SPARTANBURG, S.C.-Carolina Foothills FCU (CFFCU) here knew it was time to ask for IT help when it merged with nearby Community 1 CU. CFFCU, after all, is migrating to Community's core system, and Community is adopting CFFCU's managed IT services.

CU Launches Smart Phone AppsRome, N.Y.-AmeriCU Credit Union launched new applications for iPhone & Android users for its recently upgraded mobile banking platform. The credit union reported that 11,000 of its 115,000 members use mobile banking services, and of those 11% are Android users and 55% are iPhone users. The new apps are also integrated with smart phone GPS, which locates AmeriCU's financial centers and ATMs within the closest proximity. Links can be found at www.AmeriCU.org.iPad Giveaway Boosts E-StatementsHas art, Community First iPad.jpgOTTUMWA, Iowa-The chance to win a new iPad2 for switching from printed statements to e-statements, encouraged more than 1,300 Community 1st Credit Union members to go paperless and sign up for e-statements, the CU reported. Its "Go Paperless & Win an iPad2" campaign, which kicked off the last week of August and went through the end of October, increased the 46,000-member credit union's e-statement enrollments by 2.5%.SECU Adds Text BankingLINTHICUM, Md.-SECU here has enhanced its mobile banking offerings and now offers Text Banking and an iPhone app for Mobile Banking, along with Mobile Deposit for iPhones and iPads. The credit union said it is preparing to release Android and BlackBerry apps with Mobile Deposit soon.For info: www.secumd.org/mobile.Xtreme Bank MakeoverEL SEGUNDO, Calif.-Xceed Financial FCU has rolled out what it is calling "Extreme Makeover: Online Banking Edition." "The all-new online financial resource provides members with advanced financial management and budgeting tools, along with traditional online banking functions that have been made more flexible and easier to use," the credit union said. The enhanced options include the ability for members to include cash transactions and accounts from other financial institutions.Member education has included a series of Extreme Makeover-themed member emails, standard mail, in-branch marketing materials, and web-based promotions.Downloads Track UpgradeHas art, MCU Android.jpgSAN JOSE, Calif. Meriwest Credit Union reported that its members performed more than 2,500 downloads to upgrade or install a new version of the Meriwest Mobile Banking application on both the iPhone and Android platforms. The upgraded versions provide enhanced usability, more detail in transaction histories and access to built-in financial tools, the credit union said.

FAIRFAX, Va. – People love their smart phones — almost literally — which is helping to make mobile banking a big hit at Apple Federal and Eastman credit unions.

TUKWILA, Wash.-Bank customers who want to become credit union members may give up when they try to switch their electronic payments.

WARREN, N.J.-Google Wallet and its rivals are coming soon to bank customers' mobile phones-but it turns out the vast majority of those customers couldn't care less.

CHARLESTON, W.Va.-No matter where CFO Dan McGowan goes, he takes his business intelligence tools with him when he sets out to turn around a CU.

WASHINGTON-Credit union leaders called on Congress last week to amend required disclosures at ATMs, eliminate annual privacy notices required for members and reduce financial reporting for small credit unions in the next round of regulatory relief currently being drafted.

WASHINGTON-Checking accounts are growing at five times the rate of CU membership, indicating that more members are making the credit union their PFI.

SENATE DELAYS NOMINATION

Alliant Unveils Money Matters

As one of the country's leading providers of mystery shopping services to credit unions, I'd like to refute several misrepresentations contained in a report comparing phone satisfaction surveys to mystery shopping.

There is one universal truth when it comes to social media, and conveniently, it can be expressed in fewer than 140 characters: Everyone thinks everyone else has it figured out.

Congratulations to Stan Hollen and Company at CO-OP Financial Services for understanding that credit unions actually do compete with banks for the hearts and minds of Americans.

Thank you to Frank J. Diekmann for jumping up and down and hitting us member credit unions over the head on charter conversions to mutual savings bank charters. This is not about the affairs of other credit unions. It is about the integrity of the credit union name.

It's an involved decision process, but now that you're ready to choose a technology solution for your credit union, the process is over. Or is it? Here are five factors to consider.

LEAGUE CITY, Texas – Associated CU has implemented CUTEK’s accounting closing solution that walks credit union employees through the account closing process with outgoing members.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A man and woman brought along their two-year-old child during a foiled robbery at Freedom Financial FCU Friday morning, according to police.

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Columbia CU and seven Rotary Clubs in Clark County joined together to provide 6,000 dictionaries to Clark County third graders as part of Rotary International’s focus on literacy.

PORTLAND, Me. — Eight nonprofit organizations from southern Maine were presented with grants totaling $25,000 tonight at Town and Country FCU’s Better Neighbors awards ceremony.

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Affinity One FCU has named Melinda Best, chief operating officer for the $30 million credit union, as president and CEO.