Compliance

RALEIGH, N.C.-With one exeption, credit unions that spoke with Credit Union Journal reported they have not altered pricing to encourage members to opt-in to overdraft programs. The $2-billion Coastal FCU in Raleigh, N.C., for instance, developed a unique promotion to charge a penny for overdraft fees if members correct the overdraft quickly (Credit Union Journal, Aug. 23).

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Credit unions are becoming increasingly concerned about the fledgling Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection as the federal government prepares to get the new agency up and running.

HAMPTON, Va.-While many credit unions have pushed members to take advantage of their overdraft protection programs in light of new federal regulations, one CU is going in the opposite direction.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA should allow CUSOs to expand their reach, according to CUNA and NAFCU. In separate comment letters to NCUA regarding its annual regulatory review, both trade groups urged the regulator to adjust a number of its rules governing CUSOs.

NEW HAVEN, Conn.-Credit unions may have a tax exemption, but they're anything but exempt from the "compliance tax," according to one company.

NEW YORK-Could a regulatory model currently in place in Canada also work in the U.S. by helping to reduce the regulatory burden on small credit unions?

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-The NCUA Board, acknowledging mounting credit union losses, proposed restrictions last week on executive compensation packages for managers of troubled credit unions.

SAN FRANCISCO-Financial institutions are responding in two ways to the advent of Regulation E and the resulting loss of revenue in overdraft fees and other revenue: through other "gotcha" fees and by positioning themselves as having the consumer's "back" using mobile services.

CHICAGO-NCUA is concerned many credit unions are not concentrating on the full extent of their concentration risk.

CHICAGO-There is greater concern over what's to come-rather than what's already known-regarding the financial reform legislation signed into law by President Obama last week.

CHICAGO – There is greater concern about what’s to come, than what’s already known about the financial reform bill signed yesterday by the president. Credit union CEOs attending NAFCU’s 43rd Annual Conference said already burdensome regulatory and compliance demands will become overwhelming in the next few years.

OMAHA, Neb.-To free the compliance officer from staff questions and to improve compliance knowledge throughout the credit union, one CU has placed all of its compliance knowledge online.

LAS VEGAS-Regulation of credit unions is a "work in progress," but Alan Cameron said the real downside is compliance takes away from the focus of serving members.

ORLANDO, Fla.-Credit unions must be definitive when making loan modifications or debt restructuring and have clear evidence to back up their decisions, according to state regulators.

ORLANDO, Fla.-Regulators in this state, hit hard by the economic downturn, are pledging to work with credit unions to sustain recoveries, but also noting certain red flags simply must be addressed.

MINNEAPOLIS-One analyst is offering some strategies for dealing with the increased regulatory burden every credit union is facing, along with words of caution on compliance risks many may overlook.

Senate leaders last week put off a final vote on the credit union-opposed bank reform bill after the death of Democratic icon Robert Byrd of West Virginia, jeopardizing passage, even as the House was voting final passage of the measure.

PITTSBURGH-According to some small credit unions, there is a disconnect between the direction NCUA is providing examiners on evaluating small CUs and what field staff are actually doing.

SHREVEPORT, La.-To help address risk, BAFS has hired a Seattle firm experienced with business lending to train all of the seven credit unions' MBL committee members, 35 in total.

MADISON, Wis.-Anticipating credit unions will need help in the latter-half of 2010 with managing capital and earnings challenges, CUNA Mutual Group plans to expand its virtual model to bolster education.