MONETT, Mo. – In the latest sign of an improving environment for credit unions, Jack Henry & Associates on Tuesday reported net income for its fiscal first quarter ended Sept. 30 rose 15%, while its sales backlog grew by 10% to $361.2 million.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – State regulators have approved a request from a credit union to provide life insurance to volunteer directors.

Bank of America has dumped its unpopular and much criticized plan to charge a $5 monthly fees to customers who use debit cards to make purchases.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – State regulators said this morning they have approved the conversion to state charter for NavyArmy FCU, facilitating a broad community charter for the $1.3 billion credit union which would encompass 1.2 million people in surrounding Hidalgo and Cameron counties.

READING, Penn. – Members and employees of Utilities Employees CU are mourning the death of Fred Heatwole, the former treasurer and managing director (CEO) for 14 years, at 84.

MANSFIELD, Texas – To commemorate its 75th anniversary, Texas Trust CU has pledged to give up to $25,000 to the North Texas Food Bank.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Risk Strategies Company is now offering the Credit Union Health Benefits of America Plan to credit unions nationwide seeking an alternative to traditional medical insurance.

WASHINGTON – Treasury Department FCU has selected Trusteer’s Rapport to meet the new regulatory security guidelines for online banking security and protect its members from malware aimed at stealing funds and personal information.

BALTIMORE – Johns Hopkins FCU has signed a multi-year deal with Connect Financial Software Solutions to implement the company’s consumer suite of Internet Banking, and significant customization services.

COLUMBIA, Md. – The Maryland & DC CU Association this week launched a new, five-week advertising and marketing campaign featuring radio, digital outdoor banners and online spots.

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. – United FCU, which is poised to become one of the first credit unions to acquire a bank, on Monday said it plans to build a new headquarters and add up to 500 jobs by 2020.

GREENWOOD, VILLAGE, Colo. – Bellco CU launched a photo contest as part of a social media contest to select potential new Visa card designs.

MINNEAPOLIS – A local mortgage broker who helped borrowers tap area credit unions and banks for more than $8 million in home loans at inflated prices was sentenced yesterday to 10-and-a-half years in prison.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — CO-OP Financial Services rolled out an expanded rewards offering this morning that will allow credit unions to offer rewards on debit cards, leveraging an online shopping portal to earn cash back for members.

TOTOWA, N.J.-North Jersey FCU here has grown its share of business accounts after holding its first-ever small business summit, with at least one sizeable loan in the pipeline as a result.

Debit Volume Drives 14% Increase For Visa's Q4

WASHINGTON-Some observers are saying there are potential questions about last week's presidential nomination to the NCUA Board of Washington, D.C. credit union CEO Carla Leon-Decker, who would be the second former CU executive to be sitting on the three-member panel.

YORKTOWN, Va.-Longtime 1st Advantage FCU CEO Adrian "Casey" Duplantier has announced he will retire at the end of the year. Duplantier has spent 30 years in the credit union industry, the past 25 at the $500 million credit union, which was chartered as Fort Eustis FCU. A successor will be selected and in place by the end of 2011. Duplantier shares his thoughts here.

FT. MYERS, Fla.-A federal judge agreed to NCUA's request to strike a jury trial in a suit where the regulator is seeking to foreclose on some two dozen borrowers from one of three credit unions caught in ill-fated Florida real estate speculation.

BOULDER, Colo.-Not every credit union sees the need to have a formal "switch kit." Dennis Paul, AVP with the $966-million Elevations Credit Union, here, noted that what ECU lacks in such a kit, it makes up for with a well-established procedure when a bank customer comes in and wants to join.