Corporate governance

Not all small credit unions in the Golden State are struggling to attract new members, as STAR Community Credit Union and San Luis Obispo-based SLO CU are welcoming new faces.

Eric Bruen, CEO of Desert Valleys FCU, has seen little empirical data that shows small CUs have experienced little growth in 2012, but he argues that may not be such a bad thing.

All those stories about consumers flocking from banks to credit unions are just that-stories. Or at least that's the case for two small CUs in the Golden State.

BRISTOL, Penn. – Bucks First FCU said last week it plans to close its Warrington branch this fall because few members use it.

KANSAS CITY -- CommunityAmerica CU announced last week it is closing the two branches it operates in Topeka.

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – GSC FCU said it is converting to a state charter that will enable it to serve to eight other surrounding Illinois counties outside St. Louis.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Fast-growing MidFlorida CU will pick up two new branches and $46 million in assets with a merger of Bay Pines FCU, which serves the Bay Pines Veterans Administration complex.

FAIRBORN, Ohio – Eight months of saving and trimming household expenses paid off for a Miami Township couple who won $10,000 and $1,500 of closing costs for a new home in Wright-Patt CU’s Savings Race 4.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Community CU is partnering with Carrolton Bank on a four-year, $800,000 program that will increase lending, provide greater access to affordable services, and expand financial education to underserved and low-to-moderate income St. Louis communities.

NEW YORK – A state court has agreed to a request made by credit union taxi medallion lenders to temporarily block implementation of a city law that would vastly increase the amount of taxis to the detriment of those already financed by credit unions.

LINTHICUM, Md. – State Employees CU, Maryland’s second-largest credit union, has received approval from NCUA and state regulators to acquire Anne Arundel County Employees FCU, an $82-million credit union based in nearby Annapolis, Md.

TREVOSE, Penn. – TruMark Financial CU has implemented broker/dealer services and back office support from CUSO Financial Services.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. – Bellco CU has signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with Cherry Creek Fresh Market, which describes itself as a family-friendly, farmer-owned and operated farmer’s market in Denver.

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – TruStone FCU, the one-time teachers credit union, has awarded Nicole Jensen, a first grade teacher at Delano Elementary School with its the Best in Class Facebook teacher of the year, which comes with a $500 gift card to buy classroom supplies.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – America’s First FCU agreed last week to sponsor ZOOM Motorsports’ 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing Series at Barber Motorsports Park.

CHICOPEE, Mass. – State regulators reported Friday they have approved a application from $420 million Polish National CU to acquire ValleyStone CU, an ailing one-time $85 million credit union in nearby Wilbraham.

JACKSON, Miss. – Fast-growing Hope Community CU pledged last week to add 11 new branches and increase its membership to 51,000 from its current 26,000, as part of former President Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative America.

ALQUIPPA, Penn. – A&S FCU, originally a railroad employees’ credit union, has obtained approval from NCUA to convert to a community charter serving 170,000 residents of surrounding Beaver County.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commerce CU said it is dropping the “Florida” from its name as its moved into nearby Georgia with the opening of a branch in Thomasville.

GERMANTOWN, Md. – Members with the biggest relationship with their credit union will get the biggest benefits under a Member Value Program unveiled by Montgomery County Employees FCU this morning.