Every year about this time, at least for the past 14 years, credit union spokespersons start to crow loud and long about how much more consumers are satisfied as members of a credit union than as customers of a bank. Focal point of the annual good news since 1989 for...

During my credit union career, I have attended a number of national banking association conferences. Included on the long list of things I learned at these meetings is that the three most popular session themes at banking meetings are profitability, profitability, and profitability. It's a shame that bankers don't participate...

Scandals continue to surface at a record clip throughout Corporate America. With each new disclosure, the comment is made that the relatively few individuals making negative headlines have also badly tainted the reputations of all those with whom they have come in contact in their various dealings. Thinking about the...

Credit unions frequently find themselves in debates over whether big is better. When it comes to credit union publications, there is no debate. Strictly from a reader perspective, big is better! The reasons why include the fact that only a consistently larger publication (more editorial pages) can cover a wider...

NAFCU and CUNA often take the same position on major credit union issues. This frequent strolling hand in hand up the Capitol steps over the years has caused some observers to ask from time to time, "Why do credit unions need to support two national trade groups?" There are other...

Time to once again take a potpourri look around at credit unions and some things that impact them: In the "enjoy it while you can department," current NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar continues to be the most popular chairman NCUA has ever had. He is knowledgeable, personable, accessible, a good speaker,...

Some things just never die. The subject of how well credit unions are serving low-income individuals, has more lives than an alley cat. It's back on the front burner. Why? Are Norm D'Amours and Yolanda Wheat lurking in the halls of NCUA? Looking at recent low-income related actions and pronouncements...

Reactions to these weekly columns cover the entire spectrum of responses from "you hit the nail on the head," to "you're absolutely wrong." Much of this feedback is documented in the generous space Credit Union Times allots in each issue to letters to the editor. However, I also receive a...