Corporate governance

OSHKOSH, Wis. — A trio of Wisconsin credit unions have decided to merge — a rare event in itself, made all the more unusual in that none of the three are struggling.

When American CU executives travel to other parts of the world with WOCCU, they're usually the teachers. But the U.S. executives who recently traveled to Brazil found a very advanced credit union movement--and discovered they could learn a thing or two about cooperation and the value of a national brand from their Brazilian counterparts.

MADISON, Wis. — A recent trip to Brazil organized by the World Council of Credit Unions exposed a dozen American CU professionals to Brazil's credit union system, but it may also be the last trip of its type for some time to come.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — A recent study found the No. 1 feature consumers look for in a bank or credit union is low or no fees, which should be an advantage credit unions can leverage, according to one analyst.

BILOXI, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) FCU here is set to merge with Keesler FCU at the end of March.

Darigold Federal Credit Union has taken the first steps to merge into Sound Credit Union, pending regulatory approval and a vote by Darigold's members.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Financial CU and ITT Employees' FCU here have announced plans to merge.

HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington Schools CU is now Partners 1st FCU after the two shops finalized a merger this week.

MANSFIELD, Texas — Texas Trust Credit Union says it wants to be a $1 billion institution by the end of 2016, and the CU is moving in that direction with double-digit growth in assets, loans and members last year.

NEW YORK — Fourteen credit unions will participate in a pilot program to test "Borrow & Save," which offers low-and-moderate income U.S. consumers small-dollar loans as an alternative to payday lenders.

PHOENIX -- More than a year after Arizona Federal Credit Union decided to charge a controversial $3 monthly membership fee, the $1.2 billion-asset CU reports the dues have created their desired effect.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- State Employees Credit Union has proposed merging into First Florida Credit Union to create an institution with more than $700 million in assets and nearly 60,000 members.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Credit unions and other community financial institutions have an opportunity to gain additional market share from big banks this year, according to new study, but CUs will still have to overcome some familiar obstacles.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Community Choice Credit Union awarded $886,902 to members as part of the first payout through its new member rewards program.

Small federal credit unions can improve their bottom lines by tapping into two often overlooked sources of funds, a CEO who has taken advantage of them told attendees a CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference forum.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Though credit unions traditionally have offered better rates on savings accounts than banks, until recently CUs have not made much noise in the online marketplace.

TAMPA, Fla. -- GTE Financial has introduced a unique new program that aims to reduce members' waistlines and fatten their wallets.

HONOLULU -- Just because Prince Kuhio FCU is small doesn't mean it isn't dealing with big issues.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- A credit union here partnered with a CU in Pennsylvania in an unusual move.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- To help credit unions address their social media needs, the Minnesota Credit Union Network recently formed a strategic alliance with DAYTA Marketing to provide social media management services.