Personal Data Accidentally

All credit unions talk about the importance of listening to their members, but FedChoice FCU here takes the extra step to act on the feedback it receives from its membership.

At first glance, FlexWage Solutions is selling something that looks a lot like a payday loan.

What caused GTE FCU to slip into a financial tailspin and lose $74.7 million from 2008 through 2010 and how they worked diligently to overcome in the last few years to return to profitability.

To gain greater control over rising healthcare costs, the Montana CU Network has formed a trust to self-fund a health insurance program for CUs in this state.

JACKSON, Miss.-Fast-growing Hope Community Credut Union pledged last week to add 11 new branches and increase its membership to 51,000 from its current 26,000, as part of former President Bill Clinton's Global Initiative America.

BALTIMORE, Md.-Horsetail Technologies and Credit Union Journal have partnered to make an extraordinary offer that will result in one credit union receiving a $100,000 Extreme Network Makeover.

MADISON, Wis.-Members Matter Most.

NCUA indicated last week that its examiners will be giving credit unions a bit more room to operate.

TMG Honored With NOVA, Davey AwardsDES MOINES, Iowa-The Members Group said it has received recognition from the Iowa Chapter of the American Marketing Association, with three NOVA Awards, and the International Academy of the Visual Arts, with a Davey Award, for excellence in its 2011 marketing programs.For info: www.themembersgroup.comNIH FCU Adds Mortgagebot ModuleROCKVILLE, Md.-National Institutes of Health FCU has become one of the first lenders to implement Mortgagebot's new consumer lending module to its PowerSite integrated point-of-sale solution.For info: www.mortgagebot.comReading Program Added To Kids ClubLEHIGH VALLEY, Penn.-Marketing Partners, Inc., added a reading program to its Dollar Dog Kids Club Program called Pawprints Reading Rewards Program.For info: www.marketingpartners.comTruHome Tops $2 Billion In ServicingLENEXA, Kan.-CUSO TruHome Solutions, LLC said it surpassed more than $2 billion in servicing, has increased its credit union client list by 170% since 2011, and recently received GNMA certification-making it one of just 200 active Ginnie Mae issuers in the nation.For info: www.truhomesolutions.comuse CUNA Mutual Group logo hereCUNA Mutual Earns Top RatingsMADISON, Wis.-Financial ratings agency A.M. Best affirmed the financial strength rating of CUMIS Insurance Society at "A" (Excellent) and upgraded the financial strength rating of Producers Agriculture Insurance Co. to "A." CUMIS and ProAg are subsidiaries of CMFG Life Insurance Co., part of CUNA Mutual Group.For info: www.cunamutual.comLEVERAGE, Vining Sparks Team UpTALLAHASSEE, Fla.-LEVERAGE, a Service Corporation of the League of Southeastern CUs, announced a new strategic partnership with Vining Sparks IBG, to offer access to educational resources, online portfolio information, asset liability services, sample policies and investment products. For info: www.myleverage.comCSCU Announces CUNA GAC WinnersTAMPA, Fla.-Card Services for Credit Unions (CSCU) announced its winners from its recent giveaway. Three CU CEOs won iPads with an enhancement bundle package for their credit union: John Winne, Boston Firefighters CU; Jace Reyes, Miami Postal Service CU, and Mark Cochran, Jeanne D Arc CU. Indiana University CU won $5,000 toward an enhancement bundle package from CSCU.For info: www.cscu.netVisit www.cujournal.com today!

Funds For 1st-Time Home Buyers

MISSOULA, Mont.-In a rare do-over, members of Montana First CU are being asked again to approve the merger of the state's oldest credit union into Washington's Horizon CU in nearby Spokane Valley, a combination rejected by the membership in January.

