NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.-Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSOs) are poised at a point of tremendous opportunity, according to several analysts. But many are also suggesting that those opportunities may fall by the wayside if Congress grants NCUA further regulatory authority over the CUSOs.

WASHINGTON-Speaker of the House John Boehner told credit unions they are being punished for the financial crisis of 2008-09, even though they had nothing to do with it. Boehner told GAC the punishment is coming in the form of the Dodd-Frank Act.

WASHINGTON-NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland told CUNA's GAC that she understands the need to actively pursue new avenues for growth, and that the agency is going to do its part by reducing regulatory burden through the review process and increasing the definition of a small credit union to $50 million.

WASHINGTON-The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will take aim at the huge paperwork requirements in the mortgage process as its first project, with a new try at combining disclosures for the TILA and the RESPA, according to Elizabeth Warren, the White House advisor who is organizing the consumer agency.

WASHINGTON-Credit unions again presented their highest honors here last week, the Herb Wegner Awards. Here's a look at what each of the honorees had to say.

WASHINGTON-CUNA hosted more than 4,000 people here last week for its annual Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC). Here's a look at some highlights from the meeting.

WASHINGTON-Several key lawmakers expressed support last week for a joint credit union and bank effort to delay the proposed rule capping fees on debit transactions, but none has committed to introducing a bill yet.

WASHINGTON-Credit unions are being urged to begin preparing now for the potential impacts from the loss of interchange revenue-including considering job cuts and significant repricing of services.

WARNER ROBINS, Ga.-Numerous business practices are responsible for Robins FCU's 1.49% ROA in 2010-including new technology, employee training, and net interest margin management. Yet the credit union says one simple business philosophy has made the biggest contribution.

4 CUs Tap TMG For Card Processing

Fifth Third Processing Inks 6 CUs

SEATTLE-In the latest mega-merger among credit unions, last Monday Watermark CU announced it is combining with Tacoma's Sound CU to create a credit union with more than $1.1 billion in assets.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Credit union net income was up 208% during Q4 2010, according to NCUA data released last week, although credit union membership actually declined during the quarter.

Brett Martinez, CEO of Redwood CU, Santa Rosa, Calif., has been elected to CUNA's board of directors.

Higher Income, Higher Deposits

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-Credit Union 1 managed to jump start its fourth quarter lending activity and stir some excitement among its members with a "Clean Slate Giveaway" promotion.

LAS VEGAS-Criminals target ATMs for one simple reason-they contain cash. But there are a seemingly endless number of methods to try to steal this cash, according to Peter Kulik, VP of product management for Fifth Third Processing Solutions.

LAS VEGAS-There are never ending waves of fraud crashing on financial institutions, so credit unions must be constantly updating their knowledge base-and educating their members-to keep up.

LAS VEGAS-Credit Union Journal asked attendees of NAFCU's Technology & Security Conference here where their CUs will be investing their technology dollars in 2011, and why.

LAS VEGAS-A glance at fraud statistics would seem to yield an obvious solution: the United States needs to catch up with the rest of the world and upgrade old-school magnetic stripe cards to modern chip and PIN models.