LAKE MARY, Fla.-CUs need to focus on relationship building-and that can happen online as well as in the branch, pointed out Harland Financial Solutions.

GLASGOW, Scotland-For the first time ever at a World Council of Credit Unions event, the flag of Afghanistan stood with the flags of the other 54 nations whose members are represented by the group when WOCCU hosted its annual World CU Conference here.

Home Buying Proposal

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.-A new study reveals that the gender gap is shrinking when it comes to financial literacy, but the lead researcher on the study said that credit unions have an important role to play in closing that gap.

Guidance On Loan-Loss Allowances MADISON, Wis.--The Filene Research Institute has issued a new report, “The Allowance for Loan Losses: Critical Issues for Credit Union Leaders,” which seeks to help “chart a course for credit unions to calculate their particular allowance.” The report was authored by Michael Sacher, and “unpacks the various accounting standards at play and matches them with the expectations of CFOs and credit union examiners alike,” Filene reported. The tactical report is broken into four parts: An introduction to the current ALL trends; an examination of the relevant accounting standards and interpretations, including CU-specific guidance; a model ALL approach for CUs with specific guidance and suggestions for qualitative and environmental (Q& E) factors, and common mistakes.

Redwood CU, Santa Rosa, Calif., named Angela Moore SBA loan services manager and Jim Ward commercial and business lending manager.

ONTARIO, Calif.- To take advantage of an increase in new car sales next year, CUs must start planning now for marketing and improved member-segmentation strategies, insists Credit Union Direct Lending.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.-Taking checking business from banks should be near the top of nearly every CU's 2012 strategic planning list, says Stan Hollen.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-If the Durbin Amendment taught CUs anything, it's that strategic planning can't be a white paper that sits on the shelf every year.

NORTH CANTON, Ohio-One person is reminding credit unions that in planning for 2012 it's important not to forget the threat presented by broken trust.

RIVERWOODS, Ill.-Credit unions have a big chance to make 2012 the year of Gen Y outreach, said one observer.

SAN DIMAS, Calif.-CUs need to do a better job at sales in 2012, but not in the traditional sense, one observer is suggesting.

Toward the end of 2008 I began urging credit unions to devote at least a small amount of time during upcoming strategic planning sessions to developing strategies that would deal with an extended period of ultra-low rates and soft loan demand.

NAPLES, Fla.-The steps may be among the most basic, yet they are often overlooked in strategic planning.

DALLAS-Everyone's heard of Dodd-Frank. But few are as familiar with all it entails as they should be. And that could make for a challenge in 2012, observed one person.

COSTA MESA, Calif.-If a credit union is not offering online account opening and loan processing, it is a topic that should be broached during strategic planning for 2012.

SPOKANE, Wash.-Credit unions have always prided themselves on knowing their markets and communities. But that's just not enough when it comes to planning for 2012, according to one person.

SAN ANTONIO-SWBC's strategic planning advice to credit unions: You can't put too many eggs in the lending basket to drive ROA next year.

SAN DIEGO-One company that has insights into what credit unions and banks are planning for 2012 said the former had better prepare for even more formidable competition from the latter.

DES MOINES, Iowa-It's time for the credit union to get creative with lending in planning sessions, because the plain vanilla 2.9% auto loan rate is not going to cut it anymore.