WASHINGTON-Senate negotiators were working last week on a compromise on a consumer financial protection agency, one of the priorities of the Obama administration that has run into rough sledding in the Senate.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA has extended the expiration date of NCUA's Temporary Corporate CU Share Guarantee Program, the emergency guarantee of all corporate deposits, from March 31, 2012, to June 30, 2012.

WASHINGTON-The Obama administration has asked Congress to nearly double the funds-about $250 million-allocated for Community Development Financial Institutions and to create a new segment that will focus on financial education, broader access to bank accounts and basic credit products.

NEW CASTLE, Penn.-NCUA liquidated Lawrence County School Employees FCU and assigned the remnants of the one-time $6 million credit union to $22 million First Choice FCU in a purchase and assumption agreement.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-To keep dealers in the fold and stack up against manufacturers' subvented rates, Schools Financial CU offers 0% financing.

ATLANTA-In contrast to financials making noise about low rates that include numerous qualifications to get the offer, one CU is keeping quiet about a 25-basis-point reduction to its standard auto loan prices.

PEORIA, Ill-CEFCU's Tax Smart Loan is helping the CU battle banks' auto deals below 3%.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.-Lower CD rates-and no resulting runoff-has City County CU well positioned to increase is auto loan portfolio in 2010.

PALO ALTO, Calif.-In the biggest credit union merger ever, Addison Avenue FCU and First Tech CU in Beaverton, Ore., announced last week plans to combine to create a credit union with almost $5 billion in assets.

HOUSTON-Smart Financial CU is ready to meet or beat any competing auto loan rate or it will give members $100. "The offer just started, and so far we have not paid anyone the one-hundred bucks," said Dana Rawlings, SVP and COO.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.-GrooveCar has rolled out a new "Pocket Your Payment" offer with a goal of taking some CU members' eyes off low auto loan rates being offered by other lenders.

LIVONIA, Mich.-How well credit unions market Invest in America will likely dictate the size and amount of the incentives GM and Chrysler send CUs' way in 2010.

HOUSTON-It's time for credit unions to think like McDonald's and advertise their lowest possible auto loan rate, even if that means members must take multiple products and services to get the great deal, according to at least one CU.

LAS VEGAS-During NAFCU's Strategic Growth Conference here, Credit Union Journal asked attendees what strategic growth initiatives are working for their CUs so far this year.

PLYMOUTH, Mich.-Recognizing the economy is changing the education loan landscape, NuUnion CU is now offering a loan for parents of kindergartners.

BEAVERTON, Ore.-In proposing to combine with Addison Avenue FCU, First Tech CU is trying again at a concept it tried in the early 1990s-the marriage of CU giants.

DENVER-The technology minds behind peer-to-peer lender Zopa's foray into the United States are now helping credit unions here collaborate to bring in new lending business.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.-Management and boards of ten small credit unions that serve the Missouri Department of Transportation's ten districts will have to look for new offices under a budget-cutting move by the state.

CU Amps Up Expansion Plans

BETHPAGE, N.Y.-One of the largest credit unions in this state is launching a new brand image as part of the most comprehensive marketing campaign in its history.