If the Merchants Customer Exchange (MCX) succeeds, not only is credit union interchange revenue at risk but so is critical member transaction data.

Consumers will decide whether the Merchants Customer Exchange (MCX) becomes a viable payments network, say industry experts.

CUs should be learning as much as they can about the Merchants Customer Exchange (MCX) and paying attention to whether their cards can be part of the new merchant digital wallet, recommend two payments experts.

Harrison District 2 FCU Joins CUSN

Scott CU said last week it has entered into a three-year partnership with the St. Louis Rams football team that includes TV and radio commercials, spots on the scoreboard at the Rams' Raymond James Stadium and the Rams' weekly TV show, a presence on the Rams' website and a number of community events.

Davis + Henderson Corp.'s acquisition of Harland Financial Solutions is a "big deal," simply because it involves so many credit unions using products supplied by the two companies, according to one analyst.

Study: Too Many Prepaid Solutions Crowding Into Crowded Market

CUNA last week released results of its Women's Financial Survey, which found the most important financial concern for women isn't buying a house or paying off debt, but saving for retirement.

The Mountain West CU Association is in the process of assembling a small credit union task force, making it the latest state league to revamp its programs aimed at assisting small CUs.

MADISON, Wis.-Boards need to play a more significant role in mapping out their organization's strategy, according to one industry expert.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.- Mike Kohl is reminding credit unions that while they should still offer members competitive rates, they shouldn't price themselves out of being profitable.

Credit union: know thyself. That is the message from Tony Ferris, managing partner for Rochdale Group, who said that as the 2014 strategic planning season nears, the CUs that are "truly making progress" in current market conditions are those that are taking a "hard look" at their own capabilities.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Credit unions are known for being cautious, but Tony Ferris said they need to realize that trying to avoid any interest rate risk can lead to trouble of a different sort. Ferris, managing partner for Rochdale Group, said 2014 strategic planning must take into account the total risk a credit union has as an entity, including strategic, credit, interest rate, operational and earnings. "If credit unions simply back off of interest rate risk, they are adding earnings risk," he explained. "They have to be thoughtful of, if we back off of interest rate risk, where will we make money?"

NAPERVILLE, Ill.-More CUs are concerned about long-term sustainability, according to one strategic planning firm that expects the topic to be front and center at many planning sessions this fall.

While credit unions and other analysts try to make sense of what a court ruling striking down the Fed's 2011 interchange cap of 21 cents might mean, at least one analyst sees an even lower interchange rate benefitting most credit unions.

Credit unions are being urged to pay close attention to the rapid emergence of "omni-commerce," as mobile is changing consumers' shopping habits, says Vantiv.

Time to THINK About Entering

A cooperative business model brings CUs competitive advantages over banks when it comes to setting strategic direction, according to the Institute for Strategic Learning.

Ever have most of your members just pack up and leave town overnight? That's just one of the challenges of being a CU serving the military and one of the challenges the Defense Credit Union Council tries to help its member CUs to meet.

Walter Laskos, a PR specialist, explains how credit unions are assisting in the 'Battle of the Budget.'