CHICAGO-As credit unions seek to grow business lending, one person is warning that written agreements between business clients and CUs are key to managing risk in that sector.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Credit unions may have an opportunity to grab retail share in some markets with news from Bank of America that it plans to close approximately 750 branches nationally.

RALEIGH, N.C. - State Employees' CU has become the first credit union to publicly disclose its confidential financial condition as determined by regulators-its CAMEL code.

MADISON, Wis.-One new analysis of the economy that lies ahead sums up the "good news" this way: "the U.S. economy will limp along for the next several quarters."

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RICHMOND, Va.-The recent move by Visa and MasterCard to increase fees merchants pay on small-ticket debit buys has raised concerns that retailers will institute purchase minimums.

MADISON, Wis.-Credit unions need to make even stronger efforts to ramp up mortgage loans, according to one analyst.

MINOT, N.D.-After a whirlwind three months, GEM FCU here has opened its new building; its former location was a casualty of the flooding that ravaged Minot this summer.

LAS VEGAS-The question of what should be done with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is drawing wildly different opinions.

NAPERVILLE, Ill.-Following its Small Asset CU conference, the Illinois CU League has now launched a Small Asset Size (SAS) Credit Union Advisory Group, including the state's first-ever action plan for credit unions with $25 million or less in assets.

MADISON, Wis.-International Credit Union Day will be celebrated this week, but this year the annual event is also serving as an appetizer for the United Nations' International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), which kicks off on October 31 at the U.N. General Assembly.

CHICAGO-North Side Community FCU here is using International CU Day to launch "Better Directions: Financial Security Has No Age Limit," a national campaign being run in partnership with the National Council on Aging and the National Federation of Community Development CUs.

SAN FRANCISCO — Banks have long argued that processing debit card transactions by starting with the largest dollar balances and working their way to the smallest benefited customers. But new documents reveal an alternate explanation: big profits.

COLUMBUS, Ohio-Credit unions are busy washing off the welcome mat for bank customers who may be put off by a new wave of bank fees.

LAS VEGAS-Credit unions still have a long way to go with real estate agents, according to two at least two Realtors.

LAS VEGAS-While some credit unions have struggled to make connections with Realtors, one CU established a relationship that worked so well, it purchased the realty company and brought Realtor Ed Birdsong in house.

MADISON, Wis.-Underwriting member business loans isn't like underwriting consumer loans, one person is cautioning.

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WICHITA, Kan. -Intrust Financial Corp., formerly First National Bank of Wichita, has filed suit against Entrust Financial CU, claiming the small Virginia credit union is infringing on a trademark and service mark it registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

CHICAGO -Two companies with numerous credit union clients announced developments related to person-to-person payment networks last week.