It was a stunning and puzzling member defeat two years ago, but now after months of well-orchestrated campaigning the $600 million Kitsap Community Federal Credit Union is set to switch to a state charter at month's end enabling geographic expansion.

Marking an unusual collaboration of small credit unions implemented as protection and to further the CU cause, a group of six have begun operating a joint Web site here using grant money from NCUA and the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association.

Taking a cue from the American Bankers Association in attacking credit union loans in the Florida land scandal, the state's banker trade group lobbed a media broadside this month at the $143 million Superior Choice Credit Union for holding faulty participation loans with Norlarco Credit Union of Fort Collins, Colo.

Interactive ads with an advocacy pitch are being given a test run in North Carolina this month thanks to a hookup the $150 million Charlotte Metro Credit Union arranged with Time Warner Cable stations.

From Yuma to Prescott, hundreds of employees, volunteers and members of Arizona credit unions marked International Credit Union month with a high-profile "Together We Paint" project sprucing up homes of seniors and low-income families.

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union is breaking its own record in gift giving to United Way charities with a whopping $282,182, topping last year's contribution commitment by more than 11%.

CURIA may not be moving this year, the Oklahoma Bankers Association forecast this week, but that doesn't mean bankers need to let their guard down considering realtors added "a gazillion co-sponsors to a bill" harmful to banks that now looks to pass this year.

As its members return from the fire lines, the Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union launched this week what may be a first among its peers, a charity foundation devoted to helping support families "in time of crisis," fund training and provide equipment to needy departments across the state.