AUSTIN, Texas-As CUs place a greater emphasis on used car lending, they need to do an even better job of managing risk.

ST. LOUIS-Anheuser-Busch Employees CU more than doubled its projections for an auto-loan refinance campaign by outsourcing the telemarketing.

LAS VEGAS-Two years ago, CoastHills FCU ran an auto loan promotion that grossed $20 million in loans and 650 new members. Now the challenge is to do even better with the same promotion in a much more challenging market.

With the CARD Act now requiring youth under the age of 21 to have mom or dad co-sign for a credit card, that step could limit the number of cards issued to Gen Y, and potentially affect membership and other lending products down the road, industry experts suggest. And no credit unions are more aware of that than those that serve colleges.

DALLAS-Everything is bigger in Texas, including some of the challenges for its smallest CUs. This concept is well illustrated by CUs operating as very small fish in very large ponds, yet also finding niches in which they can prosper in the Lone Star State's largest markets.

DALLAS-Texas Health Resources CU CEO Suzanne Chism believes small credit unions help paint a picture for those outside of CU circles that may help turn the tide in a legislative battle with banks.

SAN ANTONIO-Express News FCU is making headlines in tough economic times. CEO Linda Tudyk said support from its newspaper sponsor, San Antonio Express News is critical to the success of the credit union.

HOUSTON-The future is bright for Light Commerce Credit Union, according to its CEO, Harlene Johnson, noting the CU is looking to add members this year by leveraging its relationship with its sponsor.

HOUSTON-This south Texas city was able to dodge most of the effects of the recession until last fall, when a construction slowdown affected members of Union Fidelity FCU, and the CU swung into action, according to CEO Cindy Hester.

Dow Jones: 'Beginning of the End' of Recession?

AUSTIN, Texas-Credit unions that have had large and successful student loan programs through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) are expressing disappointment, but said they will survive the move by the federal government to cut credit unions and banks out of the program.

WASHINGTON-CEOs polled by Credit Union Journal have primarily expressed support but also some mild irritation with NCUA's plan to dial back its regulatory flexibility (Reg Flex) program. But not all agree.

VANCOUVER, B.C., Canada-Central 1 CU, which is similar to a U.S. corporate and which serves all of British Columbia and most of Ontario, reported a net income of (C) $99.9 million in 2009, a 275% increase from the previous year when it reported $26.6 million.

HOUSTON-PrimeWay FCU reported that its former chairman, Curtis Parkerson, has passed away. Parkerson joined PrimeWay's supervisory committee in 1984 and then served on the board, dedicating 25 years to the CU. He won the National Association of CU Supervisory Auditing Committees' 2009 Golden Service Award for his contribution to CUs.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-Saying it is tired of being "abused" by NCUA, one small credit union here is preparing what it plans to become a class-action lawsuit against the federal regulator.

AUSTIN, Texas-Community financial institutions that teamed up under the Kasasa brand are seeing dramatic improvements, according to the company that is behind it.

Call For Wegner Award Nominations

There was another turning of the page in the Official Book of Credit Union History recently with news that the Michigan Association of Credit Unions (MACU) will be absorbed via merger by the Michigan Credit Union League.

Let's talk a minute or two about IT backup being the beginning of your disaster planning. I absolutely agree with the author that it isn't enough, but for a different reason.

Everyone faces problems. Every organization faces problems. They are just part of life. What's important is how we deal with those problems, whether we learn and grow from them, and if we remain stable and secure in spite of them.