Credit Union Management

Washington was embroiled in a game of fiscal chicken at the end of the year. Unemployment is high at 7.7%. The 2.5 million people who are unemployed but so discouraged that theyre not actively looking are unchanged from 2011.

Regulatory compliance, invoicing and other areas that may have been under the priority radar a few years ago, have aggressively come to the forefront at many credit unions.

After 15 months in conservatorship, the NCUA liquidated the $259 million Chetco FCU of Harbor, Ore., effective Dec. 31.

Credit cards are likely going to continue their expansion into the credit union industry in 2013 as more credit unions start to issue cards and credit unions that already issue them expand their programs.

Student loan debt remains a stress-inducing burden for many college students, recent grads and their families.

It's tempting to attempt to predict how many credit unions might try to jump to a bank charter in 2013. But that is hard to say. It's easier to observe some trends that came to the fore in 2012 and are likely to continue next year.