Michael Bartlett

Hours after credit unions and other financial institutions were told by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council that they needed to find fast fixes to the "Heartbleed" bug, a new vulnerability that potentially could affect online and mobile banking, CUs were springing into action.

Two of the largest credit union service organizations, both based in California, report that business is good, despite numerous financial and regulatory challenges.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Credit unions frequently cite compliance as one of their biggest burdens. And now, so are credit union service organizations.

Credit unions approved a slightly higher percentage of small business loans last month, as approval rates ticked up to 43.6% in March from 43.3% the previous month.

CHICAGO — It took five years, but consumers finally are making their mortgage payments before credit card payments, according to recent analysis from TransUnion.

Though the "Great Recession" may be over, its shadow haunts thousands of consumers whose credit scores took a hit due to job loss, missed payments or even a strategic default.

LAS VEGAS — Even in this beaten-down housing market some home owners actually have equity, meaning home equity loans — a lending category that largely was forgotten in the aftermath of the housing crisis — are coming back.

With mortgage interest rates hovering above historic lows and competition fierce, home lenders are scratching and clawing for every loan they can close.

WASHINGTON — With cyber attacks on the rise, members of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) Wednesday issued warnings to financial institutions.

David Doss, president and CEO of $1.6 billion Arizona State Credit Union in Phoenix, was one of five new appointees to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Twelfth District's Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC).

SAN FRANCISCO — SF Police Credit Union made it official for Eddie Young last week, announcing he is the new head of the $730 million institution. Young had been serving as acting president and CEO since September 2013.

If Mark McWatters is, as expected, confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the newest member of the NCUA board, credit unions will be getting someone with a strong background in both law and business, according to colleagues who have worked with him.

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Roger Michaelis, longtime president and CEO of $509 million iQ Credit Union, said he plans to retire in October after 29 years of service.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Point West Credit Union is leveraging the popularity of a local restaurant as an enticement for its members to use its new mobile deposit service.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — After switching to a new analytics vendor, $16.8 billion Pentagon Federal Credit Union reports that it has improved the application process for its branded credit card, increasing the conversion rate on applications.

Darigold Federal Credit Union has taken the first steps to merge into Sound Credit Union, pending regulatory approval and a vote by Darigold's members.

Robert Miller will succeed Steve Post as CEO of VSECU on March 31, the $618 million credit union announced.

After a winter of extreme weather in the Midwest, $2.4 billion Veridian Credit Union has set aside $3 million to offer disaster assistance loans to members who suffered property damage or other hardships.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Credit unions continued to grow assets, loans and leases, and shares and deposits in 2013 — once again led by the largest institutions — according to new analysis by SNL Financial.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Temporary Corporate Credit Union Stabilization Fund received a fifth consecutive clean audit opinion, NCUA said Monday.