Credit Union Journal articles from December 2006

Credit Union Journal archives from December 2006

Intuit Buys Digital Insight In Bid For Expanded Small Biz Market.
December 4, 2006... MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Intuit's acquisition of Digital Insight is an arrow aimed at the heart of how small businesses manage their financial operations through the Internet-and how credit unions will serve them. The buy out deal for...

WesCorp, VolCorp Union Back On Track.
December 4, 2006... NASHVILLE -- The merger between Tennessee's VolCorp and San Dimas, Calif.-based WesCorp, temporarily abandoned when state regulators shunted the proposal back to the corporates, is back on track and slated for completion in the first quarter of...

Duking It Out: Insurance: Increased Competition Means CUs Can't Afford To Surrender Market.
December 4, 2006... MADISON, Wis. -- Credit unions are duking it out with a whole host of competitors, not just banks, so if you aren't selling insurance to your members, your competition down the street will be only too happy to do it for you. That's the...

CU Conversionists Refute Profit Motive.
December 4, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Some of the key players responsible for the growing conversions of credit unions to mutual savings banks denied last week that top managers and directors were motivated by greed. Reporting of multi-million dollar windfalls by...

CUs Eye Chance To Regain CFA's Trust.(Consumer Federation of America)
December 4, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The consumer lobby met here last week to set a financial services agenda for the next Congress and left a new opening for credit unions to regain some of the lost comity they had with the groups over the bankruptcy reform bill....

On Deadline.(Library of Congress Federal Credit Union contracts with Zix Corp.)(Lamar Ray sentenced)(Metavante Corp. downsizes its workforce)
December 4, 2006... Prison Term for Series of Kidnap-Robberies MILWAUKEE-A daring bandit who gained access to several credit unions and check-cashing businesses by breaking into employees' homes and threatening them or kidnapping loved ones was sentenced...

Key Figure In Looting Of CDCU Disappears In Accident.(community development credit unions)
December 4, 2006... SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Police were dredging the swollen Chicopee River last week in search of Douglas Smith, a local businessman who was awaiting trial with his mother Carol Aranjo, the well-known community development credit union activist, and...

DFCU Financial Board To Face Competition In Election.(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... DEARBORN, Mich. -- Though no new hearing date has been set in the DFCU Financial Credit Union lawsuit over the CU's ill-fated conversion, petitions were expected to be submitted to the CU late last week that could place seven new candidates on...

Worth Noting.(Riegelwood Federal Credit Union raised fund for disaster relief)(Empire Federal Credit Union's merger with Power Federal Credit Union)(Tech Credit Union's donation for Valley Children's Museum )
December 4, 2006... CU Pitches In After Tornado RIEGELWOOD, N.C.-While its hometown continues to recover from a devastating tornado last month, Riegelwood FCU's disaster relief fund has raised more than $30,000 to help the town rebuild. The storm killed...

Down 'Under' But Not Forgotten And Other Thoughts.(Credit Union Foundation Australia manager Grahame Mehrtens remembered)(Biography)
December 4, 2006... I wish you had known him. Like many of you, I receive so many e-mails each day that it seems all we do is delete, forward or mark for later action. But every rare once in a while there is the e-mail that causes us to stop what we are doing...

On Branding: Part Of Good Branding Means Being A Good Neighbor.(America's First Credit Union)(Column)
December 4, 2006... Boiled peanuts, sweet tea, NASCAR, and pickup trucks-you know you're in the South. On a crisp October day I took a three-hour drive from Atlanta through the rolling hills of western Alabama to Limestone Springs Golf Club to attend America's...

Before You Switch: Be Sure 'Big Incentives' Are Worth It.(evaluating outsourced debit services)
December 4, 2006... Another debit provider offering "big incentives" has just approached my credit union! What should I do? First of all, apply the old principle: "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is." Some processors are offering upfront...

Teens Experience 'Real World' In CU Diversity Program.(CorePlus Federal Credit Union's Warren P. Scholl hires students for diversity)
December 4, 2006... NORWICH, Conn. -- CorePlus Federal Credit Union's President Warren P. Scholl admits that his intent was "a bit selfish," for embracing a different way of promoting diversity, but he had no idea that doing so would bring so many unexpected...

