ON DEADLINE

Ex-WesCorp ExecBurrell Settles With NCUA:LOS ANGELES-NCUA last week signed a settlement deal with Robert Burrell, the chief investment officer of WesCorp FCU prior to the collapse of the one-time $34-billion corporate. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. NCUA is not expected to receive any financial compensation, but has reached an agreement to ban Burrell from CUs, similar to the deal reached with former WesCorp executive Timothy Sidley, who was the corporate's chief risk officer. Both Burrell and NCUA have agreed to pay their own legal expenses and to drop all counterclaims related to the spectacular corporate failure.Filene Rolls Out Credit CardPilot On Amazon.comMADISON, Wis.-The Filene Research Institute has rolled out a pilot program in which CUs can offer credit cards online through Amazon.com's Credit Central storefront. CUs are being charged a one-time fee by Filene, based on assets, to participate for one year in the pilot. Shoppers at Amazon.com will see online banner ads for credit cards that can be clicked on for more info; Amazon.com is providing ZIP code search capability. Shoppers that purchase cards online will be able to review their experience online, similar to other Amazon.com purchases.'Responsible Banking' Proposal OKdPORTLAND, Ore.-The Portland City Commission last week approved a "responsible banking" proposal to deposit city funds in local credit unions and banks, the second major West Coast city to pass a local banking initiative in the past week. Portland's Responsible Banking Resolution calls for depositing $250,000 of the city's money in each of 10 Oregon banks and CUs. The initiative will change Portland's current investment policy, which blocks investments in CUs. Los Angeles earlier passed a similar ordinance this week.Ariz., Colo., Wyo. Foundations MergeDENVER-Three state CU foundations have merged. The Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming leagues, which already operate under a joint league structure as the Mountain West Credit Union Association, have merged their respective foundations, to be known as the Mountain West CU Foundation.CUNA Mutual Retirees' Suit RejectedWASHINGTON-The Supreme Court has rejected a request by a group of former CUNA Mutual Group employees for appeal of a lower court ruling that said the credit union insurer was within its rights to cancel payments on the retirees' healthcare costs. The lower court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, ruled last year that CUNA Mutual did not violate provisions of the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act, known as ERISA, when it stopped paying retiree healthcare costs in 2008, including to non-union employees who had agreed to trade their accrued unused sick leave to cover their portion. The change in retirees' healthcare policy allowed CUNA Mutual to book a $120-million gain in 2008 by removing this big liability from its books.CUES Calls For NominationsMADISON, Wis.-The Credit Union Executives Society (CUES) is calling for nominations for its 2012 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec competition. Offered through a partnership with DDJ Myers, the contest is seeking emerging leaders 35 and under from within the credit union community. Several changes have been made to the program this year, including eliminating geographic areas as a criterion for finalists. Now, the 15 applicants with the most public votes will go straight to the finalist stage. All 15 will also receive executive coaching sessions from DDJ Myers. The five finalists will also receive airfare, accommodations and registration to CUES' CEO/Exeutive Team Network Nov. 4-7 in Manalapan, Fla. Deadline for nominations is June 15. For info: www.ntcue.com.ATFCU Launches Mobile Bill PayALCOA, Tenn.-Alcoa Tenn FCU last week became the first to launch PSCU's Mobile Bill Pay, a new service that allows existing PayLynx Bill Pay users to make one-time payments, manage pending payments and view payment history using their mobile devices. After an initial roll-out the credit union plans to launch TV commercials on its mobile offering at the beginning of the summer.OH CUs Make $133.2M In MBLsCOLUMBUS, Ohio-Ohio's CUs made $133.2 million in member business loans during 2011, a 23.7% increase over 2010, according to data released by the Ohio league. The OCUL said 105 of the state's 377 CUs reported outstanding business loan balances, representing a total of $430.5 million in outstanding balances statewide.CU Centers, CO-OP Financial Team UpINDIANAPOLIS-Credit Union Centers said it is expanding beyond its shared branch network and will begin offering credit unions delivery channel products and services through a partnership with CO-OP Financial.Western FCU Signs With cuautocouponMANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.-Western FCU has signed with cuautocoupon to offer its members coupons toward an auto purchase. cuautocoupon said it pairs car-hunting members with their individual CU's lending department. Members fill out a short online form and are given immediate access to a coupon that can be redeemed at a local participating dealership. This coupon will entitle the member to receive special discounts off the vehicle purchase price.