BROOKFIELD, Wis.-Fiserv, Inc., a global provider of financial services technology solutions, announced the availability of its newest white paper, "Investment Services Perspective-Market Trends for 2010 and Beyond."

Deposit Via iPhone Goes Live

EAST HARTFORD, Conn.-Overtime pay has seen its day at American Eagle FCU here, and branch scheduling technology is helping employees adhere to a strict 40-hour work-week.

LAS VEGAS-Card fraud has slowed to a crawl at Clark County Credit Union here, and CIO Roy Holmstrom is wondering whether he should thank his card-fraud prevention system for the good news.

TEMPE, Ariz.-Tellers are the best-and only-line of defense against check fraud at one small credit union here, whereas another small CU relies heavily on a counterfeit alert database.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA's proposal on community chartering and field of membership is too restrictive and limits credit unions' ability to grow, contend a number of CU executives and NAFCU, who oppose components of the proposed rules.

LAS VEGAS-Check 21 technology and a direct connection with the Federal Reserve has changed the check fraud landscape at Clark County CU, according to Roy Holmstrom, CIO and CFO.

LATHRUP VILLAGE, Mich.-Members are spending more time online at Michigan First CU ever since the credit union began offering new Internet banking with built-in personal financial management (PFM) tools.

Dow La. FCU Using AppOne Platform

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Despite one consultant's "stress test" that shows CUs are considerably undercapitalized, NCUA believes CU capital is strong enough to withstand ongoing economic challenges, following stress tests the agency has performed.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.-Young adults just starting out may be a stronger-than-ever target for retail banks-just one of several findings from Acxiom Corporation's inaugural Retail Banking Consumer Dynamics study, designed to help marketers understand shifting consumer behaviors emerging from the recession.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill.-Credit unions did not manage their balance sheets as well as banks in 2009, and it may cost them in the coming year, according to a stress test just released by Moebs $ervices.

The 2010 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run raised more than $923,000 for Children's Miracle Network In addition to helping raise the money, some 50 credit unions sent 500 volunteers to help out on race weekend, with volunteers doing everything from running the gear check tent to hosting a craft hour where volunteers helped kids decorate piggy banks. About 15,000 runners participated in the race, which included 7,244 credit union members and 40 Members of Congress. A pair of Kenyans won the race this year, with Stephen Tum edging out Lelisa Desessa of Ethiopia in the men's division and Lineth Chepkurui taking first in the women's division. A number of VIPs were also on hand for the event, including running greats Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit-Samuelson.

The PCU Community Foundation, Woodbury, Minn., participated in the following charitable activities: SHE, a young women's empowerment group at Central High School; First Lady's Military Family Care Initiative, Backpacks for a Cause, West Heights Alternative Learning Center and Credit unions For Kids.

A stress test in which financial institutions must meet a minimum 8% capital-to-asset standard, and provides valuations of loans and assets based on call report data and the latest market conditions, provides the most "realistic" insights into bank and credit union stability, according to Mike Moebs, economist and CEO of Moebs $ervices. This is discussed in the story, above. However, his company has also run three other stress test scenarios using different capital standards and valuations of loans and assets.

This evaluation uses the Treasury's 2009 stress test capital-to-asset benchmark of 4%, and all loans and investments are not impinged and represent original face value.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-With government rebate programs driving consumers to seek out "greener" cars and appliances and put some "green" back into their wallets, credit unions have been stepping up to offer a variety of green lending discounts and initiatives.

The second formula uses the Treasury's 4% capital-to-asset benchmark and the agency's assumptions on investments and loans it made in last year's stress test: MBS was valued at 100%, first and second mortgages and credit cards 92%, other consumer loans 90% (this is mostly vehicle loans), commercial real estate 100%, and commercial loans 95%.

This analysis relies on end-of-year 2009 Call Report data, along with supplemental information-primarily analysis of the current MBS investment market and year-end CU and bank delinquency reports. Investment and loan values were set at 75% for MBS, 96% for first mortgages, 100% on second mortgages, 99% for credit cards, 99% for other consumer loans, 97% for commercial real estate 97%, and 99% on commercial loans. Treasury 's 4% capital-to-asset benchmark is used.

WASHINGTON-Community activists last week renewed their call to expand the Community Reinvestment Act to include credit unions, just as a new partisan fight was breaking out over the CRA, a long-time favorite of Democrats but not Republicans.