Commentary

We're living in a new world that is changing at a record pace. Business plans that were strategically aligned with the marketplace just a few years ago may now be largely obsolete. Products that once made good business sense to offer are now being challenged by fierce competition and intense...

Earlier in the year, those of us in the marketing community were busily discussing the impact of our current branding campaigns, customer relationship management programs and the like. Here at First South, we were analyzing the results of our annual membership survey. The marketing department was particularly proud to note...

New technologies continue to be released to consumers and businesses at a rapid pace, and as the technologies are adopted and prices fall, credit union executives may find themselves facing what can be called the "technology trap," which is purchasing technology for technology's sake. Conveniences such as online, real-time access...

Gene Artemenko died October 15. He was one of the greatest among credit union managers. Many tributes will be paid to his memory. I would like to add mine. Gene was my teacher, mentor and friend. In managing my own credit union operation, many of the things I did that...

Competing in today's auto finance market has become more challenging than ever before. Recent events have forced the automakers to provide dealerships with stronger incentives to help them sell vehicles. Who Are The Competition? As the new models are introduced in the fall months of every year, so are special...

In the wake of the current economic slowdown and disturbing international affairs, pessimism abounds in the business world. That attitude is spreading among some credit union leaders. As businesses become cautious during this time of turmoil, they tend to reduce capital expenditures, lay off people, and postpone expansions. They prefer...

It's more than a good read. It's a veritable potboiler, an eye-popping, can't put it down, page turning expose. And, at least until some NCUA insider is willing to blow the whistle on the sleight of hand, it will have to serve as the Pentagon Papers of the credit union...

How quickly things can change. At the beginning of this year, credit unions were flush with cash and enjoying high yields in Market Daily accounts-with rates as high as 6.50%. Many credit unions were reluctant to give up such a high short-term rate and were uncertain as to the longer-term...