TAMPA, Fla. – State regulators last week issued a cease and desist order against Bay Gulf CU, forcing the one-time $217 million credit union that has been hit hard by the region’s real estate bust to boost its allowance for loan losses.

DURHAM, N.C. – Self-Help CU yesterday announced it has agreed to acquire Carolina Family FCU, its second deal for a North Carolina credit union this year and sixth overall.

VISTA, Calif.-Concerns over the future of corporate CUs has led more natural person CUs to look to alternate strategies to cut out the middleman on item processing.

BRISTOL, Penn.-More consumers may take their "bucks" to the credit union thanks to an irreverent YouTube video from Bucks First FCU.

Global CU, Spokane, Wash., recently supported a variety of community events at a variety of military installations where the CU has facilities. In Italy, the Camp Darby branch sponsored food tasting during African American Heritage month and the Girl Scout Conference for Teens, sponsored the Best Warrior Competition, and Child Abuse Prevention Month. At Aviano Air Base in Italy, the branch sponsored the Annual Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt. At Camp Ederle branch in Vicenza, Italy, sponsored Vicenza Kids' Fest. In Washington State Global CU was a major sponsor of Military Saves Week at Fairchild Air Force Base, donating more than $700 and presenting six financial education seminars. Global CU was also the title sponsor of the Armed Forces Persons of the Year Awards Luncheon.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-Good and bad, the recession has handed down lessons to CEOs about managing the credit card portfolio.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-While CUs were gaining credit card market share, some needed to pay closer attention to portfolio management.

ATLANTA-Christopher Danvers acknowledged that the recession and the combined regulatory pressure won't permit CUs to run their credit card portfolios as they did "in the good times."

DEARBORN, Mich.-Mark Shobe said he learned that the unexpected collapse of the economy reinforced his thinking that you can never be too prepared.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Keep your eyes open to what's happening in the world. A simple, yet effective strategy that Evan Clark quickly learned helps avoid losses.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Jeff Russell has always believed that market share can be gained during a down economy, and the current recession hasn't changed his thinking.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Credit unions' reluctance to embrace "sales" has also caused many consumers to remain unaware CUs are a better deal than banks.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-The CU24 study also found 51% of CU leaders believe better service is the strongest competitive advantage of CUs over banks, compared to 22% who cited better loan rates. EVP/COO Jim Gowan said this points to an important question for all credit unions: "What really is our value proposition that differentiates us from banks?"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Other findings in the CU24 survey.

Nevada's Silver State To Close Five Of Its Branches

MILWAUKEE-Get ready for more debit demand-and competition. That's the outlook of credit union CEOs, major CU card issuers, and industry analysts who see the recession accelerating consumers' and financials' shift to debit.

May

When Aspire FCU rolled out Check 21 services three years ago it went directly to Direct Fed. The move has paid huge dividends, according to Branch Operations Manager Elaine Meredith.

DUBUQUE, Iowa-Dupaco Community CU put a high-tech spin on the old-fashioned garage sale.

BRISTOL, Penn.-To convince more young adults to join the credit union, Bucks First FCU is letting young adults do the talking.