulation, politics and the campaigns, we felt it would be a nice touch to conclude the conference with one of the most entertaining speakers the GAC has ever had," CUNA President/CEO Dan Mica said. "This conference is shaping up to be our best GAC yet, start to finish."

Senior Financial Services Committee Members Re-Up with CURIA

WASHINGTON — Two senior House Financial Services Committee Members signed on again to co-sponsor the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (H.R. 1537), while two other representatives joined the mix.

Representatives Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) recently added their names to the bill; they had also been co-sponsors of the previous version in the 109th Congress. King re-upped shortly after the New York State Credit Union League's Hike the Hill, making 13 co-sponsors from New York. League President/CEO Bill Mellin hinted that another could soon be on the way.

Waters makes 80% of the top five senior Democrats on the committee that CURIA has captured. Rounding out the top five would be Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who while not a co-sponsor has told primary sponsor Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.)–the No. 2 ranking Dem–he would hold a committee hearing this year.

In addition Ways & Means Committee Member Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who inserted himself in the Lafayette Federal Credit Union fray, and first-term Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.).

He also told NAFCU's Congressional Caucus in September that he was confident the House could pass a bill similar to CURIA, though likely not every piece of it.

CURIA now has 134 members of the House supporting it, including Kanjorski.

SECU of N.C. Goes with PSCU for Gift Cards

RALEIGH, N.C. — The $15 billion State Employees' Credit Union, headquartered in Raleigh, has chosen PSCU Financial Services to help it issue gift cards.

"We are offering gift cards to serve members who want added convenience when it comes to gift-giving," said Leanne Phelps, SECU's senior vice president of Card Services. "One of the benefits of these cards is that their flexibility applies not only to the giver but also to the recipient, since Visa gift cards can be used wherever Visa cards are accepted."

"State Employees' Credit Union is constantly gauging members' interests in products and services," Phelps adds. "As our members' trusted provider, we will not only listen to our members and make gift cards available, but we will provide them at a substantial discount over other financial institutions."

The credit union said the cards would be available in denominations of between $20 and $500 and that it would have the cards available to members in their 213 branches by mid-October in time for the December holidays.

"After evaluating all gift card vendors, we selected PSCU Financial Services because of its member service and reputation for providing high-quality products and services," said Phelps. "In addition, PSCU Financial Services demonstrates the advantages of working with an organization that shares our values and commitment to the credit union industry."

"We are not surprised that SECU is entering the gift card market in a big way. This credit union has a history of earning member loyalty through its delivery of innovative financial products. It is a pleasure to partner with them for gift cards in addition to credit card processing," said David J. Serlo, president and CEO, PSCU Financial Services.

CO-OP Ad Plugs Surcharge Free ATMs As CU Benefit

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — An advertisement in the Oct. 10 USA Today from CO-OP Financial Services, the parent CUSO of the popular credit union owned CO-OP Network, promotes credit unions' surcharge free ATMs as a reason for CU membership.

Titled "Why Pay Banks $3?" the half-page ad encourages consumers to "experience the credit union difference" by joining one of the 2,000 CO-OP Network member credit unions to gain access to 25,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationally.

"The public does not have to pay surcharges, although many banks would like you to believe otherwise," says Stan Hollen, president/CEO of CO-OP Financial Services. "In fact, credit union members have access to a surcharge-free ATM network that is larger than any bank offers, and it's time everybody becomes aware of this fact.

"CO-OP exists to support the credit union movement, and part of our charter is to extol the virtues of our industry on a local and national scale. USA Today, which recently ran an article erroneously claiming Bank of America has the largest ATM network in the country, has a readership of more than 2 million, and we felt obligated to set the record straight."