Credit unions are certainly feeling ROA pressure today, which prompts one person to ask if enough CUs have plans in place for creating alternative revenue sources.

Strategic planning for 2013 needs to focus on strategies to better use member data, improve the governance model, and make more effective decisions about core competencies, according to Shazia Manus, CEO of The Member's Group.

A pre-conference hearing has been set between Vermont State Employees Credit Union and the state's Department of Financial Regulation, which is contesting the CU's use of the words "bank" and "banking."

THIS YEAR'S CDFI GRANTS

As many as 1,000 additional credit unions are eligible for NCUA's low-income designation and the exemptions it affords under a White House initiative unveiled last week to try to alleviate conditions caused by the historic drought plaguing much of the country.

Caucus Adds More Speakers

Wright-Patt CU has formed a partnership with a local real estate company, Irongate Inc. Realtors, with a goal of expansion as the relationship develops.

Teachers Credit Union's TCU Member Call Center has been certified as a "Center of Excellence" by BenchmarkPortal for the second year in a row.

Credit Union Journal has dedicated portions of the Aug. 6 issue and this current issue to helping credit unions to prepare for their 2013 Strategic Planning sessions.

Alternative revenue is the subject of a new white paper sponsored by CUNA's Operations, Sales & Service Council.

To make your planning more effective, consider these components:

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Members CU raised a total of over $77,000 in their school supply campaign which will provide 3,500 backpacks and school supplies to underprivileged children.

SAGINAW, Mich. – United Financial CU is breaking ground next week on a 15,000-foot expansion of its offices.

BROOMALL, Penn. – Franklin Mint FCU signed with Geezeo to implement the company’s white label personal financial management and engagement banking solution.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Fort Financial CU and Financial Members FCU, based in nearby Auburn, Ind., have received regulatory and membership approval to merge.

TAMPA, Fla. – GTE FCU, the $1.5 billion credit union chartered during the great Depression, is shedding the “credit union” in its name to become GTE Financial as part of a rebranding campaign.

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- SAC FCU broke ground last week on a $20 million, four-story headquarters it is building in Papillion just east of Shadow Lake Towne Center.

TROY, N.Y. --Sandy Horowitz, the local real estate developer and former Hollywood producer appears to be close to finalizing his bankruptcy plan that includes selling off several local properties must still win the backing of SEFCU for his reorganization plan.

EL CENTRO, Calif. – A federal court last week dismissed an age discrimination suit against Sun Community FCU and its top executives, ruling a former securities rep. did not prove he was terminated because of his age, in violation of the Age Discrimination and Employment Act.

WASHINGTON – The banking lobby was irate last week over NCUA’s announcement that 1,000 credit unions are immediately eligible for low-income status and thus exempt from the congressionally mandated cap on member business loans.