WASHINGTON-With public awareness of credit unions reaching a "tipping point," some are urging CUs to make greater use of their board members to represent them in their markets.

NAFCU Launches 'Agenda Builder'

Not for profit, not for charity, but for service. Reportedly first uttered by the treasurer of a Midwest credit union around 1935, the nine words are designed to represent the core character of the credit union business model.

In light of the complexity of today's financial environment, it's time to move to the next level. Enterprise risk management (ERM) is coming fast. Are you prepared?

Believe it or not, this is the perfect time for credit unions that have sold their credit card portfolios to reenter the business.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – EPL said EquiShare CU in Kansas and Lakehurst Naval FCU in New Jersey have signed to use the company’s technology solution suite, which includes the i-Power core processing system, online banking, e-statements, collections and EPL's newly introduced document storage solution.

ST. LOUIS – Anheuser-Busch Employees’ CU last week said it will offer its members asset management and trust services through MEMBERS Trust Co.

LINO LAKES, Minn. – SMW FCU is the first financial institution in Minnesota to launch rewards-based Kasasa savings and checking accounts.

HONOLULU – HawaiiUSA FCU last week said it will open a new branch, its 11th, in Pearl City, and move its call center with its 21 employees to Pearl City from downtown Honolulu.

DURHAM, N.C. – Latino Community CU announced it is adding two new branches and will start making small member business loans.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Two men who were arrested last week for robbing as many as 16 credit unions and banks apparently were betrayed by their cell phone conversations, during which they discussed the heists.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Technicians at Redstone FCU worked over the weekend to correct a systems glitch that led first to thousands of payroll checks being posted twice Friday, then to all checks being pulled out as the system was reset.

WASHINGTON – Regulators took over four more banks in New York, Florida and Louisiana last week, making a total of 32 bank failures so far this year.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A growing number of credit unions are questioning NCUA’s supervision of failed corporate credit unions and whether the credit union regulator is up to overseeing the corporates going forward under a new system.

REXBURG, Idaho – Motorists and passers-by will get a glimpse of the benefits of membership in Beehive FCU in an unusual way – on the side of a 10-foot long 1972 Volkswagen Beetle limousine.

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HOUSTON – Two men robbed a Chartway FCU branch yesterday and locked two employees in the vault before they got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

CINCINNATI – A former employee of Good Samaritan Employees CU on Thursday pleaded guilty to stealing $245,000 from the credit union over a seven-year period.

HONOLULU – A local Hawaiian priest on Monday performed the blessing at the opening ceremonies of Aloha Pacific FCU’s newest branch, the credit union’s ninth.

JACKSON, Miss. – Magnolia FCU now is offering rewards-based Kasasa checking and savings accounts.