ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Several consumer groups told NCUA that credit unions are using a variety of methods to evade federal interest rate ceilings and other restrictions as the popularity of payday loan programs continues to grow.

LOS ANGELES – A federal judge agreed yesterday to let NCUA assume the role of the plaintiff in a suit against directors and officers of WesCorp FCU, creating a strange case of the federal regulator as both plaintiff and defendant in the case.

COSTA MESA, Calif.-Strategic defaulters, who are defined as remaining delinquent for six months after the initial date of delinquency, continued as a high percentage of all mortgage delinquencies at 19% in the second quarter of 2009, according to updated findings from Experian and Oliver Wyman.

Teens To 'Get Carducated'

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-The critical issue now for many credit unions, corporates and other observers is what form will the final NCUA corporate rule take, and when will NCUA release the overhaul to Part 704 of the FCU Act.

BETHPAGE, N.Y.-As the retail marketplace changes and many banks are placing restrictions on free checking, Bethpage FCU is not only keeping its checking accounts fee free, it is adding an interest component.

LAS VEGAS-Members of the Credit Union Roundtable, comprised of the largest U.S. credit unions, last week presented just-retired CUNA CEO Dan Mica with a check for $222,650 in his name to go toward Credit Union House in Washington.

SAN FRANCISCO-Some credit unions in the Golden State that reported substantial losses during 2009 have begun moving into the black in 2010. In Nevada, however, many continue to report negative earnings, but those losses are significantly smaller.

The role of capital in credit unions has evolved during the past century.

PHOENIX-It wasn't just the economy that chopped down some of the largest corporate credit unions. They can thank their desire to become large, and their lack of collaboration and competitiveness.

IRONDALE, Ala.-The failure of, and ongoing losses by, many of the corporate credit unions can be attributed to arrogance on the part of CEOs and boards from some of the biggest corporates, which played a role in the high concentrations in securities that contained risk, asserts Thomas Bonds.

MADISON, WI: The Filene Research Institute has selected 19 credit union executives to join its i3 (Ideas, Innovation, Implementation) program.

100% Satisfaction Rating Earned

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-Over his nearly 20-year career with Advantage FCU here, Jeffrey Bocach has filled nearly every role imaginable at a mid-sized credit union. For his efforts, Bocach was tapped as NAFCU's CEO of the Year for credit unions under $150 million.

DENHAM SPRINGS, La.-Since hiring Diane McDuff as its SVP of Relationship Management, Main Street Financial FCU has seen employee retention soar and morale improve despite layoffs.

EAST LANSING, Mich.-Patrick McPharlin, who has been at the helm of the $1.8-billion Michigan State University FCU for the last 10 years, has been named NAFCU's CEO of the Year for credit unions above $150 million in assets.

SPRINGFIELD, Va.-With her history of service for Washington Gas Light FCU, as well as the community as a whole as she's spent 15 years as board member and registration chairman for College Park Boys and Girls Club, Patsy Koenig was named Volunteer of the Year by NAFCU.

Frederick Walters has watched Randolph Brooks FCU grow from a six-branch operation to 35 today, both as a member of 44 years and as a director for the last 23. His service was recently recognized by NAFCU, receiving the trade association's Volunteer of the Year award for credit unions above $150 million in assets. Walters spoke with Credit Union Journal about winning the award, his time on the RBFCU board, and growth at the CU.

INDIANAPOLIS-Susan Ward is NAFCU's Professional of the Year for credit unions with assets of more than $150 million.

INDIANAPLOIS-One vendor contends that it has launched the Facebook and LinkedIn of the CU community.