Oregonians Support Exemption
BEAVERTON, Ore.-With the credit union tax exemption again being scrutinized by bankers, a new poll of consumers in Oregon has found strong "loyalty" for credit unions and support for that exemption. The poll, conducted by Voter/Consumer Research in late January, is based on findings from 300 consumers. Among the findings:
* 90% of Oregonians have a positive impression of CUs, while 56% have a favorable opinion of banks.
* Credit unions have a 96% approval rating among their members.
* 70% of Oregon voters agree that because they are not-for-profit, credit unions should not have to pay business or occupation taxes.
* When asked specifically which side they'd take if a disagreement between banks and credit unions erupted in the Legislature, 71% of Oregon voters said they'd side with credit unions, and just 18% said they would support banks.
Cannon Wins 1st Johnson Scholarship
GAINESVILLE, Fla.-Timothy Cannon, president and CEO of 1st Credit Union here, has been selected to receive the Fred Johnson CEO Institute Scholarship for CUES' 2013 CEO Institute program.The scholarship is administered by the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF), and given in honor of CUES' former president/CEO Fred Johnson, who retired in 2012.
LAFCU Expands Its FOM...
LANSING, Mich.-LAFCU has approved to expand its FOM TO 11 mid-Michigan counties from three. The $540-million LAFCU has 50,000 members.
...As Does Nueva Esperanza
TOLEDO, Ohio-Nueva Esperanza Community CU, a two-year-old community development credit union serving low-income Latino neighborhoods in Toledo, has been approved by state regulators to serve all 450,000 resident of surrounding Lucas County. Nueva Esperanza, Spanish for New Hope, was chartered in September 2010. At the time it was the state's first new credit union in almost a decade. The credit union had $1.5 million in assets at year end and reported a $23,000 loss for 2012.
Women Leaders Urged To Apply
MADISON, Wis.-World Council of Credit Unions invites all eligible women leaders to apply for a 2013 Global Women's Leadership Network scholarship. The scholarship provides an annual network membership and access to the 2013 Global Women's Leadership Forum, July 13-14, in conjunction with World Council's 2013 World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada. For info: www.woccu.org.
Bell New 'Engagement' Officer
MADISON, Wis.-The Filene Research Institute has named Mollie Bell to the new position of Chief Engagement Officer. In that role, Filene said Bell's job will be to grow awareness of Filene, promote the Institute's research and innovation findings, develop partnerships, and "deepen relationships with credit union professionals and other industry leaders." Bell previously was with CUNA Mutual as vice president in the Program Management Office.
Blanchard To Retire From TVFCU
BATAVIA, N.Y.-Tonawanda Valley FCU said Susan Blanchard, its CEO since 1987, is retiring March 15 from the $70-million credit union. Blanchard has worked in credit unions for 33 years. She was hired in 1987 when Batavia FCU merged with Education Employees FCU.
Buckley Joins Texas Regulator
AUSTIN, Texas-The Texas CU Department has named Dan Buckley, a senior executive at Alabama's Corporate America CU and before that a long-time NCUA corporate examiner, has been hired as Deputy Commissioner. Buckley, who will assist long-time Commissioner Harold Feeney, recently served as interim CEO of the $3-billion corporate, where he was hired as vice president for risk management in 2010.
NM Educators Gets New Energy
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.-New Mexico Educators FCU, the state's second biggest credit union with $1.3 billion in assets, has agreed to acquire the $49-million New Mexico Energy FCU, also based in Albuquerque. In East Lansing, Mich., $2.3-billion Michigan State University FCU is absorbing the $32.6-million Easton County Educational CU.
Members 1st Plans Expansion
MECHANICSBURG, Penn.-Members 1st FCU is continuing its expansion with plans to open five new branches this year. The $2.3-billion credit union, which operates 53 branches in central Pennsylvania, is planning two new branches in the Carlisle and Mechanicsburg areas and three in Lancaster County-in Elizabethtown, Ephrata and Lancaster.
Dodge Central Donates $100K
BEAVER DAM, Wis.-Dodge Central CU, now a unit of Landmark CU, made a $100,000 commitment to a new, 22,000-square-foot community center, which will be home to the Beaver Dam Community Activities and Services Department, including senior services. The credit union said it wants to continue to make an impact in the local community, even after its merger into the New Berlin-based Landmark CU.
