Credit unions

Too many Americans lack a sound grounding in personal financial management, which limits their opportunity to build long-term financial independence.

Over half of all credit unions with less than $250 million of assets are run by women, but those institutions continue to be merged out of existence. A group of 13 women who lead such organizations have banded together in an effort to ensure their survival.

The deal will see the $16 million-asset Georgetown FCU join the $258 million-asset PAHO/WHO. The combined institution will serve more than 7,500 members.

The New York institution is believed to be the first credit union to open its doors to the general public as part of the mass vaccination effort.

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union has doubled in size since 2015, thanks in part to expanding its branch network and field of membership.

State-level groups are pushing measures intended to improve the operating environment for the industry, such as increasing flexibility with field of membership, and providing parity with banks and federally chartered institutions.

John Servos spent the last dozen years as CEO of the St. Louis-based Neighbors Credit Union.

Rex Johnson, who helped found the New Jersey credit union in 1980, was 77.

The new name is meant to position the credit union as a leader in technology and service.

A comprehensive strategy around when and how consumers pay bills online can better help credit unions understand members' behavior patterns and deepen those relationships.