EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Employee financial wellness improved in the first quarter of 2013, extending a long-term trend that began in the first quarter of 2010, according to financial wellness program provider Financial Finesse.

LANSING, Mich. – The $540-million LAFCU here is absorbing via merger $22-million Centel Credit Union.

MADISON, Wis. – Credit unions continue to have a competitive advantage when it comes to fees, according to a new report.

PLEASANTON, Calif. – If lending trends are any indication, spring has definitely sprung, according to Ellie Mae’s “Origination Insight Report” for April.

WEST JORDAN, Utah – Mountain America Credit Union has introduced a prepaid card without monthly maintenance, deposit or other fees.

ATLANTA – Home improvement or repair continues to be the primary or traditional use for home equity lines of credit, according to research by Synergistics Research Corp.

WASHINGTON – A prohibition on mandatory arbitration provisions in certain mortgage loans is now just two weeks away.

ARLINGTON, Va. – NAFCU is pressing NCUA to make some changes in a proposed set of rules on federal credit union ownership of fixed assets.

WASHINGTON – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it has detected alleged racial discrimination in the auto loan market.

HERSHEY, Penn. – Despite industry-wide numbers showing lending up at CUs and auto playing a big role, a number of credit unions in this state say it is tough to make car loans this year – even with one CU at .99%.

Two consumer advocacy groups are urging NCUA to crack down on nine credit unions that allegedly engage in usurious lending practices akin to payday lending, but the agency has said in most the cases cited, the practices are perfectly legal, and NCUA is not in a position to take action.

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas – The Texas Credit Union Foundation said it is “poised to help” credit unions and their employees impacted by the tornadoes that struck in North Texas cities Granbury and Cleburne Wednesday night.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The NCUA Board yesterday proposed a new derivatives rule that was almost immediately criticized by some.

RALEIGH, N.C. – State Employees CU’s First Time Homebuyer’s Mortgage Loan program has surpassed the $1-billion mark in loan balances.

WASHINGTON – National housing affordability remained near historic highs through the first quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index.

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County CU here has entered into a partnership with FOODShare of Ventura County and leading restaurant loyalty program MOGL, which encourages its members to “eat out, cash in and do good” in an effort to generate more than 100,000 donated meals to fight hunger in Ventura County.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Too many credit union mergers are the result of a “misalignment or absence of intelligent incentives,” according to one new analysis that goes on to suggest that credit unions are playing a “dangerous game trying to ride out troubles rather than focusing on tactical acquisitions.”

MADISON, Wis. – The choice of and loyalty to a specific auto lender is driven more by intangible loan factors, such as good service, ease of contacting the lender and lender responsiveness, than from more quantifiable loan factors, such as interest rates and down payment requirements, according to a new report from the Filene Research Institute.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA yesterday assumed control of First Kingdom Community Federal Credit Union of Selma, Ala. and placed it into conservatorship.

PLANO, Texas – Credit union CEOs are feeling better about the economy for their members, but are not as optimistic when it comes to their own credit unions.