BankThink

Despite the increased media attention and numerous forms of protection out on the marketplace, identity thieves continue to wreak havoc on businesses and their employees and customers. And there are no signs of stopping.

I wouldn't look for a show called "CSI: Credit Union" on television anytime soon, but that's not because it wouldn't be Must-See TV.

As I've read the various articles and opinions on the financial state of the corporate credit unions I'm struck by the lack of questions about the quality of the corporates' investment portfolio. As I read the comments of the corporate officials and representatives I get the feeling that there isn't complete transparency in their comments. I hope I'm wrong, but I offer up the following questions that I believe if they were answered fully and completely by the corporate credit unions they would clear the air on what is in the corporates' investment portfolios that could cause risk to the corporates and more importantly to their member credit unions in the future.

On Aug. 11, 2008, Credit Union Journal online reported a story regarding San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union's delay in processing payroll for the City of San Diego, our primary sponsor group. Below is an effort to clarify the day's events and provide what may be helpful advice to other credit unions finding themselves in similar situations.

As we gather for NAFCU's 2008 Congressional Caucus, many of the issues facing credit unions have not changed dramatically since last year-but the market dynamics certainly have.

Credit unions are unique financial entities, which exist to serve the core principles of membership involvement and control. In a post-Bear Stearns world, financial regulations and governance practices of CUs surely come under intense scrutiny as they will for all financial institutions.

The scene: the University of Credit Union's football team's locker room prior to the 2008 season opener. The locker room is nearly 100 years old, and although it's had extensive renovations over the years, if you look hard enough you can see vestiges of its history. The team huddles up around Head Coach Alfonse Co-op, who has his leg up on a bench, and he leans over with his arms on his leg is a pose he had once seen in a photo by legendary Coach Ed "Working Man" Filene.

You know you need to leverage the electronic banking channel to grow your credit union. But what you may not know is just how to do it and what the successful providers of e-banking know.

Once a credit union has been able to acquire a member, it must do whatever it takes to keep them as a repetitive user of its services, and ensure "PFI" (primary financial institution) status.

As the economy continues to show signs of weakness, credit unions increasingly face the prospect, if not the actual event, of a credit union member filing for protection from creditors under the Bankruptcy Code. When this happens, a credit union may be faced with several interrelated issues and questions: