Credit unions

Indiana Members CU will expand its reach later this year following completion of a proposed combination with Members Choice FCU.

Konstantina Baker has been appointed to lead the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based institution following the retirement of longtime CEO Gregory Troutner.

The American Bankers Association has requested more time to respond to a proposal that would expand lending authority for credit union service organizations.

The deal to take over the firm's prearranged funeral insurance and final expense business in the U.S. and Canada is worth approximately $1.3 billion, and marks the latest in a string of acquisitions for CUNA Mutual.

Chris Hendry has served on the credit union's board but has spent his career in health care and philanthropy. He said many of his skills are easily transferable, including a focus on marketing and community engagement.

The Virginia-based credit union has appointed Executive Vice President Lisa Lambrecht as a temporary successor to former President and CEO Delbert Lee Morgan, following his move to Pen Air FCU.

The industry saw deposits rise by nearly 20% last year, in part due to economic stimulus measures from the government. More of the same could be coming once President Biden signs the latest stimulus bill into law.

Lending slowed, credit allowances mounted and return on assets as well as other performance ratios weakened, according to year-end figures from the credit union regulator.

The number of credit unions having serious conversations about diversifying their boards is on the rise, according to a new study from CUES, but those efforts are more likely to succeed if targets, education and other factors are in place.

The new leaders include some who succeed retiring chief executives retiring and others stepping in after unexpected departures.

The St. Louis-based institution is the latest in the industry to create an executive-level position focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The deal, subject to approval from regulators and members, will add to Valley Strong's existing branch network and comes after several years of losses at Solano First.

Technology is helping some institutions find new growth opportunities as lending contracts, but many CUs also were able to use data to assist members during the early days of the pandemic.

In remarks during CUNA’s online Governmental Affairs Conference, Vice Chairman Kyle Hauptman and board member Rodney Hood bemoaned the lengthy process necessary for launching a new credit union.

The industry quickly pivoted to remote work once the pandemic hit, but panelists who spoke during CUNA's online Governmental Affairs Conference predicted many institutions will utilize a mix of working from home and in the office once things return to normal.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under former President Donald Trump, said during CUNA's online Governmental Affairs Conference that now that many vulnerable populations have been vaccinated, the threat from the virus has lessened somewhat.

Rodney Hood, a board member and former chairman for the credit union regulator, was selected to fill a seat previously held by Todd Harper, who was recently appointed NCUA chairman.

In remarks at CUNA’s online Governmental Affairs Conference, the chairman of the National Credit Union Administration called for the creation of new initiatives around compliance for fair credit reporting and truth in lending.

The industry will have to contend with thin margins on either side of the aisle in Congress and new priorities from regulators, experts said in a panel discussion held as part of CUNA's online Governmental Affairs Conference.

The industry has a key role to play as policymakers push to expand access to affordable financial services for all Americans.