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DECATUR, Ga. – Harland Clarke Holdings said Friday that lower debt service charges helped produce a doubling in net income for its second quarter, even as revenues from its core check printing business continued to slide.

WASHINGTON – Bank regulators shuttered two banks in Florida and one in Oregon Friday to make a total of 72 bank failures so far this year.

As credit unions across the country gear up for the traditional strategic planning season, CU Journal talked wth more than 20 experts to get a preview for what next year's most critical issues will be during those planning sessions. Click here for experts' tips and advice on how to make the most of your strategic planning for the year ahead.

SAN DIEGO-Will the credit union's core system lead it into the future or hold it back?

AUSTIN, Tex.-Credit unions looking to boost lending portfolios should consider adding "merchant lending" to their loan mix.

SAN ANTONIO-Strengthening the credit union's relationships with local auto dealers should be a 2010 strategic priority, insists one industry expert, who is forecasting an auto loan boon for CUs when the economy recovers.

LOMBARD, Ill.-Before the credit union considers what should comprise its 2010 strategic plan, it should first examine the process for how it develops those annual goals.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-When credit unions meet to talk about next year's strategies, one discussion that should not be on the table is leveraging cost control as a primary means to pull the CU out of an economic tailspin.

SAN DIMAS, Calif.-Given the economy and the need for credit unions to lower their average membership age, planning sessions should address shared branching opportunities to reach out to Generations X and Y.

BROOKFIELD, Wis.-To reach Generations X and Y, credit unions must be where their web-savvy members are.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-Looking to bolster that bottom line in 2010?

ARLINGTON, Va.-NAFCU president Fred Becker expects that many planning discussions will shift this year from crisis management to positioning the credit union for the future.

PLEASANTON, Calif.-Before the credit union develops plans to add new technology to drive operational efficiency, the CU should first maximize the potential of its core system.

SAN FRANCISCO-Within the next year, members of San Francisco Fire Credit Union may own capital shares in the credit union.

ORLANDO-One firm is urging CUs to keep "mobile" in mind when planning for 2010.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-Strategic planning for 2010 is all about understanding which products are profitable and which ones are not.

DES MOINES, Iowa-It's time to take a hard look at what CUs do best, and focus their strengths.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Before a credit union develops its strategic targets, it should first closely analyze if certain products aren't a better fit right now given market issues.

CINCINNATI-This year, credit unions have enjoyed a boon in deposits thanks to banks, and CUs should plan to leverage that momentum in 2010.

CANTON, Ohio-If the credit union's strategic plan calls for extending its reach but the budget won't permit purchasing new ATMs or upgrading existing machines, Diebold recommends outsourcing the self-service network.