Community chartered credit unions have been the primary driver of the industry's growth since since HR 1151 removed legal obstacles to community charters for federally insured credit unions. But not all CU leaders interviewed for this special report on chartering agree that this is entirely a good thing for members, yet given the realities of the U.S. economy, it's hard to argue that the industry can thrive without community charters.

LIVONIA, Mich.-It isn't a single credit union, but an entire state's CUs that are backing a broad effort to help communities across that state.

DUBLIN, Ohio-Moving away from a single sponsor to a wider field of membership creates much-needed balance, which leads to greater growth and longevity, according to BMI FCU.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-To grow, credit unions need to be able to expand their fields of membership, but then they face the added challenge of explaining who is eligible to join, making sure the name doesn't drive people away and that changing the name doesn't end up doing the exact same thing.

OMAHA, Neb.-Ask Kevin Parks about the pros and cons of going to a community charter and he will side on the positives. But the CEO of Centris FCU admits the move is not a growth slam dunk.

IOWA CITY, Iowa-It may be called University of Iowa Community Credit Union, but according to CEO Jeff Disterhoft, the focus is more on the latter part of the name than the former.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.-FAA Credit Union has tried several field of membership models, but the preferred FOM by far is a community charter.

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SPOKANE, Wash.-As was the case with many credit unions associated with military bases, the $344-million Global CU was shaken up by the steep defense cutbacks in the late 1990s.

CHARLESTON, W.Va.-Expanding a credit union's charter makes it easier to sign up those who walk into the credit union, but it does not simplify marketing and it may not improve business results.

MUSKEGEON, Mich.-Muskegon Co-op FCU has not needed to expand its charter since 1949 because the sponsor it serves has a wide reach.

SAN DIEGO-During the six-year period after San Diego County Credit Union moved to a community charter serving the entire county, SDCCU's cumulative growth in total assets was 203%.

SHREVEPORT, La.-For small, single-sponsor credit unions, expanding the charter may sometimes be the only means of survival.

SAN JOSE, Calif.-The CU known today as Technology Credit Union has seen a slew of changes over its five-plus decades, morphing from a single-sponsor CU to one of the larger credit unions in the country with $1.5 billion in assets.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.-For $718-million Xceed Financial CU, its strategy of being a "workplace credit union" rather than opting for a community charter has proven to have much more upside than downside.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-Credit unions all over the country have proven to be very involved in their communities. On this page Credit Union Journal shares some of their strategies and support.

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NEW YORK-American Express Co. is trying to take prepaid debit cards-typically targeted at underbanked consumers-upmarket.

SAN ANSELMO, Calif.-Credit unions are spending approximately $150 per new-account acquisition, according to one new study, which found CUs increased their membership base as well as their deposits volume during the 12 months ending March 2011.

WASHINGTON-The Treasury Department has swapped the carrot for the stick for three of the largest participants in the administration's foreclosure prevention program.