PayThink

Since the introduction of Check 21 legislation, financial institutions have been implementing remote capture strategies from a number of sources. Clearly the most widely adopted application has been corporate capture, but branch capture and ATM capture are becoming more widely adopted.

Should CUNA and NAFCU merge? Would credit unions be better represented in Washington by a CUNAFCU or a NAFCUNA?

Are any credit unions too big to fail? The answer is paradoxically both "Yes" and "No."

While expectations of an imminent Fed rate hike have dissipated over the last month, widespread speculation remains that the FOMC will raise rates this year, with futures markets pricing in nearly a 50% chance of a 25 basis point (bp) hike by late October, and another 20% chance of a 50 bp hike.

I was at a meeting last week in Orlando when someone observed that the front page of that morning's USA Today was all about one topic: risk management. There was coverage of the damage from Hurricane Ike competing with coverage of Tropical Storm Credit Market Meltdown. It was hard to decide who was further under water.

The Sept. 15 CU Journal Daily Briefing] article [Losses Mount At NCUSIF]noting the largest single-month loss for our fund has given me and should give all credit union's pause. It is long overdue for a reconsideration of the Regulator/Insurer role being played out by the same people? I have a lack of comfort when I realize that this money is so easily available to wipe out the problems when we are not appraised of the reasoning behind such actions. It is long overdue to demand that an independant, objective third party oversee these fund transfers to ensure that every effort is being made to mitigate these losses to our fund.

Despite the increased media attention and numerous forms of protection out on the marketplace, identity thieves continue to wreak havoc on businesses and their employees and customers. And there are no signs of stopping.

I wouldn't look for a show called "CSI: Credit Union" on television anytime soon, but that's not because it wouldn't be Must-See TV.

As I've read the various articles and opinions on the financial state of the corporate credit unions I'm struck by the lack of questions about the quality of the corporates' investment portfolio. As I read the comments of the corporate officials and representatives I get the feeling that there isn't complete transparency in their comments. I hope I'm wrong, but I offer up the following questions that I believe if they were answered fully and completely by the corporate credit unions they would clear the air on what is in the corporates' investment portfolios that could cause risk to the corporates and more importantly to their member credit unions in the future.

On Aug. 11, 2008, Credit Union Journal online reported a story regarding San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union's delay in processing payroll for the City of San Diego, our primary sponsor group. Below is an effort to clarify the day's events and provide what may be helpful advice to other credit unions finding themselves in similar situations.