NEW ORLEANS-Alaska USA FCU has looked at 23 potential credit union mergers over the past 16 months. But according to CFO Norm West, it has rejected most of those potential suitors as not fitting the criteria it looks for in mergers.

June

NORTH HAVEN, Conn.-Unbank. In one word, Connex Credit Union is seeking to explain what a credit union is and how it is different from its for-profit counterparts.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.-Kim Hester, EVP network services for CO-Op Financial Services, observed that not all CUs view Reg E education as defensive. Some see it as a means to increase debit revenue.

WILMINGTON, N.C.-Credit unions that have approached the upcoming Reg E deadlines as a marketing opportunity and not just an operations issue stand a much greater chance of protecting their debit card revenue, analysts told Credit Union Journal.

PLEASANTON, Calif.-According to Mitch Lucas, the impending overdraft opt-in deadline could be more of an opportunity for credit unions than a setback.

NEW ORLEANS-If there is a silver lining in pending changes to Reg E, the CARD Act, and overall margin compression, is it critical need for credit unions to review their entire line-up of products and how they are priced.

NEW ORLEANS-Credit unions have no choice but to re-examine their fee structures and opt-in policies in the wake of pending changes to Reg E.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-While it's expected that a requirement of the CARD Act that takes effect Aug. 22 will eat into banks' credit card fee income, one processor is not so sure CUs won't feel the bite, as well.

White House Kick-Starts CU Bid To Raise Cap On MBLs

BROOKFIELD, Wis.-As credit unions race to meet the Reg E deadlines, two card experts are wondering if credit unions are paying attention to what may occur after Aug. 15.

MADISON, Wis.-Credit unions can expect about a nine-basis-point ROA hit from the new overdraft rules that take effect in just about 30 days, according to a new Filene Research Institute study.

WASHINGTON-New home sales unexpectedly jumped in April, rising by an annualized 14.8% from 439,000 units in March to 504,000 units in April. Sales were up by 47.8% on a year over year basis.

DALLAS-Mortgage-related jobs eked out a gain last quarter according to a report from MortgageDaily.com.

NORWALK, Conn.-The Financial Accounting Standards Board last week proposed rules that would extend market value accounting to a new set of holdings, including loans.

SALT LAKE CITY-CUNA's Chairman Kris Mecham, president/CEO of Deseret First CU for the past 20 years, will depart on July 1 for a two-year Mormon mission that will take him to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, along with his wife, Stephanie.

BEAVERTON, Ore.-The ongoing sovereign debt crisis in Europe could lead to another surge in mortgage refinance volume this summer, but CUs should temper their optimism.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-Successful credit union mortgage lenders are reporting the secret lies, fittingly, at home with their own members.

KINGSTON, N.Y.-Mid Hudson Valley FCU's straightforward "Say yes to no-bounce" campaign resulted in more than 25% of its checking base signing up for overdraft six weeks before the July 1 Reg E deadline.

FAIRBORN, Ohio-A nationwide advertising blitz appears to be paying off for one mortgage solution provider.