The NEWS LEADER in British Columbia, B.C. profiled the growth of Westminster Savings Credit Union, which has grown to $1.52 billion in assets, up from $1.31 million one year earlier. The story noted that CEO Barry Forbes credits staff for the growth, and that Forbes has had coffee or lunch with nearly every one of the CU's 400 employees. Forbes hosts regular "CEO luncheons" where he invited 20 to 25 employees to lunch to listen to them, the News Leader reported, where no managers are invited and Forbes doesn't take notes.
The Fontana Herald News provided coverage of a trip to China by credit union executives in California who were part of a larger group organized by the World Council of Credit Unions. The delegation met with their Chinese counterparts. The news report quoted California league President Bill Cheney who referred to the trip as "an incredible experience."
The Courier Mail in Queensland, Australia provided coverage of an ongoing "shake-up in the credit union sector" in a report on a merger between Queenslanders Credit Union and Discovery Credit Union. When completed, the combined institution will have $400 million in assets. The story included mention of "warnings from many bankers, including Bank of Queensland chief David Liddy, that a wave of mergers and acquisitions will follow." The new group will be called Queenslanders Personal Banking.
