PENSACOLA, Fla.-One credit union believes it is well positioned to take advantage of banks' new debit fees and rewards cutbacks, having established a comprehensive rewards program that is driving CU growth.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Credit unions comprise 30% of the firms listed in The Principal Financial Group's just-released "10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security" for 2011.

TACOMA, Wash.-The merger of Sound Credit Union and Watermark CU became "official" on Sept. 1, but the head of surviving Sound CU said the task is far from complete.

Kristie Kennedy, VP of Lending at Service One CU, said a series of "specials" on various loan products has been driving volume, with the biggest response to its FAST Mortgage-short for Fast Amortizing Short Term loan.

LOS ANGELES-The combination of the Occupy Wall Street movement and backlash against new fees from the big banks has spurred "Bank Transfer Day."

SEATTLE-Verity CU here is launching the second incarnation of its "Verity Mom" campaign, but the promotion is just one piece of the CU's larger strategy of marketing to mothers.

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Joette Colletts, regional manager, risk management for CUNA Mutual Group, said she frequently hears "we never thought it could happen to us" after fraudulent activity is discovered.

Study Suggests Best Student Loan Prospects Are At Home

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn showed he had done a little homework prior to recent remarks before NASCUS' annual meeting. "The word 'credit' in Latin means 'to believe,' and that's what credit unions do: they believe in people."

Now is the time to market aggressively to members and non-members alike, making the case for your credit union to become their primary financial institution.

The big banks finally unveiled their response to the fact that instead of making 44 cents on a debit card swipe, they would now only make 24 cents. And the response looks good for credit unions.

BILOXI, Miss. – Coastal CU, formerly Biloxi Municipal CU, has joined Credit Union 24, the nation’s largest fee-free ATM and point-of-sale network.

ROCKFORD, Ill. – A man who robbed two local credit unions and two banks between May and July of 2010 was sentenced to 67 months in federal prison last week.

BUCKSPORT, Maine – Seaboard FCU is selling a cookbook compiled of favorite member and staff recipes, the proceeds of which will go to support the Maine credit union’s Campaign for Ending Hunger.

LOMPOC, Calif. – CoastHills CU said its CoastHills Community Foundation’s fifth annual “Rancho Vino” raised $52,000 for Mission Hope Cancer Center.

ALLENTOWN, Penn. – People First FCU said it named Jeffrey Albert, its senior vice president and chief operating officer, to be president and CEO of the $375-million credit union.

SUMTER, S.C. – A mobile branch once used by SAFE FCU to conduct financial transactions soon will be used as an administrative building for Butters Field, the Lee County Airport.

TAUNTON, Mass. – Taunton FCU plans to open a branch inside Trucchi’s Supermarkets’ new Middleborough store early next year.