The Sky's The Limit At CU's Club Education Day Program.(Universal Federal Credit Union)
December 4, 2006... HUNTINGTON, W.V. -- The sky was the limit-literally-for youth members who attended Universal Federal Credit Union's 7th Annual Club Education Day. The $56-million CU sent some 80 youths aboard a single-engine Cessna for 30-minute cruises...

Product & Service.(Fidelity National Information Services Inc. enhances FIS Secured product)(Members United Corporate Credit Union's members)(CU Direct Corp.'s online training and education)
December 4, 2006... FIS Expands Fraud Protection JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. announced the expansion of its FIS Secured fraud protection product line to include credit card clients. FIS Secured will provide community...

CUNA, CMG Honor Excellence In Lending.(CUNA Mutual Group, CUNA Lending Council)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... INDIAN WELLS, Calif.-CUNA Mutual Group and the CUNA Lending Council have added a fifth category to their joint Excellence in Lending Awards. In addition to the traditional consumer and mortgage lending (divided into asset categories of less...

Outgoing Tax-Writer Cites NCUA Report.(National Credit Union Administration - )(U.S. Rep. Bill Thomas)
December 4, 2006... WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Bill Thomas, the outgoing Republican chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, expressed satisfaction with NCUA's recently issued report on credit union services to their members. The report, which cost...

Top 10 CUs That Braved A Difficult Third Quarter.(credit unions)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Three Texas credit unions were among the top ten performers in the third quarter, scoring high return-on-assets in a very tough period for credit unions. The highest ROA in the third quarter among credit unions over $25 million was reported by...

Funding To Grow CUs, Not Opium, in Afghanistan.(credit unions)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The World Council of CUs has received another federal grant for its Afghanistan development project, this one an $8.3-million gift from the Microfinance Support Facility for Afghanistan. The funds will be combined with a...

People.(new appointments)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... America First Credit Union, Ogden, Utah, announced that Kara England received the Charlie Clark Memorial Award, Greg Taylor was named Brickyard Harmons branch manager, Nancy Marcias was named Olympus Hills Dan's branch manager, Camille Cassity...

CU Nears the Point of No Return.(credit union)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Dissident members of Lafayette FCU were racing to force a special meeting of the credit union for employees of US AID and several other federal agencies, as management was preparing a final vote to convert to a mutual savings...

Conforming Loan Limits Unchanged.(Federal National Mortgage Association)(Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said they will maintain the same limits on all conforming loans, that is, the ones they will buy for the secondary market, despite the first drop in average home prices in 13 years. The...

Escapee Captured at NMEFCU.(New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A man who escaped from police after being treated at the hospital was arrested days later while his girlfriend was withdrawing cash from her New Mexico Educators FCU account. Federal authorities had asked the credit...

Robber Nabbed After Signing Card.(Carolina Postal Credit Union)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- A suspect arrested and charged with the recent armed robbery at Carolina Postal CU may want to re-think his strategy next time. The suspect walked into the credit union and agreed to fill out a Christmas card for...

Bomb Hoax Was Inside Job.(Complex Community Federal Credit Union robbed by Maria Guzman)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... MIDLAND, Texas -- A 33-year-old teller at Complex Community FCU who staged a phony bomb scare to steal $9,200 told a federal judge she did not "feel like a criminal" just before he sent her away to prison. Maria Guzman told police last...

US Fed Spoofs TV Game Show To Raise Donations For CMN.(US Federal Credit Union)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- US Federal Credit Union kicked off its charity effort for the 2006 Combined Federal Campaign with a spoof of the popular game show, "Deal or No Deal." The $700-million CU's version, "Meal or No Meal," gave employees...

Shoppers Get Help From Keesler.(Keesler Federal Credit Union)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... BILOXI, Miss. -- Members of Keesler FCU were ready and flush with cash when the stores opened on Black Friday-thanks to their CU. Keesler distributed its 2006 Christmas Savings account proceeds-a total of $4.5 million last week-to 16,100...

Gulf Winds Dogged in Charity.(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is back to full strength, thanks to Gulf Winds FCU. The credit union donated $10,000 so that the local law enforcement agency could buy two additional police dogs for its K-9 unit. ...

