SCMS Creates Advocacy ROCKS!
DALLAS-Seeking to take a "different tack" with their Advocacy Class, students at Southwest CUNA Management School (SCMS) wanted to inspire credit union leaders to become credit union activists. The result, a new class, "Advocacy ROCKS!," which featured practical hands-on exercises for meeting with elected representatives, also probed the hottest issues facing credit unions, including the Treasury Blueprint, proposed reforms to overdraft and interchange, and other bottom line CU issues. The class was developed and lead by the Texas Credit Union League's grassroots director, Jim Phelps, and advocacy communications director, Winter Prosapio.
For info: www.cunaschool.org.
$2M 'Freedom Checks' Offered
YORK, Penn.-First Capital FCU reported it has now distributed $2 million in Freedom Checks. The CU created the Freedom Check program in November, in which blank checks are given to members to be signed over to an auto dealer when members purchase a car. The check triggers the member's pre-approved loan.
Zook To Succeed Penn At MaPS
SALEM, Ore.-After nearly 30 years as part of the MaPS Credit Union family, CEO Dan Penn has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2008.
MaPS has grown to an asset size of more than $270 million and a membership of 37,000 under Penn's stewardship. The board has appointed Mark Zook as Penn's successor. Zook, who joined MaPS in 1992, currently serves as COO of MaPS CU and CEO of MaPS Service Agency, the CU's CUSO.
Operation Best Wishes Honored
SAN DIMAS, Calif.-Operation Best Wishes, the annual holiday program sponsored on behalf of America's credit unions through a partnership of the Defense Credit Union Council, Overland Studios and WesCorp, has been named a recipient of an Award or Distinction during the 14th Annual Communicator Awards. The annual competition honors the best in advertising, corporate communications, PR, and identity work for print, video, interactive, and audio. Entries were judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. Operation Best Wishes visits military-affiliated CUs that are experiencing heavy deployment among their membership.
For info: www.operationbestwishes.com.
NYIB Recognizes Leaders
LAS VEGAS-During its annual conference here, the National Youth Involvement Board honored several leaders. Among them: Juli Lewis, youth marketing manager at Suncoast Schools FCU, Tampa, who was named Outstanding Delegate of the Year; Dawn Lindley, director of marketing and financial literacy for the Virginia league, who was named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year; Danielle Scott, financial educational leader at LA DOTD FCU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, received the Robert L. Curry Scholarship and Award, and LeAnn Achtenberg, VP-marketing at Anoka Hennepin CU in Coon Rapids, Minn., who was presented with the inaugural NYIB Advocate Award.
Texas CU Dept. Gets Another 12 Yrs.
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas-The Texas Sunset Commission has Texas Credit Union Department continue to exist for 12 more years. The Sunset Commission is charged with reviewing state agencies to determine if any should be eliminated.
CUES Wins 3 APEX Awards
MADISON, Wis.-CUES has won three Awards of Excellence in the 2008 APEX Awards. CUES Nexus Connection was honored in the blogs and forums category; the 2008 CUES Annual Convention brochure received an award of excellence in the meeting and events materials category, and CUES Employee Benefits Planning materials were honored in the employee and benefit materials category.
Air Force Honors Andrews FCU
SUITLAND, Md.-Andrews FCU has been recognized by the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) as a Community Partner of the Year. Nominations from surrounding Air Force bases were submitted and evaluated based on their focus to enhance the lives of those who serve our country and their families. AFCU has supported the AFDW for many years by sponsoring numerous events on Andrews Air Force base including the Annual Wing/Services and Golf Tournament, the Andrews Air Force Base Education Fair, the Joint Services Open House/Air Show and over 20 other programs.
ING CEO Headlines Symposium
MADISON, Wis.-Arkadi Kuhlmann, CEO of ING Direct USA, will be the opening speaker at the CUES Symposium: A CEO/Chairman Exchange, Feb. 1-5, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, Frigate Bay, St. Kitts. According to CUES, Kuhlmann will lead a nearly four-hour interactive discussion. In eight years of operation, ING has attracted approximately six-million depositors and $80 billion in assets.
