HOUSTON – A new environmentally friendly branch opened by JSC FCU features solar power, light shelves that increase ambient light and water use reduction using low-flow faucets and dual flush toilets.

SAN FRANCISCO – Two California credit unions, Meriwest CU and Spectrum FCU, were among 19 lenders receiving economic development funding yesterday under the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco’s Economic Assistance for Development, or AHEAD, program.

WASHINGTON – Capital-area credit unions kick off the fall phase of their cooperative advertising campaign Sept. 20 with a multi-faceted online effort aimed at young adults.

WASHINGTON – A congressional watchdog group last week cleared five House members in its probe of contributions surrounding votes on the Wall Street reform bill, but recommended the House Ethics Committee investigate potential charges against three lawmakers who were avidly raising money prior to key votes on the bill.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The main credit union lobby groups are calling on NCUA to withdraw a proposal that would severally limit executive severance payments, know as Golden Parachutes, for managers at troubled credit unions, saying the NCUA proposal is too subjective.

WASHINGTON – Credit union lending has all but dried up, even with interest rates plunging to new lows, leaving new challenges for credit unions to attract borrowers.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A man who robbed Minnesota Building Trades FCU of more than $21,000 last Oct. 8 was sentenced to almost six years in prison on Friday.

CLARK, N.J. – Aspire FCU expanded its relationship with Kasasa rewards-based accounts to offer Kasasa Tunes, a free checking account that gives consumers free downloads from iTunes every month.

ENUMCLAW, Wash. – White Rover CU said it has chosen Open Solutions Inc.’s DNA-sme for its core processing system.

RACINE, Wis. – Educators CU said it has surrendered in its three-year fight with the state’s auto dealers and will lease its used car operation to an employee, who will operate it as AutoWerks.

PRINCETON, N.J. – Cards processor Heartland Payment Systems last week agreed to pay Discover Financial Services $5 million to settle claims related to the company’s massive security breach in 2008.

JACKSON, Mich. – A 35-year-old single mother of five children, ages 3 to 14, will have a new home, thanks to CP FCU’s “Wish Upon A Home” giveaway.

BROOMALL, Penn. – Franklin Mint FCU, which has branches in nine area hospitals, will extend its reach into the region’s hospitals with a deal to acquire Main Line Health Employees FCU, a $52 million credit union which serves employees at three local hospitals.

LAS VEGAS – Utah credit union giant America First CU said Friday it has converted all five branches of Community One FCU, about one year after assuming operations of the one-time $180 million credit union failure.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – CO-OP Financial Services will add credit card processing to its debit card transaction processing business line.

CHICAGO – Alliant CU, a one-time credit union for United Airlines, flew into new markets in Arizona, Texas and Southern California with an agreement to acquire ailing Continental FCU, the credit union for Continental Airlines and US Airways.

SALT LAKE CITY – In the latest dispute over loan participations, Utah First FCU is asking a court to stop a packaged loan sale by the FDIC that includes loan participations the credit union held in a failed bank so Utah First can buy the outstanding balances on the loans.

At a time when most financial institutions are tightening credit standards, Sally Boyer is taking more chances on members who stop by her Michigan State University FCU branch for a loan.

SCHINNEN, The Netherlands — Running an overseas branch of Andrews FCU has advantages over heading an AFCU office stateside — you don't have much competition.

The recession has shown Debbie Lawson, branch manager for the east Tampa location of the $5.3-billion Suncoast Schools FCU, the resiliency of members-as well as their shortcomings.