As the SBA gears up for its annual festivities honoring small businesses, credit unions could once again be among the candidates recognized for their lending efforts.

One of Arizona's troubled and undercapitalized credit unions, the $370 million AEA FCU of Yuma, acknowledged Monday it is closing a branch, downsizing staff and "put out merger feelers" but is still prepared to go it alone in 2010.

The average yield for interest-bearing rewards checking programs of credit unions and banks is now at 3.3%, according to a new study issued by Bankrate Inc. the Florida-online research firm.

The Regional Airline Association, a trade group representing 32 airlines and 280 associate members, is the latest to tap the $2.5 billion Wings Financial Credit Union as its official credit union.