For info: www.cues.org.
CU Proves It Has HEART
SAN JOSE, Calif.-Meriwest Credit Union's wholly owned subsidiary, Meriwest Mortgage, in partnership with the Housing Endowment and Regional Trust (HEART) of San Mateo County, recently completed the first loan in HEART's Opening Doors Homebuyer Assistance Program. The program helps qualified moderate-income families buy their first home in the area or allows those working in San Mateo County and living elsewhere to move closer to their place of work. It pairs a Meriwest Mortgage first mortgage with a below-market rate second loan, offered through HEART.
For info: www.heartofsmc.org/open.
CCUF Donates $60K To Camp
GREENSBORO, N.C.-The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation (CCUF) donated $60,000 to the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C., which is for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. The donation was made in the form of $50 gas cards to all 1,200 campers' families to help offset the cost of driving to the camp. The CCUF also provided $1,500 to assist those traveling in group to go to and from the airport.
Mid-Atlantic Gets New CEO
MIDDLETOWN, Penn.-Jay R. Murray has taken over as CEO of Mid-Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union. Mr Murray joined Mid-Atlantic in 1991, and most recently served as president and chief operating officer. He succeeds Ed Fox. Mid-Atlantic has relationships with more than 1,200 credit unions.
Service CU Offers Disaster Loans
PORTSMOUTH, N.H.-Service Credit Union is offering a Disaster Relief Assistance Loan to assist any members affected by violent storms that struck the state. The loan is offered at a rate of 5.49% and maximum amount of $40,000. Payments can be deferred for 90 days and have maximum pay period of 60 months.
St. Mary's Ranked 7th By NHHFA
MANCHESTER, N.H.-The New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority has announced its top ten lenders for 2007, and St. Mary's Bank is ranked seventh among the 49 lenders who provide individual housing loans through the Authority. The ranking is based upon the number of loans that a lender has provided to first-time homebuyers over the course of the year. This is the second year in a row that St. Mary's Bank has been ranked in the top 10.
Bakk Speaks At MCUN Conference
BRAINERD, Minn.-Minnesota Sen. Tom Bakk was on hand for the Minnesota CU Network's Fall Conference. The chairman of the state Senate Taxes Committee is a strong supporter of credit unions, the league said, noting he is a member of Virginia CO-OP CU in Virgnia, Minn. During his address, Bakk discussed workforce development, unemployment and the importance of credit unions getting involved in the upcoming elections.
"I encourage you to introduce yourself to the candidates [running for election]-nothing is more valuable to your organizations than developing these relationships," Bakk said.
Diamond CU Surpasses $300M
POTTSTOWN, Penn.-Diamond CU has reported that it has reached $305 million in total assets, which positions them as the 17th largest credit union out of 600 in Pennsylvania. Three and a half years ago, Diamond CU had $202 in assets. In addition, total loans, shares and membership experienced growth.
Online Glitch Strikes Merged CU
SAN DIEGO-On the first day of operations following the merger of First Future CU and California Coast CU, members encountered problems with accessing their online banking. While California Coast CU is the surviving name, the merger included a move to the online banking system used by First Future, and required members to set up new user names and reset passwords, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, which provided coverage of the problems. Published reports indicated members had to wait anywhere from five to 25 minutes when calling the phone center.
Member Receives $1,500 For 'Want'
SPOKANE, Wash.-A Washington business owner is getting some help to pay down her credit card debt from her CU. In a recent essay contest, Numerica CU asked members: "What do you want?" Lisa Calahan, a business owner was selected from 35 entrants who sent in essays describing their wants. Calahan is receiving $1,500 to chew up some of her debt.
Every entrant received a $5 coffee card for their participation.
For info: www.numericacu.com.(c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved.http://www.cujournal.com/ http://www.sourcemedia.com/
