CU Trade Groups Join FOM Suit In Penn.
WASHINGTON-Several credit union trade associations were approved by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania last week to become a party to a lawsuit filed against NCUA over an FOM decision.
CUNA, NAFCU, and the Pennsylvania CU Association had petitioned the court to intervene in the lawsuit brought by the American Bankers Association (ABA) against NCUA for approving FOM expansions for three Pennsylvania credit unions: the $1-billion Members 1st FCU, the $100-million Americhoice FCU, and the $78.5-million New Cumberland FCU. The Department of Justice, which is representing NCUA in the suit, has filed a response in the case asking that it be dismissed.
Cell phone To Also Act As Credit Card
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.-Motorola announced last week it has added a new feature to its cell phones that will allow consumers to use the phone as a credit card.
The M-Wallet will allow users to pay bills, purchase products and transfer money using their cell phones. Initially the service will be limited to fund transfer payments, but Motorola expects to upgrade the technology so customers can use the M-Wallet to pay for items at the checkout counter or participating stores.
The checkout capability will require participating merchants to upgrade their cash register scanners to recognize cell phone transactions. M-Wallet software can be downloaded by consumers and merchants from the Internet. It will also merchants to market goods and services directly to a customers' cell phone.
Shared Branching Ads To Air
PITTSBURGH, Penn.-Representatives of several credit unions and of the Pennsylvania CU Association were meeting last week in the studios of the local ABC affiliate WTAE television to map out a new advertising campaign for the area's shared branching network. Plans call for a new series of ads for the Pennsylvania CU Service Centers to run for six months, starting at the end of February. The new campaign will follow a current promotional effort that ran for six months on local TV and the Internet. Participating credit unions include: A-K Valley FCU, Clearview FCU, Omega FCU, Pittsburgh Central FCU, West-AirComm FCU, Allegheny Co. U.S. Government EFCU, Visionary FCU and Westmoreland Community FCU.
Allegacy Forms RE Agency
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-Allegacy FCU has created its own full-service real estate agency for members. Allegacy Realty LLC will be based in the credit union's branch here and will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegacy Services LLC, the credit union's CUSO.
Corporates Hear Siren Call
MIDDLETOWN, Penn.-Three corporate credit unions have partnered to become the Platinum Sponsor behind the third annual Police Officers' CU Conference. Corporate Central CU, Corporate One FCU, and Mid-Atlantic Corporate FCU will help back the conference, which will be held during National Law Enforcement Week in Washington in May. The meeting will be the third for the group of credit unions, which has identified 70 credit unions nationally with the word police in their name.
SUCU Adds Identity Theft 911
ST. GEORGES, Utah-Southern Utah CU said it is the latest CU to offer its members free identity theft prevention and resolution services through Identity Theft 911, Scottsdale, Ariz. The company's identity theft services include a personal advocate to help resolve identity theft issues; systematic notification of credit bureaus, agencies and businesses; preparation of needed documents; and a year of credit monitoring after identity theft.
