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NEW YORK-CBS MoneyWatch.com recently published a story on how credit unions perform better than banks for basic functions and provides better rates for consumers. The story showed how easy it is to join a CU, pointed out that it is easier to obtain a loan at a CU compared to a bank and noted that cooperatives have the best rates on credit cards. It also demonstrated CUs' emphasis on safety and security, noting that a bank has been five times more likely than a CU to fail during this economic downturn. To read the story go to: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/article/bye-bye-banks-time-to-join-a-credit-union/382953/

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti-The World Council of Credit Unions' program to help extend financial services to the rural poor of Haiti took a big hit last month as its headquarters was completely destroyed in the massive earthquake here.

Ditka, Kurtis Headline NAFCU Conference

ORLANDO, Fla.-Despite a housing market that has been depressed for three years and unemployment surging close to 12% across the Sunshine State, FAIRWINDS CU here had a surprisingly strong 2009.

What has been most amazing about all of the snow in Washington, D.C. in recent weeks hasn't been the record depths of the white stuff, but the fact that any snow could accumulate at all given all the local hot air.

As a troubled credit union in one of the "sand" states, I can safely say that the past two-and-a-half years have been rich with learning.

Streamlining unclear rules - and thus easing the cost of regulatory compliance - can help promote CUs' growth and their ideals of encouraging savings, building strong communities, and investing in a resilient American economy.

Public apathy toward financials? Not for credit unions.

FIFE, Wash. – An employee of Harborstone CU was arrested last week after authorities learned he was paying tens of thousands of dollars of personal expenses with money stolen from the credit union with fictitious identities.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Buffalo Fire Department FCU filed suit in federal court here, challenging a decision by CUNA Mutual Group’s CUMIS Insurance Society unit rejecting coverage of a $330,000 theft by its former president, Eve Hutchinson.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Employees CU has developed a website to help state employees furloughed recently due to state budget-cutting.

MOON TOWNSHIP, Penn. – Clearview FCU has signed to sponsor the University of Pittsburgh’s men’s basketball team – the “Pitt Panthers” – throughout the remainder of the 2009–2010 season.

ASTON, Penn. – Sun East FCU has agreed to become the first Pennsylvania credit union to offer its members mobile banking through CO-OP Mobile.

RALEIGH, N.C. – State Employees’ CU said its SECU Foundation is providing a 0% $500,000 loan to fund construction of a new With Friends Residential Maternity Home to benefit pregnant teens or parenting girls with babies who are homeless or displaced in Gastonia, N.C.

LONGVIEW, Texas – Diane Hollis will retire as president and CEO of Telco Plus CU this Friday after 45 years with the $53 million credit union, the last 32 as chief executive.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Genisys CU, a $1.3 billion credit union giant forged by the 2008 merger of T&C FCU and USA CU, said its President and CEO Dianna Addington will retire April 15.

WASHINGTON – Regulators on Friday shuttered four banks in California, Illinois, Florida and Texas, making a total of 21 bank failures so far in 2010, following 140 failures last year.

LAS VEGAS – Last week’s disclosure by Silver State Schools CU of a big loss for 2009 serves as continuing evidence that Nevada still is in the throes of the recession and will take some time to pull out.

WASHINGTON – CUNA opened the spigots on its political action committee last month, contributing $105,000 to conduits of both the Democrat and Republican parties.