LAS VEGAS-Credit unions must unite against PayPal by offering alternative payment services that members are willing to pay for-before the online giant makes off with all the profits.

Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Ontario, Calif., recently selected board officers. They are: Steven Stapp, Chairman; John Fiore, Vice Chairman; Patricia Smith, Treasurer and Roger Michaelis, Secretary.

SAN FRANCISCO-The exponential adoption of smart phones has helped stabilize mobile banking rates, and mobile banking growth is poised to begin a steady and upward growth trend in 2011, according to a new study from Javelin Strategy & Research.

WASHINGTON-State-chartered credit unions may be lining up to seek refunds of taxes they paid under the IRS' unrelated business income tax rule (UBIT), now that the tax-collecting agency has abandoned its appeal of a court ruling that favored Bellco CU's challenge to UBIT.

LAKE MARY, Fla.-The computer desktops at CFE FCU last twice as long as those at other CUs-and they're most likely more secure.

LAS VEGAS-Virtual desktops are seductive, but it may be best to deploy them slowly. That's according to Michael Norton, manager, information systems, Spokane Teachers CU (STCU), who spoke at the CUNA Technology Council Summit here.

LAKE MARY, Fla.-Kevin Wright, VP-information technology at CFE FCU, offered some key tips for deploying virtual desktops.

WALL STREET-NCUA sold $3.8 billion of bonds last week from the detritus of U.S. Central FCU, the first offering of what is expected to be as much as $35 billion of corporate bonds sold.

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If you haven't seen any of the numerous consumer surveys by now (or the credit union associations pointing them out) regarding how consumers and big bank customers prefer credit unions, you probably haven't heard of that faddish Internet thing, either.

What is extremely unfair to the FI is that this previously profitable accountholder will do what most do when they get mad at their bank or credit union: they will look for another institution that will treat them better.

During times of prosperity and plenty, everyone can be successful with relatively no effort. As we assess the changes being made seemingly every day-the most important thing we can do is go back to our roots, and remember what made our great movement and brought us where we are today.

NCUA figures show that the number of first mortgages grew by just 1.2% during the first six months of 2010. That's a staggeringly small growth rate considering today's historically low interest rates.

EUREKA, Calif. – Coast Central CU has awarded three community grants totaling $50,000 as part of its semi-annual Community Investment Program.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – When Betty Lou Young, who is retiring as manager of Buffalo Police FCU, began her career at the tiny credit union as a part-time file clerk, America had yet to enter World War II and FDR was beginning his third term as president, almost 70 years ago.

GARDEN CITY, Kan. – Golden Plains CU last week broke ground on a 50,000-square-foot corporate headquarters.

WOODLAND, Calif. – Yolo FCU will be offering downpayment grants to lower income homebuyers within Yolo County.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Metro CU has signed with Consumer Loan Services LLC to offer members multiple mortgage programs for purchasing or refinancing their homes.

NORWALK, Conn. – Mutual Security CU has contracted with TCI to implement the company’s DecisionLender suite of lending software.

FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines FCU has signed with PrimeVest Financial Group to provide it with investment and insurance services through the credit union’s newly branded Flagship Financial Group.