WASHINGTON – Although credit unions reported robust first-half lending volume driven in large part by mortgages, mortgage applications fell sequentially by 4.5% for the week ending Aug. 10.

WASHINGTON – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have expanded efforts to get refunds on soured mortgages, boosting the cost of faulty home loans and foreclosures at the biggest U.S. banks since 2007 to at least $84 billion.

WASHINGTON – With former CUNA CEO Dan Mica’s salary off the payroll and other changes, executive compensation at the credit union trade association was down 12.2% for 2011, helping to drive down expenses by 3.5%.

ABBEVILLE, S.C. – Greater Abbeville FCU is offering assistance to members affected by layoffs slated to occur at year-end at the Mohawk Plant in Calhoun Falls.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Ninety-four of 98 credit union-supported candidates have advanced to the November general election after last week’s Washington state primary, according to the Northwest Credit Union Association.

LIVE OAK, Texas – The $5-billion Randolph-Brooks FCU here has signed a multi-year deal to implement Online Resources Corp.’s Architect Digital Banking Solution.

WASHINGTON – All of the U.S. Senate candidates CUNA backed in Tuesday’s primaries came through with flying colors, the trade group reported.

RIVERWOODS, Ill. – Credit union members’ attitudes about the economy remain stronger than non-credit union members, according to new data from the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the second time in the last three months revolving credit is down.

NEW YORK – Small-business lending by credit unions dropped in July over the previous month, according to the newly released data from the Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA has approved more than $1.4-million in technical assistance grants to more than 100 credit unions.

BOSTON – Credit unions’ investments in technology are paying off, as CUs are closing the gap with larger banks when it comes to online convenience, a new study indicates.

WASHINGTON – Six federal financial regulators – including NCUA – have issued a proposed rule creating new appraisal requirements for “higher-risk mortgage loans.”

GREENBELT, Md. – Educational Systems FCU has reversed its decision to assess members of Montgomery County Teachers FCU an unusual, one-time $35 fee to help defray the costs of absorbing the troubled $400-million Rockville, Md., credit union.

MADISON, Wis. – Regardless of their political persuasion, credit union advocates should be excited about the choice of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate, according to credit unions in his home state.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – A group of Technology Credit Union members opposed to its proposed charter conversion to a mutual savings bank held a rally at the $1.6-billion CU’s headquarters branch here yesterday.

CO-OP Financial Services is significantly expanding its PIN POS presence with a new partnership with First Data's STAR Network.

MADISON, Wis. – The World Council of Credit Unions said its analysis has found credit union shares, which are perpetual, nonwithdrawable and available to cover institutional losses, can be considered “common equity” regulatory capital under guidelines offered by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s Basel III document.

WASHINGTON – Three defense CUs are being recognized for their contributions by the military.

BOULDER, Colo. – The Elevations Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Elevations Credit Union, has presented the Long Term Recovery Group of Northern Colorado with a check for $36,312.59 to assist people here in recovering from the High Park Fire.