PITTSBURGH, Penn. – Clearview FCU, a one-time airline employees credit union, said yesterday it has agreed to merge with A-K-Valley FCU, a $62 million one-time Alcoa employees credit union based in nearby Lower Burrell, creating a credit union with almost $700 million in assets.

DETROIT – A defense attorney argued yesterday that a security guard killed while replenishing cash at a Dearborn FCU ATM in 2001 was not shot by the man being tried in a death penalty case, but by one of his accomplices.

CHAMBERSBURG, Penn. – A software administrator at Members 1st FCU was charged yesterday with breaking into the credit union's computers to embezzle almost $90,000 from member accounts.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA said last week the reserve ratio for the National CU Share Insurance Fund slipped below 1.2% (dollars reserved per $100 of insured deposits) but the agency was only saved from having to report the deterioration in reserves to Congress because it is expecting tens of millions of dollars in funds over the next three months based on projections of first half growth for credit unions.

LENEXA, Kan. – U.S. Central FCU reported this afternoon that growing losses on its portfolio of private-label mortgage-backed securities created a $39.4 million loss for its second quarter, and an $84.8 million loss for the first half of the year.

EL MONTE, Calif. – Vons Employees FCU, which serves workers at the supermarket chain, announced this morning it has agreed to acquire Certified FCU, the failed one-time $52 million credit union chartered to serve employees of the California Grocers Cooperative.

DALLAS-One topic making the agenda at strategic planning sessions among CUs in the Southwestern U.S. has been looking to alternatives to corporate CUs for various services.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-According to Dan Clark, strategic planning is visionary, while long-range planning is more short-sighted, addressing challenges faced in the coming years. Credit unions tend to do more of the latter, he said.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.-Figuring out how to make money in a "post-Durbin environment" and demonstrating they remain "vibrant" should be at the top of most credit union's strategic planning lists, according to CO-OP Financial Services.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Nothing is likely higher on CUs' strategic planning lists than financial reform. Unfortunately, upcoming planning sessions may arrive too soon to effectively address the matter, according to one person.

MADISON, Wis.-Uncertainties about the future has led some credit union planning sessions to result in no plan at all, observed Fred Johnson.

WASHINGTON-A huge, long-term planning issue facing credit unions is how to make up for a lack of strong loan demand over the next 15 years.

CINCINNATI-When it comes to planning for facilities, DEI says more credit unions are looking out well beyond 10 years.

BROOKFIELD, Wis.-Dave Selina questions whether credit unions are connecting their need to serve a younger market with their desire to also reduce expenses.

PLEASANTON, Calif.-Strategic planning is no longer a once-a-year meeting at an off-site location.

ARLINGTON, Va.-In planning for 2011, credit unions must pay more attention to the shifting financial business model as opposed to getting hung up on all the threats to revenue.

OLYMPIA, Wash.-During planning sessions, it's no longer taboo to discuss the possibility of merging into another credit union, according to one veteran of the process.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-Planning to take advantage of banks' poor consumer image will be even more critical in 2011, according to PSCU Financial Services.

ATLANTA-Cross selling to build deeper member relationships was an important goal during 2009 planning sessions. Now for 2010 strategy meetings, it is imperative.

SAN DIEGO-Strategies that include outsourcing data processing are no longer limited to small credit union planning sessions.