CINCINNATI-Credit unions don't need to do anything special when it comes to planning for 2012, according to one executive, as long as they keep their focus on what has made credit unions unique and engendered member loyalty.

ST. JOSEPH, Mich.-United FCU, an active acquirer of troubled credit unions, announced last week said it plans to acquire Griffith Savings Bank, a troubled, $80-million bank in Indiana.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-There's still time to capitalize United Resources FCU, but the clock is ticking and a number of sources are concerned the spin-off of the one-time $34-billion WesCorp will not reach its capital call.

ALL The Report That's Fit To Pring

WESTERN BRIDGE CORPORATE

CARSON CITY, Nev.-"Laughing Gas" is among the reasons Greater Nevada Credit Union booked nearly $8.5 million in auto loans during the second quarter, a 222% increase from the same period last year.

It isn't very often you meet someone whose name is currently on a list of people the Taliban is seeking to kill. And yet one such person shared the story of his work and that of credit unions in Afghanistan.

Many CUs are asking a lot of "what-if" questions. While NCUA cannot answer these questions, as each CU's needs are its own, it can propose a few high-level questions to help decide whether the grass could be greener on the other side.

[The proposed QRM rule] is a horrible requirement for the home mortgage business. We certainly do not need to go back to poor lending habits, but we do need to have in place programs that allow people who CAN purchase a home do it.

I recently read how two CEOs tamed the IT beast in the June 26 issue of Credit Union Journal. Working for the largest credit union in Hawaii, I have been quite surprised by the lack of mature IT approaches in credit unions.

Editor's Note: This letter to the editor was written in response to "Voters Overwhelmingly Support Wall Street Reform" from Credit Union Journal's Daily Briefing, July 20.

LOS ANGELES – Richard Chavez, who helped his older brother – legendary labor organizer Cesar Chavez – found United Farm Workers and its credit union, El Futuro FCU, died here last week at 81.

GALVESTON, Texas – A man serving a life sentence in state prison has sued Amoco FCU, which he claims wrongfully repossessed his vehicle.

BURLINGTON, Mass. – EasCorp on Friday said five more credit unions have agreed to use the DeposZip mobile deposits system offered by its Vertifi Software CUSO.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – San Mateo CU last week said it will open a new branch in low income East Palo Alto this fall in the space formerly occupied by California Bank & Trust.

WEST MONROE, La. – Ouachita Valley FCU said its CEO Donna Wagoner retired Friday after eight years at the helm and will be succeeded as head of the $140 million credit union by longtime vice president Katie Pilcher.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – You’ve likely heard countless advertisements urging you to “Act Now!” With Credit Union Journal’s Day in the Life of Credit Unions project, it’s good advice.

SAN DIEGO – San Diego Metropolitan CU announced Friday it will close two branches effective Sept. 30, and lay off 12 employees as it tries to right itself from difficult times.

NEW HAVEN, Ind. – East Allen FCU is closing its Leo branch Aug. 20, due to a lack of funds, partially attributed to NCUA’s corporate assessments, it told members last week.

PHOENIX – Six people were arrested last week and charged with stealing information from TruWest CU cardholders and making hundreds of fraudulent transactions throughout Maricopa County.