Product & Service.(Pay By Touch's Paycheck Secure )(Calypso's contract with VISA International)(Concho Educators Federal Credit Union contracts with TNB Card Services)
December 4, 2006... Yodlee, Metavante Team Up MILWAUKEE, Wis.-Metavante Corporation announced a reciprocal agreement with Yodlee, Inc. that merges Metavante electronic bill payment with Yodlee's credit and debit card payment functionality, and integrates...

WOCCU Supports MLK Memorial.(World Council of Credit Unions)(Martin Luther King)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... MADISON, Wis. -- World Council of Credit Unions has donated $5,000 toward the African American Credit Union Coalition's fundraising campaign in support of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial being built in Washington. "The Martin...

Low Honored For Work In Uzbekistan.(David Low)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... PORTLAND, Ore. -- The World Council of Credit Unions honored David Low, director of audit and compliance at OSU FCU, for his volunteer work in Uzbekistan. In a letter presented to the state conference of the Credit Union Association of Oregon,...

WOCCU Welcomes Nine Into IEVC.(World Council of Credit Unions)(International Executive Volunteer Corps)(Bill Raker- US Federal Credit Union)(Sarah Turner- Columbia Credit Union Association)(Rick Myxter- Pennsylvania Credit Union Association)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... MADISON, Wis. -- World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. recently welcomed nine credit union professionals into its International Executive Volunteer Corps (IEVC) in recognition of their volunteer service to aid international credit union...

Indian Representatives Visit U.S.( National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks & Credit Societies, Ltd.- )(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Madison, Wis. -- Representatives from India's National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks & Credit Societies, Ltd. visited the United States and Canada to expand their knowledge of the credit union system and explore the possibility of...

Stanaland Predicts Interest Rates Will Continue To Level.
December 4, 2006... LAS VEGAS -- The "Will Rogers of Economics" offered his unique blend of economic wit and wisdom, forecasting relatively level interest rates for the next year. Gene Stanaland, former head of the economics department at Auburn University...

Thredgold Suggests Inflation Fears In 2007 Are Overblown.
December 4, 2006... INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- The global economy is "doing very well," and, despite what people might have heard or read recently, the U.S. economy is in good shape, also. That was the message from Jeff Thredgold, president of Thredgold Economic...

Deposits, Assets Stagnate In Difficult Third Quarter.(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Credit unions weathered one of their toughest quarters in recent memory between July 1 and Sept. 31, with virtually no growth in deposits or assets, and another 80 credit unions disappearing through merger or liquidation,...

Stanaland Keeps Crowd Roaring.(Gene Stanaland )
December 4, 2006... LAS VEGAS -- Gene Stanaland might have set a record for most laughs by an economist at a credit union conference when he visited the recent California and Nevada CU Leagues' Annual Convention here. A small sampling: * "I've been called...

Fraudsters Find Way To Use Multi-Factor Authentication Against Itself.(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ATLANTA -- You've raced to meet the financial regulators' deadline to implement multi-factor authentication, so now you're safe, right? Not necessarily. Fraudsters have managed to find a way to make the guidance issued by the Federal...

Decision Looms In CUNA Employment Lawsuit.(Credit Union National Association's Mike Miller accused for official misconduct)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... MADISON, Wis. -- With final briefs in hand, Madison Equal Opportunities Commission Hearing Officer Clifford Blackwell must now decide whether former CUNA SVP Mike Miller was an "immature" and "disgruntled" employee who lashed out at his new...

CMG Considers Internal Merger, Domicile Change.
December 4, 2006... MADISON, Wis. -- CUNA Mutual Group is exploring a merger that would unite its CUNA Mutual Life Insurance Company (CUNA Mutual Life) in Waverly, Iowa, and its CUNA Mutual Insurance Society (CUMIS) here, and changing the company's state of...

CUNA Mutual: A Corporate Primer.(Company overview)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... MADISON, Wis. -- The company credit union land knows as "CUNA Mutual Group" is more than just an insurance company. In fact, that's not even the company's real name. Here's a primer on this complex organization. Legal name: CUNA Mutual...

