It was proceeding like your standard mystery shop -- until the mystery shoppers asked: "Tell me, why should I do business with you instead of the bank across the street?"

Examiners seem to have plenty of time on their hands for petty irritations and reprisal.

I am the CEO of a credit union which fortunately is doing fairly well in these very difficult times, but with NCUA and their illustrious Board of Directors, who knows what lies ahead.

I support NCUA pay raises and new staff. I am not satisfied with the job that NCUA is doing. But we have to give them the resources to improve.

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah CU Foundation, one of the most active credit union foundations in the country, is giving out a total of $9,000 to three schools so they can buy learning materials.

LAFAYETTE, La. – Industrial FCU opened its newest Lafayette branch here Friday, inside the member center on the St. Elizabeth East Hospital campus.

KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Ulster County Industrial Development Agency approved a package of financial incentives last week for a new Mid-Hudson Valley FCU branch in nearby Port Ewen.

VIENNA, Va. – Fast-growing Navy FCU will continue its marketing assault on new fronts this morning with the opening of four new branches, making 27 branches added so far this year by the $45 billion credit union.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Motion Picture FCU, a one-time $6 million credit union fighting off red ink and diminishing resources the past few years has agreed to merge into Musicians’ Interguild CU.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Shaw family, which improved their credit score by 161 points, increased their savings to $3,016 and decreased their debt to $2,798, was awarded Florida Commerce CU’s $10,000 weLiveFIT Challenge grand prize on Friday.

AUGUSTA, Me. – Maine credit unions are planning an expansion of their successful awareness campaign next year with television spots featuring topics of lending, technology, convenience, shared branching, savings, and locality that build on this year’s ads.

WALL STREET – NCUA quickly sold $1.16 billion Friday of its NCUA Guaranteed Notes supported by student loan receivables owned by the five failed corporate credit unions, representing a departure from the five previous offerings that were backed by residential or commercial mortgages.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Eastman CU will celebrate another successful year by paying members an extraordinary dividend of $4 million for 2010.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A proposal by NCUA to restrict credit unions to membership in a single corporate could be prove to be anti-competitive and drive credit unions outside the corporate system for vital services, credit unions are telling NCUA.

CONCORD, Calif. – Vacaville-based Travis CU has agreed to acquire troubled Metro 1 CU, a one-time $206 million credit union, expanding its presence in San Francisco’s East Bay, the two credit union’s announced this morning.

ROY, Utah – America First CU, as part of its annual shoes for the needy Christmas promotion, provided 500 students with a new pair of shoes.

LAKELAND, Fla. – MidFlorida FCU plans to renovate the Federal Building, the city’s first post office, to restore its 1919 style, then lease it from the city, which owns the property.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Pentagon FCU said it has opened a branch in Honolulu, its second Hawaii branch, as a result of its merger with Tripler FCU, a $12 million Honolulu credit union.

AUSTIN, Texas – University FCU has signed with Geezeo to implement the company’s personal financial management solution and integrated marketing platform.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Santa Cruz Community CU has hired well-known community development credit union activist Bill Myers as interim CEO, while the $86 million CDCU searches for a permanent chief.