Fintech

NEW BERLIN, Wis. – NCUA on Friday said it approved the combination of Dodge Central CU into Landmark CU, giving the $2-billion credit union four additional branches.

A number of credit union CEOs said that looking into 2013 they are looking for controlled growth, even greater efficiencies, and to mobile banking to drive more business.

Credit unions should increase their electronic deposit capabilities in 2013, according to Curtis Hallowell, VP of product management for Cummins Allison.

The credit unions that grow this year will be those that have built "responsive cultures," according to Sam Kilmer, VP of market development for Harland Financial Solutions.

It's going to take better onboarding in 2013 for CUs to grow walletshare. That's the word from Sean McDonald, director of business development at Mid-State FCU and chair of the CUNA Marketing Council.

Efforts to streamline checking and develop both credit and debit portfolios are essential for CU growth in 2013, according to PSCU.

Dr. Brandi Stankovic, partner at Las Vegas-based credit union consultancy Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates, suggests credit unions allow members to voice how they would like to see the relationship with their credit union.

Walmart and the other Merchant Customer Exchange members recently announced they would opt for a software-based mobile wallet instead of one based on Near Field Communication hardware. Is this a blow to NFC's future or does the technology have enough supporters to eventually change how people pay?

As the U.S. continues its conversion to EMV chip-card technology, the Durbin amendment's requirement for supporting multiple debit networks is presenting yet another challenge to overcome.

Many companies are trying to repurpose iPads as payment terminals. Leaf, a Cambridge, Mass.-based startup, instead created a commerce-specific tablet for small-business owners.