Credit Unions In Their Communities.(Argonne Credit Union opens its new office)(Iowa Community Credit Union donations for needy children)(Redstone Federal Credit Union builidng a home)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * Argonne Credit Union, Romeoville, Ill., opened its new main office with a ribbon cutting ceremony. * Iowa Community Credit Union, Waterloo, donated $1,000 worth of new sweatshirts to needy children. * BestSource Credit Union,...

Attention CU Story-Tellers!(credit unions)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- CUs know what their strengths are and the advantages over banks they have to offer to consumers. But they often keep it secret, even though telling that story can be a very effective strategy underpinning growth. Has...

Tis (Not) The Season: Strategies For Dealing With Winter Dip In Auto Lending.
December 11, 2006... RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. -- Tis the season to be shopping-but generally not for cars. What's the right strategy for credit unions when the bread and butter of auto lending takes a holiday? Several auto industry and lending experts told The...

When Is Too Much Enough?: CU Struggles To Balance Cash Flow, Brings In $1.5M.(Franklin First Federal Credit Union's succesful marketing of CDs )
December 11, 2006... GREENFIELD, Mass. -- What's the greater problem for a rural credit union? Too little cash on hand or too much? Franklin First Federal Credit Union needed to improve its liquidity after making a large amount of loans and to make payments for...

Study Finds CU Shift From Underserved.(credit unions)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- In yet another study, the federal government said that credit unions have been shifting their focus from the underserved to upper-income members since the onset of the massive move to convert to community charters. The new...

Remittance Service Comes Under Fire.
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- A new remittance program being piloted by credit unions to help immigrants transfer funds to Mexico was being assailed last week as a subsidy to illegal immigration. "Directo a Mexico is being marketed to illegal immigrants...

On Deadline.(Lafayette Federal Credit Union held a meeting to answer for its coversion to mutual savings bank)(U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected patent application of DataTreasury Inc.)(Allegacy Federal Credit Union partnered with Housing Finance Agency)
December 11, 2006... Lafayette Hosts Q&A On Conversion Proposal WASHINGTON-As The Credit Union Journal was going to press Mike Hearne, CEO of Lafayette FCU, which is seeking to convert to a bank, was appearing at a question-and-answer session with members of...

SAVE THE DATE!
December 11, 2006... Looking to grow your membership? The Credit Union Journal's Business Development & SEG Conference is back for 2007 and will be held April 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency Boston. See page 17 for details. (c) 2006 The Credit Union Journal and...

Credit Unions Finally Pry Open The FHLB Board Room.(Federal Home Loan Bank- Thomas Webber)
December 11, 2006... ATLANTA -- After years of trying, credit unions finally got a seat on a Federal Home Loan Bank board of directors. The appointment of Thomas Webber, chief financial officer of IDB-IIC FCU, in Washington, represents a milestone for the...

CUNA Creates Community CU Committee To Replace NACCU.(Credit Union National Association)(National Association of Community CUs)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- In the wake of a vote by the board of the National Association of Community CUs to dissolve the group itself, CUNA has created the Community CU Committee to fill the void, even as the NACCU membership are still voting on its...

Worth Noting.(Ben Freudenreich of BMI Federal Credit Union honored with CUES Directors Educational Forum Director of the Year)(Louisiana CU League formed a task force to investigate payday and predatory lending)(CUNA Councils research report on loyalty programs)
December 11, 2006... CUAO Names Award Winners BEAVERTON, Ore.-Credit Union Association of Oregon has announced the winners of its 2006 awards program. The Volunteer Distinguished Service Award went to Barb Blackmore of Northwest Community Credit Union,...

Every Rare Once In While, A 'Priceless' Idea Is Executed.
December 11, 2006... How often has someone asked you, "Have you seen that TV commercial...," before they launch into a detailed description of the spot's storyline? The problem: they have no idea which advertiser created and paid for the commercial. In other...

How CUs Can Manage Staggering Cost Of Compliance.
December 11, 2006... Regulatory demands - they affect all of us, but the impact varies dramatically depending on the size of the organization. The regulatory burden falls disproportionately heavier on smaller credit unions than it does on larger CUs. This is...

