RALEIGH, N.C. – Coastal FCU said this morning it paid its most loyal members, frequent users of checking accounts, a $1.5 million special dividend last week.

DETROIT-Saying it's time to give members a bailout, one credit union is offering to cut members' auto loan rates in half.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-A group of credit unions here were given a briefing on the direction of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by that agency's new leader.

MADISON, Wis.-CUNA Mutual Group said it has taken on a policy of "aggressively" pursuing civil litigation against credit union employees who steal from its insured CUs.

2012 Op Fee Reduced; Checks Due NCUA April 16

MOLINE, Ill.-Nothing runs like a Deere, and perhaps the same can be said for its credit union, too, which has committed itself to running wherever the sponsor runs.

FERNDALE, Mich.-Credit Union ONE here has begun offering financial advice to members via its Facebook page.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.-When it comes to fraudulent account-opening via indirect auto lending, one person says that there's no need for greater concern than there would be with any other new account.

BROOKFIELD, Wis.-The value of close teamwork between the credit union and vendor is reflected in fraud savings.

MISSOULA, Mont.-Surprise audits and dual controls are powerful weapons for credit unions seeking to prevent employee fraud, according to Roberta Smith.

EVERETT, Wash.-Internal fraud is typically the result of three elements-incentives/pressures, rationalization and opportunities. But the only part of this "Fraud Triangle" credit unions can control is the latter.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.-Credit unions need to pay greater attention to PIN fraud, because it's rising fast.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The speed at which fraudsters attack and alter their tactics is changing the game in card fraud prevention, making real-time monitoring much more essential.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Criminals are nothing if not innovative and imaginative. For that reason, Credit Union Journal queried card processors to identify the latest card fraud trends.

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Credit unions can help limit employee fraud through a number of policies and procedures, but Michelle Greear said prevention needs to start even before someone is allowed to join the "family."

BATON ROUGE, La.-Main Street Financial FCU's direction may be uncertain after members rejected a merger with Jefferson Financial CU, but it's clear it will move forward without CEO Pat Duhe.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill.-A debit card fee led to Bank Transfer Day. Now a big jump in bank overdraft pricing could add to the wave of bank customers moving over to credit unions, according to one analyst.

WASHINGTON-As North Carolina state charters gear up for what amounts to two separate exams by state and federal regulators, NASCUS is working to address the situation before it impacts the dual chartering system in the state.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA last week proposed new rules for troubled debt restructurings that will cover how all federally insured credit unions account for delinquencies, charge-offs and income related to troubled home mortgages and member business loans, as well as for how those loans are reported on NCUA's quarterly Call Reports.

WASHINGTON-Credit unions invested more than $140 million in improving consumers financial knowledge during 2010.