ONTARIO, Calif. – Financial Service Centers Cooperative (FSCC) has announced a partnership it says will make it simple for CUs to offer foreign currency purchases.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cornerstone Financial CU has contracted with International Scholarship and Tuition Services to manage application processing and funds disbursement for its new $25,000 scholarship program.

MISSOULA, Mont. – Montana Educators’ CU contracted with Fifth Third Processing Solutions for electronic funds transfer services, including ATM and debit card processing services, card production, fraud protection, debit marketing, rewards programs, and gateway services.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Coastal FCU signed with CRIF Lending Solutions for loan origination solutions.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Publix Employees FCU has deployed Edcomm Banker’s Academy Teller System Simulation Training program for Symitar Episys.

JACKSON, Miss. – Hope CU has signed with Gila Group to provide collection services on its delinquent accounts.

RALEIGH, N.C. – State Employees’ CU announced yesterday it is eliminating appraisal fees for home equity lines of credit and closed end second mortgages.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Corporate One FCU said yesterday it is offering mutual funds for credit unions through two Federated Investor funds.

WASHINGTON – Mortgage rates declined again this week, for the third straight week, according to Freddie Mac.

BILOXI, Miss. – Navy FCU will continue its expansion into non-Navy facilities with a new branch here Monday to serve more than 15,000 U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense personnel at Keesler Air Force Base.

SAN ANTONIO – Firstmark CU yesterday rolled out its latest mobile platform, the Firstmark Android Application.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Premier CU announced yesterday it will add online, mobile and social payments platform Dwolla to its existing member services.

CHELSEA, Mass. – Metro, one of the biggest credit unions in the Bay State, will get access to more than 100,000 students at a dozen area colleges with the planned merger of University CU.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Credit unions across the country reported a strong fourth quarter, cutting operating expenses to boost return-on-assets, as the economic rebound appears at hand, according to NCUA. ROA, the key profitability indicator, rose to 0.51% for the fourth quarter, up from 0.45% for the third quarter, and just 0.18% at year-end 2009. While operating expenses -- including stabilization expenses, cost of funds, and provision for loan loss expenses -- declined. Still, there are some troubling signs, as both lending and membership declined in the fourth quarter, while share growth was very tepid, less than 1%. For the year, lending declined by more than 1.3%. “Credit unions, as a whole, are exhibiting positive trends in their operations,” said NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz. “As the nation emerges from a prolonged economic contraction, the stabilization of many strategic indicators and evidence of improving economic trends demonstrate positive developments for credit unions.” “Virtually every key ratio improved by year-end -- net worth climbed to 10.06 %; return on average assets grew 33 basis points after recovering from a decline in 2008 and showing slight improvement in 2009; and delinquencies, charge-offs, and cost of funds declined.” Delinquencies remained at historically high levels, ending 2010 at 1.74%, and the charge-off ratio was 1.1% Credit union member bankruptcies continue to increase also and were up by 3% over 2009 to a new high.ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Credit unions across the country reported a strong fourth quarter, cutting operating expenses to boost return-on-assets, as the economic rebound appears at hand, according to NCUA.

CHAMBERSBURG, Penn. – Metro Bank has agreed to drop its red M logo to settle a trademark suit brought by Members 1st FCU, long-time users of a distinctive red M to promote its brand. The change to the logo is the basis for last week’s termination of a suit brought in June 2009 by the $1.9 billion credit union, a few weeks after the local bank rolled out its new brand using a similar M. The suit claimed that Metro Bank, formed by the merger of Commerce Bank and Republic First Bank, was intentionally piggy-backing on the credit union’s successful M campaign to steal customers with new ads and other marketing material. The symbol, which runs on Members 1st’s billboards and TV ads, as well as on statements and all print material, are so similar that some consumers have mistook the credit union for the bank. The logos are similar but not identical. Metro Bank’s M has a break in its left side. The Members 1st M has a break on the right side to form a 1st from a leg of the M. Officials with Members 1st were not immediately available to comment.

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man known as the “U-30 Bandit” for eight robberies he claimed were committed in less than 30 seconds was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

PITTSBURGH – A former head teller at West-Aircomm FCU was indicted Tuesday on charges of stealing $400,000.

LOWELL, Mass. – NMTW Community CU sponsored the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ “Tour de Pooch and Pals” Spin for Animals, which raised more than $24,000 for the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Black Hills FCU, the biggest credit union in South Dakota, said it signed with Fynanz to offer the company’s customized private student loans to members.

LINTHICUM, Md. – State Employees CU of Maryland launched a Facebook page to get members and prospective members information about financial education and events in the community in a fast and convenient fashion.