Corporate governance

ORLANDO, Fla.-With Florida seeing so much damage as a result of the housing bubble's burst, it's not surprising to hear Orlando FCU CFO Suzanne Weinstein tag her hopes for an economic recovery in the second half of 2011 to the housing market.

LOMBARD, Ill.-Unfortunately, now may be the best credit unions feel about the economy in 2011, according to one analyst who predicts things will take a turn for the worse in second half of the year.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Four things should be on credit unions' radar in the second half of the year, according to The Members Group.

WILMINGTON, N.C.-Slow economic progress in the last two quarters will actually increase the emphasis on debit this year, predicts one analyst.

RALEIGH, N.C.-As credit unions vie for bank customers' checking business, what really attracts the accounts, according to one CU, is making switching checking accounts easy for members.

WICHITA, Kan. – Central Star CU has created a CUSO that will offer mortgages and insurance.

SUITLAND, Md. – Andrews FCU joined credit union service organization Potomac Business Services LLC as an equity member May 19.

MADISON, Wis.-A team of professionals from the credit union and finance communities has created a mutual fund that aims to make it easier for CUs to package and sell member business loans.

ANAHEIM, Calif.-There are lessons in management to be had for credit unions from a man who has taken more than 10,000 trips on Disneyland's Jungle Cruise.

ANAHEIM, Calif.-Even if you haven't flown it, you're likely aware the Virgin America brand has a certain "cool" factor to it. What you may be less aware of is the airline's marketing budget is relatively small, especially compared to competitors'.

ANAHEIM, Calif.-When he first rode a skateboard he crashed into some bushes. Now he's introduced to audiences as a "brand."

ANAHEIM, Calif.-A powerful idea can overcome anything, according to one expert. Yet sadly, in most organizations, including credit unions, those ideas lie dormant and undiscovered.

ANAHEIM, Calif.-For Land's End, respected for its customer service, it all begins by "thinking about the person on the other end of our decisions."

ANAHEIM, Calif.-At the age of 23, Nancy Lublin came home one day to find in the mail an envelope. Inside it was a check for $5,000 representing an inheritance from a grandfather.

ANAHEIM, Calif.-What is the personality of your CU? It's not a question to be lightly regarded, according to Susan Packard, the co-founder and former COO of HGTV, who offered CU leaders several different views on what it means to build a brand.

ANAHEIM, Calif.-If you think you're acting your age by simply not tweeting or engaging in other media, what you're really acting like is a poor leader, according to several people.

SALT LAKE CITY – Virginia’s Chartway FCU, still breaking into the Utah market, awarded members of its recently acquired HeritageWest and SouthWest Community credit unions $21,000 in financial gifts through the month of April as get-acquainted gifts.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Technology CU has introduced a new program aimed at providing financial services high tech workers who have recently come to Silicon Valley and foreign nationals who have established residency or gained citizenship.

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County’s CU is offering members a $50 reward for opening new accounts and an additional $50 for referring new members as part of a new branch opening in Lake Forest.

KAHULUI, Hawaii – Valley Isle Community FCU said yesterday it has agreed to absorb Kulia Ohana FCU, creating the Hawaiian island’s second-largest credit union with $103 million in assets.