CUSN Announces Award WinnersLAKEWOOD, Colo.-CU Service Network announced the winners of its 5th Annual Shared Branching Excellence Awards, given to CUs that have been active on the network for a minimum of three years and achieved the greatest transaction growth in 2011. Greatest Issuer Transaction Growth: UniWyo FCU, Laramie, Wyo., which grew 124%. Greatest Acquirer Transaction Growth: Lewis Clark CU, Lewiston, Idaho, which grew 99%. Marketing Excellence Award: Rio Grande CU, Albuquerque, N.M., for its "Your Treasure Awaits" shared branching on-boarding campaign.For info: www.cusn.comBelvoir FCU Joins Realty CUSOWOODBRIDGE, Va.-Belvoir FCU, a $210-million CU, here, said it has joined CU Realty of VA, MD, DC and WV, LLC, a CUSO affiliated with CU Realty Services, LLC, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., to grow its mortgage business by becoming the first point of contact for members wanting to buy or sell a home.For info: www.curealtyllc.comVelocity Acquires Deposit ScoreWILMINGTON, N.C.-Velocity Solutions said it has acquired Deposit Score, Platinum Overdraft and Pricing Partner software, plus staff, from Sheshunoff Consulting + Solutions, a developer of software and solutions to assist CUs and banks in proper management of account overdraft limits.For info: www.myvelocity.comCU Toolbox Earns National RecognitionHOLMDEL, N.J.-Credit Union Toolbox, which provides CUs with a personalized, compliant-ready, automated marketing solution, was honored by the Specialized Information Publishers Association, receiving a first place award.For info: www.credituniontoolbox.com CFCU Signs with cuautocouponHAUPPAUGE, N.Y.-cuautocoupon, Inc., announced the signing of its first Florida credit union to its network, Jacksonville's $1.1-billion Community First CU. The company said its coupon program designed to help drive more business to credit unions and auto dealerships.For info: www.cuautocoupon.comSSSCU Signs With AutoNationLAS VEGAS-Silver State Schools CU announced an alliance with AutoNation Direct, which will allow SSSCU members to shop for vehicles online or via a Personal Automotive Consultant, and receive special member pricing, rebates and incentives provided by auto manufacturers.For info: SSSCU.AutoNationDirect.comCSCU Releases Loyalty White PaperTAMPA, Fla.-Card Services for Credit Unions released a research brief on the importance of a rewards program in retaining and atrracting members.For info: www.cscu.net/whitepaperVisit www.cujournal.comFynanz Tops 200 CU Lending PartnersNEW YORK-Fynanz, Inc., a provider of student loan marketing, education, origination and repayment solutions for lenders, said it added four CUs, raising its list of clients to more than 200 credit unions that are leveraging its private student lending technology: $376-million Sunmark FCU, Latham, N.Y., $725-million Los Angeles FCU, $1.9-billion Travis Credit Union, Vacaville, Calif., and $301-million CommonWealth One FCU, Alexandria, Va.For info: www.fynanz.comCUNA Mutual Group Named CIO 100 Award HonoreeMADISON, Wis.-CUNA Mutual Group said IDG's CIO magazine named the CUSO as one of its 2012 CIO 100 honorees. CUNA Mutual was honored for its Smartphone Loan technology, an app that enables members to apply for a loan via smartphones.For info: www.cio.com or www.cunamutual.comCallahan Expands OwnershipWASHINGTON-Callahan & Associates announced an expansion of ownership, as Jon Jeffreys, VP of Callahan Financial Services, Jay Johnson, EVP, Alix Patterson, chief operating officer, and Scott Patterson, VP of new business innovation, joined Chip Filson and the Callahan Employee Stock Ownership Program as equity owners of the firm.For info: www.creditunions.com

ARLINGTON, Va.-NAFCU has announced the winners of its annual awards program recognizing excellence in federal credit unions.This year's winners, who will be honored at NAFCU's 45th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Nashville, July 26, are:* Federal Credit Unions of the Year: Pioneer West Virginia FCU, Charleston, W.Va. (less than $150 million) and SeaComm FCU, Massena, N.Y. ($150 million or more).* CEOs of the Year: Gerald P. Bolduc, Monroe County Teachers FCU in Key West, Fla. (less than $150 million) and John M. Tippets, North Island CU, San Diego, Calif. ($150 million or more).* Professional of the Year: Linda Hennings, Campco FCU in Gillette, Wyo. (less than $150 million) and Bonnie Ciuffo, South Carolina FCU, North Charleston, S.C.* Volunteer of the Year: Doug Spitler, Electrical FCU in Arvada, Colo. (less than $150 million) and Carl Rummel, Missoula FCU in Missoula, Mont. ($150 million or more).Winners of NAFCU's 2012 Annual Marketing Awards, announced earlier this year, will be on display at the conference, and NAFCU will also present the 2012 White Hat Award to the NAFCU member CU that raises the most money for NAFCU/PAC.For info: www.nafcu.org/annualawardwinners

Will a study of checking account disclosures and financial institution checking practices help to tighten the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's focus on overdrafts?

Corporate One FCU named three board directors to three-year terms: Phillip Buell, CEO of Superior FCU; Robert Burrow, CEO of Bayer Heritage FCU; and Lee Powell, Jr. of DESCO FCU.

A focus on cross-selling has helped Community Credit Union move from negative loan growth in 2010 (-1.5%) to 4.5% in 2011.

The San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union created a special loan product called the "1010 loan"-a nod to the police code for "be ready." It is a bridge loan that helps new officers purchase their uniforms, gun and other equipment until they are reimbursed.

Marla Shepard saw the future back in 2008, when, fittingly, she was president and CEO of the then $944-million First Future Credit Union-the need to bulk up to better compete with the big banks.

The $2.2-billion Mission Federal Credit Union may have transitioned to a community charter, but it hasn't strayed from its roots.