After a year of tightening their belts, North American financial institutions will be opening their wallets once again to invest in information technology in the next couple of years.

The Obama administration will make money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program available to credit unions, banks and thrifts that have been recognized as community development financial institutions by the Treasury Department's CDFI fund.

First Community Credit Union, Manchester, Mo., held a grand opening celebration for its newest branch.

The record-breaking winter snowstorm across the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Midwest continued Tuesday to create havoc with credit union operations.