The FDIC's push to get more banks involved in payday alternatives puts the limelight once again on credit union products.

With Friday's failure of Cumorah Credit Union, the head of the industry's primary private insurer expressed new confidence in the health of the private system maintaining that "all the right moves" were made in the out-of-state Nevada takeover.

It's a memorable and poignant one day trip for Don Wolford, the chief financial officer of Winston-Salem City Employees Credit Union, which is why the flight from the North Carolina city to Washington is being called the World War II "Flight of Honor."

After five years on the drawing boards, the Oklahoma Credit Union League finally has its Credit Union House and spanking new $2.2 million Oklahoma City headquarters.

In a move reflective of the trend toward regional state leagues, a coalition of Mid-Continent trade groups is meeting in Oklahoma City to look at forming a CUSO to handle combined accounting and human relations functions.

A web-based program of PrimeWay Federal Credit Union in Houston called "LaidoffinHouston" and offering financial counseling and job help to the unemployed spread this month to Pennsylvania with a copycat venture launched by Erie General Electric FCU.

Considering the tech explosion in Twitter, texting, mobile banking and social networking, credit union managers are making a grave mistake in cutting back on strategic planning and training, a Dallas CU marketer/consultant and author maintained.

Shared branching in Indiana and Illinois is on a roll and its CUSO advocates claimed a milestone this week--a larger branch network than its biggest competitors including Chase Bank, PNC/National City and Fifth Third.