Credit unions both as a community and individually have hired some famous names to act as spokespersons over the years. But one credit union may have set a record for famous spokespersons with its latest TV ad.

In the business of growing checking account revenue, we see clear winners and losers as a result of the Fed's proposed rulemaking on the Durbin Amendment, and some for whom the status quo will continue to exist.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, employees, and partners of Northeast CUSO we want to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to Fred Healey for his years of service to our company.

GREENBELT, Md. — As the Maryland/DC CU Association prepares to hold focus group sessions with its membership on the proposed merger with the New Jersey league, sources suggest the association may encounter opposition to the consolidation during the meetings.

A review of call reports filed with FDIC and compiled by BankRegData.com, shows that average compensation at banks in the last few years rose — and at the same rate as it did before the crisis.

RALEIGH, N.C. — State Employees' Credit Union was a Top 10 lender in 2010, but it wasn't due to some sophisticated marketing strategy.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Although housing market declines have led to steep losses for many lenders, the $5.4 billion Star One Credit Union's 2010 lending growth was fueled largely by booking mortgages.

CLEVELAND — For those credit unions lacking the appetite to recapitalize the corporates, many are considering going directly to the Federal Reserve for item processing.

TUKWILA, Wash. — At least one credit union said it is scrambling to ensure mobile banking applications keep running — and a CUSO that supports many CUs stopped testing its applications — after apparently being told that their provider, Firethorn Holdings, LLC, will shut down Sept. 30.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke notified Congress last week that the Fed will not be able to meet an April 21 deadline for approving a final rule on debit fees, but said it still expects to meet a July 21 implementation deadline.

LANSING, Mich. — It's time to get to the point and let consumers know the Durbin Amendment will take away free checking, according to a campaign with major financial backing from credit unions here.

LIVE OAK, Texas — There's risk-based pricing, and then there's the risk-based relationship pricing model practiced by Randolph-Brooks FCU.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Central FCU borrowed billions of dollars in dozens of short-term emergency loans from the Federal Reserve’s discount window as losses on the central bank for credit unions continued to grow in the summer and fall of 2008, according to records made public by the Fed yesterday. The increased lending from the discount window came as the Fed cut the loan rate by 50 basis points and as mounting losses on investments were making it increasingly expensive for the Lenexa, Kan., corporate giant to borrow in the public markets by selling short-term commercial paper, or at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, where it had almost exhausted a $7 billion line of credit. The one-time $52 billion corporate was also tapping into the Fed’s specially created short-term Term Auction Facility for billions of dollars at the time, topping out at a $5 billion 28-day loan, the Fed’s records show. The Fed’s lending, however, was not enough to save the one-time central bank for credit unions, as NCUA was needed to chime in with an emergency $1 billion loan of its own in January 2009, just two months before the increasing losses required it to take over U.S. Central in the biggest credit union failure ever. Several other credit unions also tapped into the Fed’s discount window during the heightening financial crisis in 2008, but growing losses barred some from accessing the emergency loans, including Members United Corporate FCU, which was also eventually taken over by NCUA. The Fed’s records show an extraordinary use of the discount window by banks large and small, and many foreign institutions during the growing financial crisis. Among the largest borrowers were European banks Dexia SA and Depfa, a subsidiary of German Hypo Real Estate Group. Banks from Spain, France and Japan also tapped into the Fed’s discounted loan facility. The Fed usually keeps the records of its lending activities secret so as not to trigger a run on any one institution but the extraordinary records of activity during the financial crisis were ordered made public by a federal court after a lawsuit by several leading news organizations. WASHINGTON – U.S. Central FCU borrowed billions of dollars in dozens of short-term emergency loans from the Federal Reserve’s discount window as losses on the central bank for credit unions continued to grow in the summer and fall of 2008, according to records made public by the Fed yesterday.

PINEVILLE, La. – The Heart of Louisiana CU is looking for members between the ages of 5 and 8 to represent the credit union in a new ad campaign.

SALT LAKE CITY – Mountain America CU said its Mountain America Financial Services CUSO signed with 8 Pillars LLC to provide financial literacy classes to both individuals and organizations.

LOWELL, Mass. – Jeanne D’Arc CU has launched a new website, called WeShareACommonThread.org, which focuses on area communities and includes information on community events, high school happenings, local history and the arts scene.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charleston Newspapers FCU has agreed to merge into Members Choice WV FCU, the latest media credit union to close its presses.

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Police CU has signed with California Reverse Mortgage Consultants to offer the company’s reverse mortgages.

AUSTIN, Texas – Greater Texas FCU has signed with Ovation Payroll to offer small and large member businesses the option of a payroll provider.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Unitus Community CU said it has selected the Interactive Intelligence all-in-one IP communications software suite, Customer Interaction Center, for use throughout its organization.