Letter To The Editor: CU Journal Technology Coverage Hits The Mark.(Letter to the editor)
December 11, 2006... Over the past several years, I have not only subscribed to The Credit Union Journal but have had the opportunity to work with The Credit Union Journal on numerous technology related articles (in particular, Kevin Jepson). I want to express my...

Letter To The Editor: What Does 'Modest' Mean? What We Say It Does.(Letter to the editor)
December 11, 2006... For 75 years, the American credit union member has been defining himself and herself without the assistance of bankers or government. And it has been our modest assessment that we are a "working class of people" who raise our families, grow our...

Product & Service.(partnerships)(contracts)(rewards and gift card program)
December 11, 2006... PFCU Partners with CUBC MONTVALE, N.J.-Paragon FCU has joined with CU Business Capital to offer a full range of business services. The complete business program will include business loans/leases and participations, deposit products...

What Credit Unions Say.(website redesigning)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Credit Union Journal's redesigned website includes a survey that changes periodically. Not only does the survey help track credit union views on current events, it will also be used to help The Journal's editorial...

Looking Deep Into Your Wallet. Um, Eyes, Um...(Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union's advertising campaign)
December 11, 2006... SEATTLE, Wash. -- It seems that lately, Seattle Metropolitan CU CEO Robert Harvey can't go anywhere without people giving him a lock-eyed stare. He's happy to respond with a chuckle because he knows that it means they've seen the latest...

NECU Redesigns Its Website.(Northeast Credit Union)(www.necu.org)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Portsmouth, N.H. -- Northeast CU has launched its redesigned website at www.necu.org. The goal, the credit union said, was to make the site easier to navigate, using such features as "Find It Fast" and "Search." Another new feature on...

UNFCU Launches New CUSO.(United Nations Federal Credit Union)(financial and nonfinancial programs)(Credit Union Service Organization )(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... NEW YORK CITY -- United Nations FCU has launched UNFCU Financial Advisors (UNFCU FA), a CUSO dedicated to helping credit unions develop and implement financial and nonfinancial programs for their members. The CUSO will offer Income...

Product & Service.(FundsXpress Financial Network, Inc. partnership with Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union)(Missouri Corporate Credit Union honored with Missouri Quality Award)(CO-OP Financial Services' ATM check imaging certified)
December 11, 2006... Aberdeen, FundsXpress Team AUSTIN, Texas-FundsXpress Financial Network, Inc. and the $586-million Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union (APGFCU) in Maryland, announced the renewal and expansion of their strategic partnership through...

Congress Eyes CU Model for Predatory Loan Bill.(Barney Frank- Massachusetts Congressman )(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Passage of a tough new anti-predatory mortgage bill is expected to be one of the first items of business for the House Financial Institutions Committee in the next Congress. "Getting a good predatory loan bill will be a top...

Kanjorski Expected To Head Securities Panel.(Paul Kanjorski - Pennsylvania Congressman )(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The leadership of the House Financial Services Committee is beginning to take shape, with Pennsylvania Congressman Paul Kanjorski expected to chair the panel's subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored...

Senate To Take Aim At 'Abusive' Credit Card Fees.(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The Senate will make perceived abuses in the credit card market, including rising and hidden fees, one of its first courses of business when it reconvenes next year. Democratic Sen. Carl Levin, who will become chairman of the...

Missouri Bankers: No Deal on FOM Bill, Yet.(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Credit union representatives met again with the bankers to negotiate a bill that would settle their long legal battle over field of membership but were unable to come to an agreement, despite being urged to do so by state...

Fannie Mae Wins Patent On Greenhouse Credits.(Federal National Mortgage Association)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Fannie Mae was awarded a patent for a system to trade greenhouse gas-reduction credits earned by homeowners, securing a foothold in a $22-billion market, while raising concerns that the government-chartered company is overstepping...

People.(new appointments)
December 11, 2006... BECU, Tukwila, Wash., named Stephen Black director of marketing. ESL Federal Credit Union, Rochester, N.Y., announced that Vice President Karen Davis was honored by the National Academy Foundation. The Massachusetts Credit Union League,...

Fugitive Surrenders After 6 Years.(Cynthia Wismiller)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... KOKOMO, Ind. -- A woman suspected of stealing almost $500,000 while servicing credit union and bank ATMs before disappearing six years ago, walked into the police station and gave herself up. Authorities had been searching for Cynthia...

