SAN DIEGO-As the U.S. economy enters 2012, an "Age of Anxiety" continues to undermine confidence. But one person believes credit unions can capitalize on the uneasiness.

NEW YORK-If the economy rebounds in 2012 some of the last people to feel it will be CUs that are part of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.

MADISON, Wis.-A popular project from the Filene Research Center's i3 Innovation Hub is working its way through the process of being built out for piloting by credit unions.

GLENDALE, Calif.-Los Angeles said a partnership it built with the City of Los Angeles will continue into 2012.

SHEFFIELD, Ala.-Listerhill CU here has launched the website www.Iheartmycreditunion.org as a way not only to boost its own traffic, but to capitalize on growing public interest in credit unions.

SALEM, Ore.-As credit unions continue to look for new methods of reaching members and potential new members, $410-million Maps Credit Union recently debuted its Ustream account with a virtual press conference.

WASHINGTON-NCUA will change its exam procedures in 2012 to focus examiners' time on credit unions that post the greatest risk.

CUSP Launches Native Division

Credit Union ONE, Ferndale, Mich., named Tamara DePonio manager for its Traverse City branch and Michelle Kilinski assistant branch manager for the same office.

ARLINGTON, Va.-A significant regulatory focus in 2011-risk management-will remain a focus in 2012.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-Consumers are more satisfied than ever with credit unions, and dissatisfied with banks. Except for where they are more satisfied with banks and credit unions are slipping. Except for where consumers are simply dissatisfied with all financial services providers.

INDIANAPOLIS-As Finance Center FCU shifts into 2012, it is shelving its "Shift Indiana" program that aimed to shine a light on non-profits with similar "people helping people" philosophies.

ATLANTA-There are signs of life in prime borrowers and that could bode well for lending growth improvement in 2012.

SLEEPY EYE, Minn.-Investment in product training is paying dividends at SouthPoint FCU here, which is approaching an average of four products per member.

SAN DIEGO-The leaders of three small CUs are emphasizing that in 2012 limited asset size does not mean limited opportunities in membership growth, investments and small business lending.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill.-It's a long way from those early cigar boxes. Credit unions are expected to surpass $1-trillion in total assets sometime later this year, perhaps in the first half of the year.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA last week said that following the sale of U.S. Central FCU's electronic banking services to CO-OP Financial Services it will move forward with plans for an orderly wind-down of the other U.S. Central services in 2012.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-The staple of credit union lending, the used car loan, could be riskier this year.

May Announces Retirement Plans

A common mistake that financial institutions make is simply spamming social network pages with automated messages and promotions. The key... is to engage and be genuine.