Aaron Passman

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The "polar vortex" has made this winter miserable for much of the country, but some members at ElecTel Cooperative FCU here may be perfectly happy to have the cold weather last just a bit longer -- six weeks longer, to be exact.

While most observers say that nearly any credit union can find success with signature lending -- closed-end, unsecured loans -- some of those that have the most success are CUs that tailor them to a specific niche.

YUMA, Ariz. -- AEA FCU, placed into conservatorship by NCUA in 2010, improved its financial performance in 2013, finishing the year with a net income of $5.23 million.

Signature loans are offered by the majority of credit unions across the nation, but it's hard to tell from the marketing of this traditional CU product.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Credit Union Administration appointed Lynn Markgraf to serve as Associate Regional Director for Programs in its Region I office.

YORK, Pa. -- A parolee is back in jail after attempting to defraud a credit union in order to pay back debts incurred during a previous prison term.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Cybersecurity risk is set to be a critical area of focus for NCUA in 2014.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- A credit union here partnered with a CU in Pennsylvania in an unusual move.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- NCUA approved a strategic plan for the next four years during its first board meeting of 2014 Thursday, including outlining priorities for the agency through 2017.

YORK, Pa. -- A parolee is back in jail after attempting to defraud a credit union in order to pay back debts incurred during a previous prison term.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte Metro CU here is honoring a trio of employees with nearly a century of service between them.

TEXARKANA, Texas -- Red River Employees FCU here has been approved to expand to a community charter.

RADCLIFF, Ky. -- Longtime Fort Knox FCU CEO William J. Rissell has announced that he will retire from on July 1.

YORK, Pa. -- First Capital FCU here is touting its recent efforts at stopping an identity thief in his tracks.

TAMPA -- PowerNet CU has split the role of president and chief executive officer.

WASHINGTON -- A spending agreement approved by Congress late Monday included several CUNA-recommended credit union priorities, according to a statement released by the trade association.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- When it comes to credit union growth this year, the good news is that there are plenty of prospects. The bad news is that there's not much low-hanging fruit.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The best growth bets for 2014 may already be in your credit union's backyard.

Could wedding rings, caskets and dentures be among the keys to credit union growth this year?

AMES, Iowa -- Ace Community CU, a $34 million CU here, has announced plans to merge into $389 million Community Choice CU, based in Johnston, Iowa.