WORTH NOTING

Penn. Foundation Reaches $2M MarkHARRISBURG, Penn.-The Pennsylvania CU Foundation reported it has now provided more than $2 million in grants since it was launched 16 years ago to assist small CUs. The most recent grant: $3,000 to Philadelphia Mint FCU. Since 1996, the Foundation has assisted over a half-million beneficiaries and has raised more than $3 million.Members Appove Merger In MichiganMIDLAND, Mich.-Following member approval, Members First CU here and Michigan Community FCU will merge June 1. Members First CU will be the continuing credit union with total combined assets of $310 million and 30,000 members.Corporate Merger CompleteMIDDLETOWN, Penn.-Mid-Atlantic Corporate FCU and VACORP FCU have completed their merger, creating a $4.1-billion institution that serves 800 member CUs. Mid-Atlantic is the continuing charter.SECU Foundation Supports Group HomesRALEIGH, N.C.-State Employees' CU announced its SECU Foundation has partnered with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency to finance residential group homes in Lee and Randolph counties, providing 0% construction loans for each of the $500,000 projects. The state will provide permanent financing after construction is completed.NAFCU Names Marketing Award WinnersARLINGTON, Va.-NAFCU has named its 2012 Marketing Awards winners. They are listed below with in categories of less than $150 million in assets and more than $150 million, respectively: Best Annual Report: Pitney Bowes EFCU, and Michigan State University FCU. Best Innovative Product or Service: Trust FCU and Vons CU. Best Promotional Campaign: Montgomery County EFCU, and Mountain America CU. Best Lending Promotion: Pioneer West Virginia FCU and TopLine FCU. Best Membership Promotion: North Carolina Community FCU, and Langley FCU. Best Member Newsletter: Tampa Postal FCU, Tampa, Fla., and United Nations FCU. Best Promotional Event or Service: The New Orleans Firemen's FCU, and First Financial FCU. Best Web Site: Pioneer West Virginia FCU, and Oregonians FCU.Has art, cherry blossom.pngCongressmen Serve As Race ChairsWASHINGTON-Some 162 members of Congress (27 senators, 135 reps), have signed on as Honorary Race Chairs for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk, scheduled for April 1. All funds raised go to Children's Miracle Network.For info: cherryblossom.org.Has mug shots: Zamberlan.jpg, Blair.jpg and Walker jpgExecutives Announce DeparturesROYAL OAK, Mich.-Thomas Zamberlan, CEO of OUR Credit Union, has said he is retiring following a 46-year career in credit unions. Following work at other credit unions, Zamberlan joined OUR FCU in 1985 and was named CEO in 1999. In Alexandria, Va., after 18 years of service, CommonWealth One FCU President/CEO John Blair said he will retire in July. Blair was named CEO in 1994, and has overseen growth to $295 million in assets from $100 million. During his career he was very active in a number of CUSOs, a local CU managers roundtable, and more. In Poughkeepsie, N.Y., P.J. Walker is retiring as president/CEO of Bridgeway FCU, after 14 years. EVP/CFO Michelle McCourt will become President/CEO effective April 1.Coastline Gets New CEOJACKSONVILLE, Fla.-The $125-million Coastline FCU has named John Clifford, formerly president of Bank of Fall River, Mass., as its new CEO.Has logo, Money Mission.pngMoney Mission Earns RecognitionPEWAUKEE, Wis.-Money Mission, a program offered by Wisconsin's credit unions and which seeks to improve students financial literacy, has been honored with the 2011 Wisconsin Financial Literacy Award. The program was recognized for its effectiveness in engaging teens in an immersive learning experience. Money Mission allows the students, through a personalized avatar, to live in a community in which they work and take advantage of opportunities and adventures. A new video lesson is unlocked each week, with each lesson focusing on a financial topic while expanding on previous lessons.For info: www.MoneyMission.comGiveaways Mark AnniversariesLOWELL, Mass.-Two CUs are marking milestones by giving away cash. Jeanne D'Arc CU is celebrating its 100th birthday by giving away $100 a day for 100 days to randomly selected members. "We are excited to be able to share our centennial celebration with our members throughout the year," said CEO Mark S. Cochran. A member will be chosen every weekday, with the exception of holidays, through July 5. In Los Angeles, LA Financial FCU is marketing its 75th birthday with a "$75-A-Day Giveaway Sweepstakes." Members are able to enter drawings to win the cash, plus other giveaways such as iPods. LAFFCU is also planning week-long open houses at all branches in the week leading up to its anniversary. 'Women of Distinction' SelectedMADISON, Wis.-CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. is honoring 24 financial advisors with Women of Distinction awards in recognition of their superior performance, value to their investment and insurance programs, exceptional client service and more. Winners include: Catherine Barnes of VyStar CU, Emmor Boslet of Belco Community CU, Julie Brand of First Light FCU, Jody Brown of Summit CU, Jane Brockway of University of Illinois CU, Kathy Chesney of Pacific Marine CU, Ellen Coppinger of Y-12 FCU, Wendy Cundari of North County CU, Carol Diest of First Community FCU, Judy Ebert of Deere ECU, Mary Finnegan-Ongaro of Members Cooperative CU, Leigh Glover of Southeast Financial FCU, Kim Hamblin of America First, Tiffany Haupert of Beacon CU, Anna Kamp of Anheuser-Busch ECU, Jane Kilby of VyStar CU, Michelle Luce of Great Northwest FCU, Stephanie Morales of Arizona Central CU, Pamela Schwartz, Alcoa Tenn FCU, Swan Shen of RTN FCU, Kim Shirk of Heritage CU, Cindy Sforza of Schools First, Suzi Williams of Yakima Valley CU, and Gale Zumpano of Alabama CU.CU Exec Seeks Congressional SeatGOLDSBORO, N.C.-John Bell, manager of sales and business development at North Carolina Community FCU, Goldsboro, N.C., is running for a seat in the North Carolina House of Representative. Bell has entered the 10th District Republican primary, which will take place in May. This is his first run for office.has art, dupaco 1 or 2, caption is provided as a separate caption DT tag in this DTI docDupaco Part Of SBA CelebrationDUBUQUE, Iowa-Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad visited with representatives of Dupaco Community CU as part of a recognition ceremony for the 2011 Iowa Small Business Persons of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Adminstration. Gina Blean and Kelly Heysinger, co-owners of Unified Therapy Services, obtained financing for their business from DupacHas art: maine hunger.jpg, caption is provided as a separate caption DT tag in thei DTI doco. Maine CUs Raise $446KPORTLAND, Maine-At the "Thaw to End Hunger Celebration Event" here, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger, was recognized for raising a record $446,929.56 during 2011, an increase of nearly $45,000 over 2011. The Campaign has now raised more than $4 million since it was launched 22 years ago. A keynote address at the event was made by Ernest Thompson, who wrote the film On Golden Pond.Basel III Guidelines DraftedWASHINGTON-Basel III guidelines concerning financial institution capital levels may have been drafted in response to the negative impact large banks had on the global economic crisis, but credit unions and other financial cooperatives will likely be included in any resulting regulation, according to the World Council of Credit Unions, which has hosted a webinar on the issue. During the webinar, economist Glenn Westley, who has done significant work in the credit union and microfinance sectors, shared his insights into changes proposed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, particularly as they relate to credit unions."Are credit union shares defined on the balance sheet as capital or as a liability?" Westley asked participants from seven countries who participated. "It depends on what you do with them.""In general, Basel III narrows the definition of what's acceptable and calls for more and higher quality capital than Basel II," Westley noted. An archived version of the presentation is available at www.woccu.org.