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RENO, Nev.-Many financial industry experts have spent recent months saying credit unions have an opportunity to grab market share during these troubled times, but public awareness of CUs' strength seems to be lagging-making Great Basin FCU's two-pronged marketing approach a standout.

SAN DIEGO-The greater difficulty of economic forecasting has only made it more difficult to run a credit union, according to Irene Oberbauer, CEO of the $4-billion San Diego County CU, who shared these thoughts on current management challenges.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-The region around the Golden State's capital continues to struggle with a fractured housing market, rising unemployment and myriad other woes, and the head of one of California's largest credit unions believes conditions are worsening.

PASADENA, Calif.-The process of running a credit union is significantly more complex and time-consuming these days, thanks to a sharply increased need to monitor the overall economy.

SANTA ROSA, Calif.-Despite the big challenges facing credit unions, particularly those in housing bust markets like California, there is a real opportunity to hammer home the trust factor while building real loyalty, according to Brett Martinez, CEO of Redwood Credit Union.

WASHINGTON-With increasing portions of the $700-billion bailout package being earmarked for banks, credit unions are looking to develop a rescue plan of their own.

DALLAS-It wasn't hard to find the undercurrent of an Economic Forum here: how bad is it, and how long will the recession last?

CHANTILLY, Va. – Online Resources Corp. said it fell into the red for the third quarter to the tune of $1.5 million, or five cents a share, compared to a profit of $1.1 million, or four cents a share, for the same period last year.

NORTH CANTON, Ohio – ATM maker Diebold said yesterday that third quarter profits surged 65% due to a healthy increase in revenues and it’s ongoing cost-cutting.

DEARBORN, Mich. – DFCU Financial CU announced yesterday it plans to pay members a $17 million dividend for the third year in a row.

MILWAUKEE – Metavante Technologies, the back-office service provider for credit unions and banks spun off by Marshall & Ilsley last year, said yesterday third quarter earnings fell 30% to $35.1 million, or 29 cents a share.

BROOKFIELD, Wis. – Fiserv reported yesterday that net income for its third quarter declined by 36%, to $78 million, or 48 cents a share, due to costs related to the sale of its Fiserv Insurance operations.

GREENSBORO, N.C.-After discovering how few citizens in this state know that credit unions are federally insured, the North Carolina Credit Union League is trying to hammer home that message.

WASHINGTON-With last week's actions, the government has extended itself so far into every corner of financial services-investing directly in banks, buying unlimited amounts of commercial paper; and guaranteeing bank debt, interbank funding, and all noninterest-bearing deposits-that many observers said any eventual unwinding of the interventions would be so complex that some parts may never go away.

LA HABRA, Calif.-American First CU has tightened up its underwriting but is still trying to get out the message that the credit union does have money to lend in the midst of the ongoing credit crunch.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.-When Purdue Employees FCU President Bob Falk decided to host a public "town hall" meeting to address the financial crisis, he knew he'd field some tough questions-like one from a member who asked if his credit union could handle a run on deposits.

In the midst of the financial crisis, credit unions should do more than simply deliver a message about credit union safety. Credit unions should also promote that they are trusted financial partners, stresses the Michigan Credit Union League, which is expanding its $1.5-million statewide "CU Difference" cooperative advertising campaign by $700,000 over the next six weeks to emphasize that very point.

TOLEDO, OHIO-Directions Credit Union here hasn't made any specific changes in light of the current economy, but is continuing to do its regular reviews of rates and offerings in the market, and continuing to make sure its pricing is in the best interest of its members.

NAPERVILLE, Ill.-DuPage Credit Union here hopes that high gas prices will translate into more Visa credit and check card business for the CU.

RIVERSIDE, Calif.-Credit unions across the country are proactively responding to consumers nervous about the financial marketplace.