Consumer confidence continues to slide for credit union members, both regarding the overall economy and their own finances, according to a new survey released last week by Discover Financial Services.

One lucky and creative couple will win a night on the town later this year, courtesy of the $47-million FAACU, which is now accepting applications for its "Date Night Challenge."

Michael Barr, the former Assistant Secretary at Treasury who helped implement the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and helped draft the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, was named a research fellow last week by the Filene Research Institute.

NEWARK, N.J. — Last year was a record year for life insurance sales among financial institutions, according to Prudential, which insists insurance is a product not affected by the economy.

HONOLULU-Benefits received by board members at Hawaii State FCU, including up to seven off-island trips per year and certain reimbursed costs for board spouses and companions, have become the subject of newspaper coverage here.

PSCU To Host Workshop In San Antonio

2 CUs Move To Fifth Third

DULUTH, Minn.-One CU is stressing that sustainability efforts should not overlook the "human aspect" of conserving resources, even as it puts in place changes it projects will deliver $50,000 in annual savings.

LIVONIA, Mich.-Citing easier access to its grassroots advocacy web pages as the reason-and not growing anger among CU leaders toward the NCUA-the Michigan CU League created a new tool on its homepage called "Operation Grassroots."

NAFCU last week called on NCUA to step up its efforts to seek recoveries from third parties responsible for the massive losses experienced by corporate credit unions.

Call For Scholarship Applicants

OHFCU's "Next Top Credit Union Member" contest asked members to submit an entry and explain why the credit union has made a difference in their lives.

Security Service FCU, Longmont, Colo., tapped Amy Tankovich to serve as HR manager for its Denver and Northern Colorado market.

Servus Credit Union in Alberta, Canada, said it is seeking to help its community fulfill their New Year's Resolutions through an initiative they are calling the Feel Good Ripple program.

By now, your strategic planning for 2011 is undoubtedly completed. Yet at this point, it is difficult for any of us in the credit union world to tell how effective our planning will be.

If Ms. Matz could only hear the message from the crowd that many of us believe, which is that more NCUA spending on old solutions will only lead to them being a bigger and easier target.

I have never seen such a gutless individual as the author of the article that appeared in Credit Union Journal on Jan. 10 titled "Why I'm Not Willing to Sign My Name."

CHANTILLY, Va. – Shares in Online Resources Corp., one of the survivors of the 2006-2007 takeover binge among financial service provides, surged Friday after the company said it was evaluating unsolicited merger offers. Company shares soared as much as 50% Friday, before closing up 33% at $6.07, with an unusually high 1.8 million shares changing hands. The offers come as Online Resources has been struggling, reporting a third quarter loss of $711,000 amid flat revenue growth, and a three-quarter loss of $2.2 million. “The Board is considering these alternatives against the long-term strategic growth plan that it recently approved in order to determine whether there is now an option that can deliver greater shareholder value,” the company said in a statement. “Under the strategic plan, the Company has enhanced its management team and is currently investing in technology, products and organizational structure to drive revenue growth and margin improvement.” Possible suitors are believed to be Fiserv, Jack Henry & Associates and Western Union, among others. The company said it hired Raymond James & Associates as its financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis as its legal counsel to evaluate possible takeover offers.

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Hugh Lawson Hembree III, who worked his way up to chief executive of trucking conglomerate Arkansas Best Corp., while founding what is now a $100 million credit union, Arkansas Best FCU, died Friday at 79.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three men were arrested last week and charged with an unsuccessful bid to steal a VyStar CU ATM and three other cash machines thefts.