Ray Birch

DUMFRIES, Va. — A credit union to serve professional and amateur athletes, and their families, has received preliminary charter approval from NCUA, according to the CU's organizer.

WASHINGTON — Despite over 1,000 letters reaching NCUA Wednesday morning, CUNA and NAFCU contend the risk-based capital rule comment period has been too short and may lead to a final rule that would negatively impact credit unions.

PLANO, Texas — Credit union CEO confidence in the economy has climbed to its highest level in more than six years, according to Catalyst Corporate FCU's Q1 CEO Confidence Survey.

The NCUA is fully aware of credit unions' concerns about its proposed risk-based capital rule, including discretionary examiner authority to set capital standards and the rule's impact on some shops' business lending.

WICHITA, Kans. — Could $10 million in missing deposits have caused the liquidation of Parsons Pittsburg CU here?

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — As comment letters on the proposed risk-based capital rule flood into NCUA, the agency said it may consider delaying the rule's effective date.

LOVES PARK, Ill. — Police are still searching for an armed robber who discharged his weapon inside the main office of Rockford Bell Credit Union Thursday before fleeing from the CU with an undisclosed amount of money.

Business diversity, fee income and greater operational efficiency are the three main bottom-line drivers at corporate credit unions these days.

MOORE, Okla. — One year after a devastating EF-5 tornado leveled this town and destroyed the Tinker FCU branch here, employees who survived that day — riding out the storm in the CU's vault — are back at work.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As checking rates finally begin to inch upward this year, CUs are well ahead of banks in the average yield paid on checking products, according to GoBankingRates.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. — NCUA's proposal to amend the agency's chartering and field of membership rules could slow indirect lending at some credit unions, say industry insiders.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A jury in federal court here has convicted construction company owner Svetislav Vujovic on 14 counts for his role in the collapse of St. Paul Croatian FCU, one of the largest credit union failures in U.S. history.

Five Star Credit Union in Dothan, Ala., has received approval from the Alabama Credit Union Administration to buy Flint River National Bank in Camilla, Ga.

WATERLOO, Iowa — Ashworth Credit Union and Veridian Credit Union plan to merge.

DOTHAN, Ala. — The proposed sale of Flint River National Bank to the $260 million Five Star CU here is a step away from completion after the Alabama CU Administration last week approved the deal.

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Two employees of Oshkosh Central CU have been suspended following an investigation by the state's credit union regulator that has uncovered serious financial irregularities at the $28 million credit union.

LAUREL, Md. — Jeffrey Goff has been named CEO of the $23 million WSSC FCU.

COVINA, Calif. — Boards needing better skills, CEO comp plans calling for some serious adjustments and solutions to keep the front-line staff at the CU are just some of the hurdles facing human resources executives today.

CINCINNATI — As banks cut back on branches, credit unions are stepping up their interest in bricks-and-mortar service delivery.

TAOS, N.M. — After removing confidential credit union documents out of an unlocked courier van, a would-be thief was foiled by an off-duty police officer eating at a local drive-in restaurant here who spotted the alleged burglary in progress.