Credit unions

Cal Poly Federal Credit Union's recent merger into SchoolsFirst highlights the difficult choice many small institutions face: diversify your field of membership or risk going out of business.

Burns & McDonnell Credit Union holds just $27 million of assets and is seeking approval to merge into CommunityAmerica, which serves the KC metro region and is the largest credit union in Kansas and Missouri.

Rhonda Diefenderfer, who has led the Billings, Mont., credit unon for 20 years, will retire in May and be succeeded by the credit unions busines vice president of business lending.

The Methuen, Mass.-based institution's newest CEO was born in the same town and has more than a decade of experience in the credit union industry.

Key legislation to protect banks and credit unions serving the legal marijuana industry looks set to move forward in the House this week.

Calvin Philips led the credit union – which today operates as Neighborhood CU – from 1958 until he retired in 1988, and remained active on its board long after his retirement.

Credit unions are warning members that fraudsters are trying to prey on them by asking for data in exchange for appointments that turn out to be bogus.

A report to Congress from the National Credit Union Administration says the regulator has made "steady strides" toward greater diversity in its workforce and operations, but that progress is "just the beginning."

Some institutions for more than a year have reduced or eliminated overdraft and funds transfer fees to help members hard hit by the economic downturn, but it's unclear how much longer they can keep coasting on other sources of noninterest income.

The retirement of the chief executive at Cincinnatio Ohio Police FCU has resulted in a new hire there and at nearby TruPartner Credit Union.