WASHINGTON – Efforts to reach a settlement that would end the long-running probe of foreclosure practices are snagged over whether banks will get broad legal immunity from state officials for mortgage-related claims.

VIENNA, Va. – Navy Federal Credit Union is reporting it has seen a “record surge” in mortgage applications over the past 10 days, with volume up more than 50% since early August.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mortgage rates have fallen further.

WASHINGTON – The national delinquency rate on outstanding home mortgages ticked up to 8.44% in the second quarter of 2011, which means roughly $793.4 billion of residential loans are 30 days or more past due.

MADISON, Wis.-Credit Union Journal asked four economists for their advice to credit unions.

AUGUSTA, Ga.-When CSRA Credit Union here merged with Atlanta's Associated CU in late 2009, it did not disappear.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Des Moines Police Officers' CU pays nothing to offer mobile banking to members, and the $35-million credit union knows how to get members interested in the service -pushing adoption by about 45% in four months.

WASHINGTON-Credit unions nationwide have pledged a total of $1 billion toward alternative student loans for the upcoming academic year, and although one executive believes CUs won't come close to meeting that figure, the amount is indicative of a growing lending market.

BOSTON-As credit unions seek to understand reasons for their lending problems, some need to look right in the mirror.

A recent study found 36% of big bank customers trust their bank, versus 58% of credit union members. But the same study found members ages 18 to 34 actually trust CUs less than banks.

ARLINGTON, Va.-With the value of U.S. Treasuries heading higher and their yields lower, experts are split on whether corporates with investments in these securities should be concerned about their income streams.

DALLAS-Move over, Farmville. The Texas Credit Union League is developing a new financial education game that it hopes will rival the popular Facebook application.

ATLANTA-A new series of studies from First Data found a gap between consumers' awareness and usage of mobile banking; and its authors say that bridging that gap could be key to growing Gen Y member share at credit unions.

INDIANAPOLIS-A new program from "ignite" and the Indiana CU League aims to improve communication and collaboration among credit unions in the Hoosier State.

SEATTLE-BECU members here will be able to wave their phone to pay retailers next year, as their credit union joins a number of CUs working to roll out contactless mobile payments.

Rep Pitches Plan To Jump Start Housing

HARRISBURG, Penn.-One credit union is planning to return $200,000 more to members each month and significantly expand its call center to take advantage of the effects of the new interchange rules.

GLASGOW, Scotland-Trust in credit unions is great, but it's not enough to be successful. Being a big credit union is great, as long the CU avoids becoming a small bank. Talk of collaboration is great, but for one group of co-ops it didn't work.

WASHINGTON-Watch out for PayPal, because eventually the company may begin stealing CU members.

LAS VEGAS-Credit Union Journal asked attendees of the National Directors' Convention here, "What is your opinion of the state of director education and the reading of financial statements? What education have you taken?"