RALEIGH, N.C. -- Jim Blaine believes having a choice between joining either the Credit Union National Association or a state league is critical to the future of the nation's second largest credit union as well as many others in the community.

CUNA is confirming what several analysts have already told Credit Union Journal: that NCUA's proposed new risk-based capital rule will cost many credit unions a lot more to maintain healthy capital cushions needed for growth-in fact, a net $7.3 billion more.

The $27 billion State Employees' Credit Union is disaffiliating from the Credit Union National Association and the Carolinas CU League.

Peter Kavalauskas, CEO of Northeast Credit Union, was killed Saturday when he lost control of his snowmobile and crashed it into the shoreline.

A selection of images featuring credit unions' efforts in their communities.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Assets at Navigant CU here grew by more than 10% during 2013, and the credit union celebrated by returning to members a 2% dividend for interest on accounts -- the 25th consecutive year Navigant members have seen such a payout.

The scene: A television studio in Culver City, Calif.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Belco Community CU said Amey Sgrignoli will take the reins as president and CEO when Lonny Marurer retires in 2015.

What's good and bad about NCUA's proposed risk-based capital rule? The credit union community certainly has a lo t of opinions.

U.S. Bank will store the name, address, and card information and present it to the retailer and payment network when a purchase is made.

WOODBURY, Minn. -- In an effort to offer its 45,555 members a streamlined home-buying experience, Postal Credit Union recently launched an on-demand automated residential mortgage solution.

INDIANAPOLIS -- If credit union technology experts have one thing in common, it's most likely the desire to create or implement a service that is not only "cool," but one that enhances the member experience.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- While credit and debit card breaches at leading retailers such as Target Corp. have members concerned, fraud is ever present, especially as online and mobile transaction rates increase.

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Upgrading mobile banking to offer more robust features is always a selling point, but the other big motivator right now is adding stronger security. Global CU got both when it rolled out its enhanced online banking system, eBranch, late last month.

DOWNEY, Calif. -- With financial data breaches becoming almost commonplace these days, credit unions are feeling the member impact and looking for new ways to fortify existing safeguards.

SILVERDALE, Wash. -- For a small credit union operating in a remote region, offering competitive banking and investing services can be difficult, but Connection Credit Union is using a new cloud-based software solution to help close the gap.

WASHINGTON -- The subprime credit card market, long down for the count, may finally be poised for a comeback.

The Target Corp. breach has data security fresh on the minds of many, and one expert says small CUs need to realize they no longer can dodge attention from scammers and thieves due to their size.

Understanding consumer credit card spending habits has been difficult historically.

The National Credit Union Administration's proposed risk-based capital rule could limit the size and number of credit union acquisitions of banks this year, say several sources close to these deals.