Consumers were reluctant to open up their wallets in April as consumer expenditures were virtually unchanged, increasing less than 0.1%, the Commerce Department reported today.

Home prices fell 2.1% from the fourth quarter of last year to the first quarter of 2010, and average mortgage rates are at their lowest of the year, according to data released by Freddie Mac.

Bottom lines will be squeezed for the next year or two. They probably won't rise until unemployment declines. What does that mean for credit unions? It means it's time to start getting rid of some friction.

The CUNA Lending Council has released a new white paper that examines ways lending departments can build strong relationships with CUSOs.