DENVER-Saying the name and business citations, including a website address, are too similar, California's Partners FCU has filed suit in federal court claiming the newly created Partner CU-an amalgamation of Eagle Legacy CU and Denver Water CU-infringes on its trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

PLEASANTON, Calif.-Summer vacation may have just begun, but 1st United Services Credit Union here is already thinking about back to school-or, more specifically, its "Back to Schools Challenge," which gives local institutions the chance to win as much as $10,000.

SAN FRANCISCO-Banks, credit unions' and credit card networks' mobile payment systems will be more secure than plastic cards, but a consumer advocacy group says these systems lack vital safeguards.

SAN ANTONIO-Loanliner.com loan applications from CUNA Mutual soon will be available on smartphones, thanks to a technology optimization for mobile web.

CLEVELAND-A local church, emerging as one of the biggest victims of last year's collapse of St. Paul Croatian FCU, has filed suit in federal court here over NCUA's denial of a $1.5 million deposit insurance claim, the latest in a growing number of legal claimants in the widening scandal.

Credit Union Journal requested an interview with NCUA to discuss a number of matters surrounding the demise of St. Paul Croatian FCU — including how so many red flags were overlooked or missed — and what steps the agency is taking in light of its own internal report that is critical of the agency. NCUA chose to reply with a written response to those questions.

EASTLAKE, Ohio-The Croatian community here is still trying to sort through the alleged criminal wrongdoing that brought down a credit union that had been a trusted presence in the community for 67 years and whose shutdown has left a void, confusion and anger.

ST. LOUIS-Lawyers for Minnesota's TCF Bank told a federal appeals court last week that the Fed's proposed cap on debit fees amounts to an unconstitutional "taking" of its assets, in a last-ditch effort by banks and credit unions to block the Fed's final rule.

MARIETTA, Ga.-Less versus more could mean a whole lot more business for LGE Community CU here, thanks to a new commercial being aired in the region.

PORTLAND, Ore.-Credit unions have long struggled to find the right mix of experience and fresh ideas for their boards of directors, and one CU believes it has found a good balance.

MADISON, Wis.-A report examining credit union trends at mid-year 2011 finds the picture strongly resembles that of mid-year 2010.

SAN FRANCISCO-Wells Fargo & Co. has decided to exit reverse mortgages after federal officials insisted it foreclose on elderly customers who were behind on property tax and insurance payments, a Wells executive wrote in an email to business contacts last week.

KABUL, Afghanistan-Despite weekly, sometimes daily, security risks across parts of Afghanistan, the country's Islamic investment and finance cooperatives (IIFCs), or credit unions, are providing increasing levels of working capital to small and medium-scale business owners and farmers.

International Regulators Confer

NYIB To Meet In Pittsburgh July 25-28

MANCHESTER, N.H.-St. Mary's Bank, the nation's first credit union, said it is making $2.5 million in new funding available to first-time home buyers through its HLPR (pronounced "Helper") program. "Our goal is to find the right financial solutions for our members and the HLPR Program is a significant asset in achieving our goals for homeownership," said Karen Mayrand, St. Mary's Bank Director of Residential Lending. "HLPR minimizes the down payment, eliminates the private mortgage insurance payment putting homeownership within reach for many families, plus keeps monthly payments manageable for the long term."

Wisconsin's Credit Unions Report Strong Growth During Q1

PORTLAND, Maine-Following a search that attracted 26 applicants, Maine's credit unions have selected the spokesperson for their "Young & Free" campaign. Seth Poplaski, a 24-year-old Winterport native who now lives in Bangor, was selected for the position. Poplaski discovered he had won the job at an announcement party in Bangor, where he was surprised with nearly 50 of his friends and family, in addition to over 50 representatives from Maine credit unions, according to the Maine league.

WASHINGTON-Parents continue to be the most important factor in developing good financial habits, and that isn't always a good thing, a new survey has found. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling's (NFCC) 2011 Financial Literacy Survey found that 42% of those surveyed indicated that they learned the most about personal finance from their parents.

Silver States To Relocate Branch