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VISTA, Calif. — Corporate credit unions' problems are expected to drive greater demand for in-house item processing in the remainder of 2009.

ST. LOUIS. Mo. — Forecasting that the recession will continue through Q3 and Q4, Enterprise Car Sales says that outlook is good for credit unions' used car loan portfolios.

AUSTIN, Texas — With credit union loans flat and deposits up, how to effectively manage a growing investment portfolio is the issue Amherst Securities Group expects CUs to wrestle with for at least another year.

LOS ANGELES — If CUs seek to cut executive benefits to cope with an economy one analyst predicts will not recover this year, they should pay attention to a certain section of the IRS code.

CINCINNATI — A slowly improving economy will not open the branch expansion floodgates this year, but more CUs will begin planning today for new locations in 2010.

PORTLAND, Maine — As credit unions deal with the fallout from the corporate system failures and the general economic downturn, a number of them are eyeing mergers, or even charter conversions as a way to protect member capital.

NEW YORK — Following a major bailout and the seizure of two major corporate credit unions, the unanswered question remains: what does the future hold for corporate CUs?

INDIANAPOLIS — The second half of 2009 will keep CUs focused on services that reduce their expenses and manage risk, reports Allied Solutions, which predicts that involuntary unemployment insurance coverage could see even greater interest.

WEST PALM BEACH — As credit unions celebrate their first 100 years here in the U.S., the financial crisis has some worrying about how they'll survive to see the next 100 years, and all options are on the table: converting to a bank charter, mergers and even a total overhaul of the system could be in the near future for corporate and natural person credit unions alike.

WASHINGTON — Changes to accounting regulations surrounding mergers, particularly the move from the pooling method to the acquisition method, can make the process daunting but it should not be the reason credit unions abandon a planned merger.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The economy will continue to raise concerns about branch profitability throughout 2009, according to one consultant who has been finding ways for CUs to address the issue.

Credit Union Journal asked CU industry suppliers and analysts about what they are forecasting for the second half of this year.

MONTROSE, Colo. — Being a member of Nuvista FCU is such a good deal, a number of big bank employees have joined the CU-and have even recommended CU membership to some of their bank customers.

RIVERWOODS, Ill. – Discover Financial Services yesterday reported a second quarter net of $209.2 million, made possible only because of $473 million payments form Visa and MasterCard as part of last year’s $2.75 billion settlement in the antitrust case brought against the two card giants.

WEST ALLIS, Wis. – NCUA said yesterday it is looking for merger mates for two ailing state chartered credit unions, Allco CU and First Security CU in Elm Grove.

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. – Alaska USA FCU became the latest credit union giant to enter the California market with an acquisition of a troubld credit union, High Desert FCU, a one-time $190 million credit union that was taken over by NCUA in October.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA officials acknowledged yesterday the $5.9 billion bailout of corporate credit unions will not be the last hit for credit unions this year.

DENVER – State regulators have issued cease and desist orders against two ailing state chartered credit unions, Longs Peak CU and Saguache County CU.

PITTSBURGH – The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh on Friday announced a loss of $23.6 million for the first quarter, as it continues to struggle under the weight of private-label mortgage-backed securities.

SACRAMENTO – State regulators said two more troubled credit unions, American River HealthPro CU and Alisos CU, are to be merged out.