Fintech

Consider it the beginning of the Next Generation for Card Express Inc. — literally. Launched in 1995 by Alan Safahi as a prepaid card provider supporting corporate cards, CardEx soon plans to venture into the consumer market. And Safahi's son, Sean, will lead the initiative as the firm's new CEO.

A focus on cross-selling has helped Community Credit Union move from negative loan growth in 2010 (-1.5%) to 4.5% in 2011.

Not all small credit unions in the Golden State are struggling to attract new members, as STAR Community Credit Union and San Luis Obispo-based SLO CU are welcoming new faces.

Eric Bruen, CEO of Desert Valleys FCU, has seen little empirical data that shows small CUs have experienced little growth in 2012, but he argues that may not be such a bad thing.

All those stories about consumers flocking from banks to credit unions are just that-stories. Or at least that's the case for two small CUs in the Golden State.

Credit card offers mailed to consumers tapered off sharply in recent months after a resurgence in the wake of the recession, indicating a shift in large-issuer strategies.

BRISTOL, Penn. – Bucks First FCU said last week it plans to close its Warrington branch this fall because few members use it.

KANSAS CITY -- CommunityAmerica CU announced last week it is closing the two branches it operates in Topeka.

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – GSC FCU said it is converting to a state charter that will enable it to serve to eight other surrounding Illinois counties outside St. Louis.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Fast-growing MidFlorida CU will pick up two new branches and $46 million in assets with a merger of Bay Pines FCU, which serves the Bay Pines Veterans Administration complex.