Alliant Unveils Money Matters
CHICAGO-Alliant CU is holding a contest called "Money Matters" with a grand prize of $1,000. The program is part of ACU's Tip of the Week program, and collects tips on helping people reach their financial goals. The Tip of the Week is posted every Tuesday at www.alliantcreditunion.org.
$195K For Penn. Flood Victims
HARRISBURG, Penn.-The Pennsylvania CU Association and the Pennsylvania CU Foundation reported that 239 CU employees and members across 35 CUs in the state were the recipients of nearly $195,000 in disaster relief flood aid. The National CU Foundation's CU Aid Disaster Relief Fund contributed $45,000 of the relief funds.
Races Seek To Get A Leg Up
ONTARIO, Calif.-Credit Union Miracle Day, title sponsor of the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run in Washington, has entered into a partnership with CUs in California and Nevada to support Credit Unions for Kids and Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals by bringing together the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run and the Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run in Sacramento, Calif. on April 1, 2012. Officials for both groups said that by holding the races on the same day, they will be better positioned to leverage sponsorship support and media attention.
Fundraising Efforts Recognized
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.-Financial Services Centers of America has chosen Kinecta Alternative Financial Solutions as a recipient of its 2011 Activa Award. The award honors outstanding examples of the positive community involvement activities of its members throughout the country, and recognized KALS for its efforts to support and raise awareness of Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Kinecta raised more than $33,500 for CHLA through its 46 Nix Financial retail locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
CU Member Wins $10,000
CLEARWATER, Fla.-A member identified as "Robert L." of Achieva CU won the $10,000 grand prize as part of a sweepstakes for online bill payment subscribers. Some 135 credit unions participated in the sweepstakes, which attracted 4.5 million entries. A first prize of a $2,000 Montrose Travel Certificate was awarded, as were two second place prizes of a 16 GB Apple iPad and iPad case.
Guidance Offered Belize CUs
SAN IGNACIO, Belize-Brian Turner, director of Advisory Services for Catalyst Strategic Solutions, a unit of Catalyst Corporate, addressed the Belize CU League's annual meeting as part of an ongoing relationship that Catalyst Corporate forged with the Belize league more than five years ago. Turner's presentation focused on basic financial management concepts and balance sheet strategies. Turner said the most interesting aspect of the discussion focused on pricing in Belize, where there is a tradition of charging 1% per month (12% annually) on all forms of loans. Also notable: the biggest expense for Belizian credit unions is the cost of security.
True Named CEO At FORUM
INDIANAPOLIS-Doug True has been named CEO of FORUM Credit Union. True has been with FORUM for more than 20 years, holding numerous positions, including chief lending officer and technology officer, and also helping to found FORUM Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of FORUM CU, where he served as president.
Founders Pays $10M Bonus
FLORENCE, S.C.-Founders FCU has paid a $10 million bonus dividend to its membership, its largest ever. FFCU has returned more than $30 million to members over the past 11 years. FFCU reminded members that bank customers never see such a bonus.
Lending Council Elects Exec Committee
MADISON, Wis.-The CUNA Lending Council has elected its executive committee. Aaron Bresko, VP-lending at BECU in Tukwila, Wash. remains as council; Bill Vogeney, SVP/CLO with Ent FCU in Colorado Springs, Colo. remains as vice chair. Jason Osterhage, SVP/CLO with Delta Employees CU, Atlanta, was elected as secretary treasurer. Two others were elected to terms on the board: Stacy Fifield, VP consumer lending with Travis CU in Vacaville, Calif., and Chris Oldag, EVP/COO with City County CU, Margate, Fla.
NCUA Bans Trio; Complies With Order
ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA has issued prohibition orders against:
* Melissa Barajas, a former employee of San Antonio FCU convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, five years probation, and ordered to pay restitution of $56,423.
* Donna Gonzalez, a former employee of San Antonio FCU was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 15 months in prison, three years probation, and ordered to pay restitution of $56,826.36.
* Cheryl J. Watson, formerly affiliated with Southern CU, Chattanooga, Tenn., consented to the prohibition order and agreed to comply with all of its terms to settle and resolve NCUA's claims against her.
Separately, NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz issued a statement saying the agency is now in full compliance with President Obama's Executive Order to ensure that agencies design cost-effective regulations to promote economic growth and job creation.
Community 1st Absorbs N.H.I.
OTTUMWA, Iowa-The $359-million Community 1st Credit Union has absorbed via merger the $2.2 million M.H.I. Credit Union, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The latter will continue to operate its branch inside the Mental Health Institute.
