Nominations Now Being Accepted
MADISON, Wis.-The World Council of Credit Unions is seeking nominations for its Distinguished Service Award, the international CU system's highest honor. The winner will be recognized at the 2012 World CU Conference in July in Poland.
For info: www.woccu.org.
More Special Dividends Announced
BATON ROUGE, La.-Credit unions across the country continue to announce special year-end bonuses and interest-rate rebates for 2011. Pelican State CU here is paying a $172,000 bonus. Meanwhile, Dannemora FCU, Dannemora, N.Y., has paid a bonus dividend of $226,000, the 18th year it has made such a payment. In Battle Creek, Mich., Omni Community CU has paid its fourth annual "Cashback Rebate," while DATCU Credit Union, Denton, Texas, has paid a bonus of $364,000. In Yuba City, Calif., Sierra Central CU has paid a $1-million bonus.
Numerous CUs Name New CEOs...
DECAUTUR, Ill.-ADM CU has named Ann Wildman, president of Community Healthcare CU in Urbana, as president and CEO of the $16-million CU. Wildman succeeds Don Tewell, who retired Dec. 31. In Sayre, N.Y., Guthrie FCU has named John Savelli as president and CEO of the $60-million credit union. The $450-million University of Michigan CU has named Tiffany Ford, formerly with Michigan State University FCU, as its new CEO. In Hauppauge, N.Y., Island FCU has named Bret W. Sears as its new president/CEO, replacing Robert J. Dethlefsen, who retired after 34 years with IFCU. Sears had been VP/CFO. In Wood River, Ill., Shell Community FCU has named Gregory Lyons as its new president, replacing Kathy Swearingin, who retired.
...While 1 CEO Will Lead 2
COLUMBUS, Ohio-The $65-million Western CU here has named a new CEO-who will also remain CEO of the credit union he currently oversees. Western CU said it has agreed to a management agreement with Powerco CU and its CEO, Michael B. Shafer, who will also take on the management duties of WCU.
'Musings' Blog Is Launched
ARLINGTON, Va.-NAFCU has launched a new blog, "Musings from the CU Suite," at www.cusuitemusings.com. It is authored by NAFCU SVP/COO Anthony Demangone, and is designed to "provide useful insights and fresh perspectives to help credit union executives, branch managers and up-and-coming managers thrive."
Member Answers Door, Wins $25K
MESQUITE, Texas-Thomas Haskins, a member of Neighborhood CU, received a surprise $25,000 gift from NCU as the result of its savings contest. NCU CEO Chet Kimmell and SVP Carolyn Jordan used a surprise presentation to give Haskins the oversized check. Haskins is a retired clerk with the U.S. Postal Service, and won the prize as part of a contest aimed at boosting member savings habits.
Expanded Financial Coaching In Mont.
HELENA, Mont.-Under the direction of Montana Credit Unions for Community Development and with a Financial Education Grant from the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) and a grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture, the MCUCD has established a program offering Montana CUs an affordable avenue to have one or more staff members become trained financial counselors/coaches. To date, 14 of the state's 57 CUs have had at least one person complete the training.
Credit Unions May Get 1st Saint
SOPOT, Poland-The international credit union community may soon have its first saint. Franciszek Stefczyk, credited with starting Poland's first CUs in addition to numerous other altruistic endeavors in the early 20th century, has been nominated by Poland's Catholic Church for beatification, the first step necessary before sainthood. The CUs Stefczyk created flourished until 1939, when Nazi forces shuttered them during the occupation of Poland. Today, Poland's largest CU is named after Stefczyk, while numerous other CUs participate in a shared model that operates under the Stefczyk brand.
CFPB Releases Mortgage Guidance
WASHINGTON-The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released its Mortgage Origination Examination Procedures, which it said will serve as "a field guide for CFPB examiners looking at mortgage originators in both the bank and nonbank sectors of the industry." For details: www.cfpb.gov.
Jeanne D'Arc Marking 100th
LOWELL, Mass.-The $920-million Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Feb. 12, kicking off a year-long celebration. It has also introduced an anniversary logo, which incorporates spindles from former textile mills to illustrate the number 100, is designed to recognize both Jeanne D'Arc's history as well as the industrial history of its birth place.
NHCU, C.H.H. Complete Merger
Torrington, Conn.-Northwest Hills CU here said it has completed its merger of C.H.H. Credit Union, which serves employees of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and other facilities.
Callies Retires After 45 Years
ALTON, Ill.-Laclede Community CU's longtime president and CEO, Janice Callies, has retired after 45 years working at LCCU. Callies joined LCCU in 1966 and was named president in 1998. She will be succeeded by Paul Smith.
CUs Join In Bank On Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La.-Eight credit unions here have joined with five local banks in "Bank on Baton Rouge," which will offer free or low-cost financial accounts to residents who do not use financial institutions. Participating FIs will reduce or waive fees for participants who open checking and savings accounts, and also eliminate overdraft charges and offer other incentives. Approximately 12.1% of local residents are unbanked.
HQ Reenamed After Former CEO
OGDEN, Utah-Goldenwest CU has named its corporate offices after former CEO Shelley B. Clarke to honor her 37 years of service to the CU. Clarke retired on Dec. 31, 2011.
