MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Guardian CU announced it has hired Walker360, an advertising and marketing firm here.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – St. Mary’s CU donated $10,000 to fund a fireworks display to celebrate Marlborough’s 350th anniversary.

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – Pinal County FCU awarded $1,000 scholarships to 10 college students.

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. – First Citizens’ FCU is expanding into Cape Cod with a new branch in the town of Mattapoisett and another branch is planned at an undetermined location on the Cape.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – A former teller for San Mateo CU will spend up to a year in jail for robbing the accounts of her elderly aunt and a 16-year-old who received an inheritance from her dead mother, according to a plea agreement announced yesterday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Como Northtown Community CU, an ailing one-time $41 million credit union, said its board has approved a merger with Affinity Plus FCU, the state’s second-largest credit union with $1.3 billion in assets, as credit unions in the Twin Cities continue their consolidation.

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Tom Sargent Safety Center officially opened its doors in the lobby of the Doernbecher Childrens Hospital here on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON – Mortgage rates fell in the latest week to the lowest on record and posted their ninth drop in the last 10 weeks, according to Freddie Mac.

WASHINGTON – The corporate bailout charge, pending NCUSIF assessment, credit card, overdraft and interchange fee reforms…as if credit unions didn’t have enough to worry about, rates on mortgages have been plummeting in recent months – just as mortgage lending has become more important.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA announced this afternoon the awarding of a charter to a faith-based credit union in Charlotte, N.C., only the year’s third new credit union, continuing the drought in new charters.

WARRENVILLE, Ill. – Members United Corporate FCU reported additional losses of $8 million this morning on its investments for July, erasing $3.4 million of operating net for the month and creating a $4.6 million loss for July. Year to date losses are $11.2 million.

BROOKFIELD, Wis. – Fiserv yesterday announced the launch of its Mobile Source Capture, a new remote deposit solution that enables remote check capture with camera-equipped mobile phones.

LATHRUP VILLAGE, Mich. – Michigan First CU announced the launch of its enhanced careers website, www.MichiganFirstCareers.com, for individuals seeking jobs at the $575 million credit union.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Service CU last week gave $25,000 to the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire.

ALEXANDRIA. Va. – Pentagon FCU said its PenFed Foundation raised $25,000 at the 2010 Annual Innospec Fuel Specialties Golf tournament in Lone Tree, Colo.

ROCKVILLE, Md. – REALTORS FCU announced yesterday it promoted Jane Pannier, its executive vice president and former credit union consultant, to be CEO of the start-up virtual credit union.

TAMPA, Fla. – Suncoast Schools FCU said yesterday it has signed with Geezeo to implement the company’s personal financial management and integrated marketing platform.

BEAVERTON, Ore. – First Tech CU said yesterday it is offering members a .25% annual percentage rate reduction when financing a green car, as part of a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Fairwinds CU yesterday announced a new, multi-year sponsorship with the Orlando Magic professional basketball team.

PHILADELPHIA – American Heritage FCU last week introduced technology it said combines the convenience of an ATM with a highly-personal two-way interaction.