Corporate governance

DALLAS-Credit unions have shown in recent months that mortgage lending is a potential area for growth, but Angela Calvert warns CUs to tread carefully.

MADISON, Wis.-In 2011, credit unions will need to prudently take more lending risks and price that risk appropriately.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-The old CU adage that you can "make it up with volume" is actually true when it comes to debit revenue in 2011.

RIVERWOODS, Ill.-For Kevin O'Donnell, finding a growth opportunity in 2011 means looking no further than the fact fewer than one in three members carry a credit card from their CU.

Becoming more efficient, installing up-to-date technology and reducing fraud all will be priorities for credit unions that seek to grow in 2011, but Eric Porter of CO-OP Financial Services says the most important is taking advantage of banks' current weakness.

MADISON, Wis.-Credit unions will continue to grow-but at a slower pace if they do not obtain continuing education for directors, and lending staff when the CU seeks to enter into or expand business lending.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Credit unions this year may find overall growth a challenge, but targeted growth can be accomplished even in tough times, insists Dennis Dollar.

BROOKFIELD, Wis.-This is the year in which if credit unions are to grow, they will need to find that growth internally, predicts Fiserv, which recommends stronger data-mining and relationship-building tools to get the job done.

PLEASANTON, Calif.-With shrinking capital a concern for many credit unions, growth opportunities should also drive greater efficiency to preserve the bottom line, stressed Sam Kilmer.

LINDEN, N.J. — Budget constraints dictate that CU expansion will shift toward online channels as opposed to branches, but one person is emphasizing CUs must also budget for marketing and training resources in order for those electronic services to pack a real punch.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-Credit unions will have to fine tune risk-based lending in 2011, because loan growth opportunity is with less-than-perfect paper.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-In the automotive remarketing and recovery sectors, there are a number of new opportunities for credit unions to grow beyond the traditional methods CUs have deployed for selling and marketing used vehicles.

SHELTON, Conn.-With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day, CUs can drive growth by becoming the trusted financial partner for individuals heading into retirement.

LOMBARD, Ill.-In the "post-free" era, credit unions will have to institute relationship pricing to substantially grow in 2011, according to one analyst.

HOUSTON-From one analyst's perspecitve, 2011 is the year in which CUs must accept the fact they will have to start charging more fees to remain profitable and grow-but they must do so while also giving members something in return for the extra costs.

ONTARIO, Calif.-As mobile phones have gotten "smarter," so must credit unions in providing services via those phones, said one person.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Credit unions looking to grow in 2011 need to be focused on transformational change, including addressing inactive accounts.

MADISON, Wis.-Two trends evident in 2010 are likely to continue to be felt by CU managers in 2011, as well.

MONETT, Mo.-With credit unions' income prospects limited due to economic and regulatory factors, ProfitStars said mergers are an "obvious growth opportunity" in 2011.

MONETT, Mo. — Symitar is projecting 2011 to be a good year for credit unions overall. That's the word from Ted Bilke, the company's president, who pointed to the theme of Callahan & Associates' most recent quarterly TrendWatch, "Make Big Plans for 2011."