Member Guilty of Katrina Theft.(ASI Federal Credit Union)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- A member of ASI FCU was convicted in federal court for stealing $14,000 from the credit union after its ATMs went offline in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Sehlita Grandpre, 32, kept tapping into the ATM after a...

Western Union Target Of Offer.(acquisition bids)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... DENVER -- Just weeks after becoming a public company again, Western Union has become the target of a so-called mini tender offer from Canadian investment company TRC Capital Corp. The world's leading remittance company said the...

Fledgling Bureau Claims U.S. Patent.(Pay Rent, Build Credit recieved U.S. Patent)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Pay Rent, Build Credit has received a U.S. Patent for an alternative credit rating system that uses commonly recurring bill payments for individuals and small businesses to establish a credit file, credit report and credit...

Scholarship Honors Fallen War Hero.(scholarship fund to army staff)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... DURHAM, N.C. -- Latino Community CU announced the creation of a new scholarship fund to commemorate Misrael Martinez, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who gave his life last month in the Iraq war. Martinez was the first Hispanic soldier from...

They're 'Unwanted' & 'Fed Up:' The Other Underserved Opportunity.(Counter Intelligence Associates-Mike Hales' ideas on business lending)
December 11, 2006... INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- As credit unions continue to struggle with loan growth, more credit unions must consider tapping into member business lending, one expert is urging. "This is a tremendous opportunity, because banks are not...

Those New Products Cost Money. So Charge For Them, Says Analyst.
December 11, 2006... LAS VEGAS-With net interest margin declining and competition increasing, many credit unions have been forced to turn to non-interest income to survive-a fact one consultant applauds. "People say, 'Ooh, fees,' but in the last five years the...

Allegacy Partners With Housing Finance Agency.(Allegacy Federal Credit Union partnerships)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Allegacy Federal Credit Union has entered into a partnership with this state's Housing Finance Agency to promote home ownership among consumers who otherwise would not qualify for a home loan. The Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) program seeks...

National Maxwell, Herring Awards Chosen For 2006.
December 11, 2006... MADISON, Wis. -- The winners of this year's National Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility and Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Awards were recently chosen from among 152 state winners. First place winners of the Dora Maxwell Award include:...

CUNA, WOCCU Welcome International CU Leaders.(Credit Union National Association)(World Council of Credit Unions)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
December 11, 2006... Madison, Wis. -- CUNA and World Council of Credit Unions welcomed credit union leaders from the world's seven largest credit union associations: Canada, Ireland, Australia, the Caribbean, Poland, Brazil and the United States, at meetings this...

Goldenwest Members Get Early Christmas Help.(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... OGDEN, Utah -- Members of Goldenwest FCU got some help with their Christmas shopping this week-a one-time bonus dividend. The pre-Christmas payout represents an additional 5.75% paid for the month of December, based on the average daily...

Veridian CU Makes $15K Financial Literacy Grants.(credit unions)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... WATERLOO, Iowa -- Veridian CU announced yesterday it had awarded $15,000 in financial education grants to five local organizations. They are: Youth Leadership Program for helping low-income and single-parent families to learn team-building...

High School Football Earns Altura CU Rewards.(Altura credit unions)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Altura CU rewarded nine area high schools for their successful football programs with donations of $8,200. The $700-million credit union sponsored the homecoming game at each of the schools with a $500 contribution,...

CO-OP Financial Is Eying New England Markets.(contracts)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... MARLBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England CU Services LLC, a CUSO owned by the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island credit union leagues, announced a deal to market the CO-OP Financial Services ATM network to the 270 credit unions in the three...

NJCUL Hosts 1,000 At Its 72nd Annual Convention.(New Jersey Credit Union League)(Conference news)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- The New Jersey CU League's 72nd Annual Meeting and Convention drew nearly 1,000 people this year, where such luminaries the captain of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal-winning U.S. Ice Hockey Team to "Bob, The Credit Union...

Mountain America Keeps Health Care Costs Low.(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... SALT LAKE CITY -- Mountain America Credit Union boasts five years without an increase in health insurance premiums. Mountain America participates in a variety of programs and activities to promote health and wellness, including: *...