Lending

After billions of dollars went to right the ship of some of the nation's largest banks, small businesses are starting to get their just due.

Despite the presence of a tax credit for first-time buyers and other indications that the economy is turning around, new home sales fell 11% last month.

Sales of existing homes grew by 7.4% in November and 44% higher than in November 2008, the National Association of Realtors reported yesterday.

For credit union mortgage lenders, 2009 was the best of times and the worst of times. The worst of times because credit unions were not immune from the recession that was sparked by the collapse of the housing market in 2008.

The past year has been one that some would like to forget, but for many credit unions it has been a year of opportunity.

Bill Bynum, CEO of Enterprise Corporation of the Delta and Hope Community Credit Union, was one of 12 leaders of small banks who met with President Obama today to discuss lending issues.