ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA said last week that projected losses for the National CU Share Insurance Fund surged to a record $1.2 billion at the end of August, forcing the agency to assess a 12.4 basis points, or $933 million, premium, in order to replenish the fund's diminishing reserves.

BROOKFIELD, Wis.-Credit unions should prepare for many more Reg E opt-ins before year's end, according to Fiserv, which is proposing several strategies for CUs still seeking responses from high-volume overdraft users.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill.-Credit unions' successful efforts to educate members on the new overdraft rules will make 2011 a big year for CU income, one economist predicts.

LAKE JACKSON, Texas-Overdraft revenue at TDECU is up 15%, thanks to a comprehensive marketing campaign that positions courtesy pay as a member benefit.

WILMINGTON, N.C.-Velocity Solutions has released Intelligent Diagnostic System to assist CUs in managing the new overdraft regulatory environment and expected changes in the wake of the Dodd-Frank Act.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill.-In the months leading up to the Aug. 15 deadline for new rules on overdraft protection programs, many had predicted credit unions needed to prepare for a dramatic dip in revenue. But one month later that is not proving to be the case.

The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues named Andrea Svoboda as director of political affairs, and hired Patty Salazar as state legislative and regulatory lobbyist.

LAS VEGAS-While not on the radar of many credit unions, the SAFE Act, which goes into effect on Oct. 1, could have a major impact on mortgage lending CUSOs.

ONTARIO, Calif.-Are credit union educational programs on the hook for some of the CU failures that occurred during the recession, failing to arm management with skills they needed over the last two years?

How FIs Are Increasing Debit Use

ATLANTA-A new survey of consumers has found that combined debit and credit card reward programs is increasingly valued.

CUNA STRADDLES THE LINE WITH CAMPAIGN DONATIONS

GTE FCU TO CLOSE 5 BRANCHES

we are working on getting a mug of himFormer CUNA Chair, Eugene, DiesNORFOLK, Va.-Former CUNA Chairman Christie Eugene, 82, has died. Mr. Eugene was active in CUs for 61 years, including serving as CUNA chair from 1991-93 and 13 years on the CUNA board. Eugene began leading Norfolk Fire Department FCU in 1948, before retiring in 2002, and then remaining as treasurer. Eugene also held numerous volunteer positions with the Virginia league, from which he received the James P. Kirsch Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2009, he was inducted into the national CU House of Leaders.CUNA, NAFCU Make NominationsWASHINGTON-CUNA has nominated Mike Long, chief credit officer with UW CU, Madison, Wis., to serve on the Federal Reserve's Consumer Advisory Council, and re-nominated Alan Cameron, CEO of the Idaho league, to continue serving on the council. NAFCU nominated Daniel Berry of Duke University FCU and Issa Elias Stephan of First Financial FCU for positions on the CAC.cscu logoCSCU Hosting Three Fraud WebcastsCLEARWATER, Fla.-Card Services for Credit Unions is launching a three-part "Fraud Prevention Webcast Series" that is open to all CUs and which it says is designed to offer a tune-up" to CU fraud-fighting efforts. Sessions are scheduled for: Sept. 21, "Fighting Fraud Today-Fraud Trends 2010" (1 hour); Oct. 13, "The Fraud Squad" (90 minutes) and Nov. 17, "Optimize Your Fraud Prevention Engine- Fraud Tune-Up Tips" (90 minutes).For info: www.cscu.net.Poll Links CUs, Candidate SupportWASHINGTON-CUNA has released what it said is an "overwhelmingly positive response" by voters in a poll that indicates they would support a candidate who fights against banks and makes it possible for credit unions to provide loans to small businesses in their respective communities. The CUNA-sponsored poll, conducted by Frederick Polls of Arlington, Va. and Voter/Consumer Research of Washington, found that no fewer than three-in-five voters in separate polls of voters in eight congressional districts around the country said they would have a "positive reaction" to a candidate opposing bank interests and supporting expanded CU MBL authority. SECU Gives Members 'Another Chance'RALEIGH, N.C.-State Employees' CU is offering members "Another Chance" when it comes to NSF fees and returned check charges. Another Chance sends checking account-holders a text or other message whenever a potential NSF might occur. If members make a deposit by the end of the business day, no NSF fee is charged. SECU offers "NSF Fee Free Days," meanwhile, waive any $12 NSF fees the member may incur on two days each year.For info: www.nsecu.org.Ireland's CUs Get WarningDUBLIN, Ireland-Ireland's chief regulator has warned this country's CUs they can no longer continue paying overly generous dividends on member savings. James O'Brien, the country's registrar of CUs, said falling income levels and higher loan losses mean many CUs must rethink their pricing, and that the regulator will be taking a more aggressive posture in monitoring CUs.assenmacher and newman mugsAssenmacher To Retire From MCCCUMONROE, Mich.-Monroe County Community CU President/CEO Paul Assenmacher said he will retire on April 1, 2011 after nearly 40 years with MCCCU. During his tenure, the CU grew from eight employees, approximately 2,800 members and $4 million in assets, to 68 employees, more than 30,000 members and $143 million in assets. Current EVP/COO Mike Newman has been named to succeed Assenmacher.Discovery Conference To Be Held OnlineMADISON, Wis.-CUNA Mutual Group's said it will, for the first time, host its 2010 Discovery Conference online on Nov. 3. Registration is free for the day-long event, which will include opportunities for networking via chat rooms, an exhibit hall, and prizes. Registration will open Sept. 27 at www.cunamutual.com/discoveryonline.Michigan CUs Post Positive NumbersLANSING, Mich.-Michigan credit unions showed continued growth in the second quarter, reporting strong net worth, lending, and membership gains, according to CUNA and NCUA data. During Q2, 15,000 additional members have joined CUs, earnings averaged 0.3%, the average net worth ratio is 10.7%, lending grew 1.2% (led by used auto loans), and commercial loans were up 17.7%.White Paper Examines Grant ProcessMADISON, Wis.-Why don't more credit unions apply for grants? A new white paper seeks to make the grant application process less intimidating. Released by the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, "Writing Grants Right: Extend Your Outreach-and Budget" demystifies the "grant-writing process and offers practical recommendations on where to look for funding, how to cultivate relationships with grant-makers, and how to craft a winning application."For info: www.cunacouncils.org and select the "Marketing & BizDev" tab.NAFCU Webcast For DirectorsWASHINGTON-NAFCU will host a webcast on Sept. 29 titled, "Fiduciary Duties: The Changing Landscape for Credit Union Directors" from 2-3:30 p.m. EDT.For info: 800-344-5580, www.nafcu.org/FiduciaryDuties.

Whatever you are measuring communicates focus and the desired attention of your team. Whatever you are not measuring similarly communicates a lack of importance.

In our current economic climate, it comes as no surprise that the financial services industry is under increased scrutiny. Therefore, it is no surprise that NCUA has taken a more aggressive stance regarding enforcement and administrative actions.

In the aftermath, the CEO noted, the credit union has found the fake bomb threat has put not just its emergency response plan into question, but has raised other issues it had not previously given thought to.

WARRENVILLE, Ill. – Members United Corporate FCU, which built itself into the second-largest corporate credit union through several mergers, continued to shrink its expenses with an additional 27 lay-offs, as its capital hovers just above insolvency.

LA SALLE, Ill. – A former employee of Nickleoid Employees CU last week was charged with adding numbers to her home equity loan to obtain an additional credit of $163,585.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The former Chief Financial Officer at Alps FCU last week pleaded guilty to stealing $187,348 from the credit union based in Sitka.