Fannie Mae said it is ending the practice of credit unions and banks forcing expensive homeowners insurance on borrowers and will seek to oversee such policies itself.

On Feb. 2, I e-mailed more than 50 industry leaders and fellow credit union CEOs throughout the country about FHA-available loans being misused as a selling point in strategic defaults. I hoped someone with some clout (I have zero) would take up the cause. Within an hour of my e-mail, NAFCU President, Fred Becker, responded and began working on the issue. NAFCU continues to keep the issue active.

Credit union marketers battling a tough economy should put their focus in three areas.

It's an old adage because it's a truism, one person believes: You've got to spend money to make money.

The evolution in credit union marketing has been forced by economic necessity to become a much more strategic and comprehensive function.

NCUA has released a new video that is aimed at small credit unions interested in accessing free consultants.

If banks and CUs don't want the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulating overdraft pricing, they should clearly disclose their overdraft charges to consumers and members.

Insight CU, Orlando, Fla., promoted Cindy Morgan to the EVP/CFO.

Editor's Note: This letter was written in response to "Former Corporate CEO To Head New Catalyst Corporate FCU," CU Journal Daily Briefing, Feb. 28, on the hiring of former Northwest Corporate CEO Kathy Garner as CEO of Catalyst Corporate FCU.

Cliff Rosenthal, CEO of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, is headed to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as assistant director.

Total deposits in FDIC insured institutions continue to grow despite substantial decrease in interest rates, according to Market Rates Insight.

NCUA has issued an order against Timothy Sidley, the former chief risk officer for WesCorp. It is the first civil enforcement action brought by NCUA against any executive in the failure of the five corporate credit unions.

CU CHAMPION TO FACE OFF

CUNA Names New Vice President

With young consumers citing convenience as the primary reason they choose a financial institution, credit unions have work to do on both communications and lending fronts to get more youth in the door.

Issuing a debit card to high school students can help maintain ties with youth once they graduate, but branding the card with the school's image makes the plastic even stickier.

Notes from around the Credit Union Community.

Smart phones have not only changed the way we communicate with one another, they have also transformed the business landscape, connecting members with online resources from the palm of their hand.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – CUNA launched an unprecedented independent radio campaign here yesterday to help save House Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus, the 10-term incumbent who is being challenged by a Tea Party-backed candidate in tomorrow’s Republican primary.

WACO, Texas – Two men and a woman accused in a string of holdups stretching from Missouri to Texas, including last year’s heist at Texell CU in Temple, last week pleaded guilty to armed robbery charges and will be sentenced in May.