Credit unions

Increased access to telehealth visits. Cash incentives to get vaccinated. Bring your dog to work — every day. These credit unions, though still providing traditional team-building fun and games, have taken extra steps this year to cater to the needs of employees.

Scott Credit Union of Edwardsville said it is acquiring Tempo Bank in Trenton, Illinois. It is the fifth such transaction announced since Aug. 5 and the 10th of the year.

It would be the second bank acquisition for Fairwinds, which bought Friends Bank in Florida in 2019.

After the state’s mask mandate was lifted, Michigan First Credit Union said it would no longer allow masks in its stand-alone branches, citing security concerns. Following an outcry from some members, the credit union updated its rule to allow clear face coverings.

The central bank wants financial institutions to enable additional routing options for online purchases, a change industry advocates say would strain the resources of smaller card issuers.

The choice of Greg Young as the next president and chief executive comes nearly a year after Karl Yoneshige announced his plans to retire from the role.

Many credit unions with less than $100 million of assets struggle with marketing and technology. Larger ones are willing to lend support, and the Credit Union National Association is working to dispel fears that prospective mentors are simply looking for takeover targets.

The nation’s second-largest credit union hired Jim Hayes to succeed Mike Lord as president and CEO. Hayes was most recently president and CEO of the $2.2 billion-asset Andrews Federal Credit Union in Suitland, Maryland.

The Credit Union National Association initiative helps promote eligibility requirements to potential members. It has added six new participants in Georgia.

New research from American Banker and Monigle reveals which banks, credit unions and challenger banks are turning customers into fans — and which ones have work to do.