WASHINGTON – The Federal Housing Finance Agency is mulling a reduction in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's loan limits that is slated to kick in Jan. 1, 2014.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Citing regulatory concerns, Internet Archive FCU here now says it will not be able to service accounts for customers of Tradehill, Inc., an exchange for virtual currencies such as Bitcoin.

A unique "co-opetition" between two credit unions 2,800 miles apart — Red Canoe CU, just north of Portland, Ore., and Empower FCU, in upstate New York — has helped save their members more than $2.7 million.

Pickup trucks of all sizes are expected to hold their value better than all other vehicle segments during the next two years, according to Black Book.

CUNA Mutual's latest Trends Report shows short-term credit, primarily vehicle loans, accounted for most of the annual gain in new auto loans.

With the CFPB zeroing in on buy-rate financing, the agency's next target may be auto dealer insurance add-ons-and that could significantly hike the indirect loan price consumers see, cautions one CU exec.

SSFCU Is Fifth-Ranked Dealer Lender In 2013 J.D. Power Study

When auto loan rates eventually tick up, and analysts agree a rising rate environment is coming, credit unions will be in a better position to battle for new car loans.

The bread and butter of the CU auto loan portfolio is coming under greater pressure, say several analysts who see banks zeroing in on former franchisees of General Motors and Chrysler who are hanging out a new shingle.

If rates tick up, terms of loans will lengthen to keep borrowers in an affordable payment, predict analysts — some of whom have spotted auto loan terms of more than 100 months.

Credit Union Journal asked auto lending execs and analysts for their advice on managing the auto loan portfolio in a rising rate environment. Here's what they had to say.

Educational Employees CU said it has seen significant lift in its auto sales and a boost in new membership after launching an auto loan promotion that doubled as a benefit for World War II veterans.

CPCU Credit Union is starting the new academic year with a "Back to School Loan" it describes as designed to assist parents, young adults and educators with the growing number of costs associated with starting a new academic year.

The same week Miley Cyrus was causing a stir at the MTV Video Music Awards, some Vegas locals were complaining about a word they did not even hear or see. So forgive Greg Barnes for thinking critics of One Nevada Credit Union's new marketing campaign are chasing the wrong target.

Former NBA player Walter Bond was the keynote motivational speaker at the annual conference of the African-American CU Coalition.

SEPTEMBER

When the combined Carolinas CU League opens its doors next year, many of the efficiencies that normally arise when leagues combine will already be in place.

With joint leagues already representing more than a dozen states, one inustry insider says the trend of consolidation is here to stay.

Catalyst Corporate FCU has emerged from the corporate crisis with a cleaner bill of health and a restructured balance sheet, and it is member relations that have been one of the keys to survival of the institution.

PLANO, Texas-Small credit unions need to survive, according to Catalyst Corporate CEO Kathy Garner.