LANSING, Mich.-The state's leadership announced a partnership to channel as much as $43-million of credit union loans to Michigan's small businesses. More than 30 credit unions will participate in the effort.

February

KINGSTON, N.Y.-A novel technology has brought 24/7 full-service banking to Mid-Hudson Valley FCU, helped attract hundreds of new members in 2009-at no net cost.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-Does reading the news in the credit union community often make you want to sound off? Here's your chance to make a point and even blow off a little steam.

MIAMI-Credit Union Journal readers likely didn't win big on their preseason Super Bowl bets.

OGDEN, Utah-America First CU, the state's largest credit unions, was approved to acquire troubled Mountain High FCU, its second deal for a failed credit union in recent months, NCUA reported Friday.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Charlotte Metro CU has agreed to acquire one of the three local branches being closed by Coastal FCU in the University area. Coastal, which lost $40.1 million in 2009, last month announced it is pulling out of the Charlotte market to focus on its core Raleigh market. Charlotte Metro will start operating the branch on March 8.

PASADENA, Calif.-Wescom Central CU, showing the worst effects of the Southern California real estate bust, reported a $93.6 million loss for 2009.

PORTLAND, Ore.-Authorities hope a 10-year prison sentence will finally deter a woman who continued to rob area credit unions and banks as part of an identity theft ring while she was continuing to ply her trade.

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla.-Power Financial CU is offering local businesses the chance to have a team of professionals examine their company's financial platform, evaluate their marketing communications and win a $1,000 gift card to Staples, as part of its second annual Small Business Makeover Challenge.

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Penn.-U$X FCU paid its members a loyalty reward for the eighth straight year.

SEATTLE-BECU last week held a grand opening for its newest branch, which is in the underserved neighborhood of Lower Queen Anne.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-Card issuers and processors continue to race to comply with the numerous provisions of the soon-to-be-effective CARD Act, but already the specter of more legislation and/or new regulations is raising even more concerns.

CPCU CU, Somerville, Mass., appointed Joseph LaVita, Jr. to VP of lending.

CLEARWATER, Fla.-While some have speculated margin pressures on card portfolios will reduce or even eliminate rewards programs, several processors indicate they believe rewards will remain a driver of card usage.

DALLAS-To Mitch Raymond, SVP of products for TNB Card Services, there is little question rewards programs will continue for the foreseeable future because, "rewards cards are so prevalent in the marketplace they are almost expected by consumers." If one issuer does not offer a rewards card, he noted, people are going to get one from another.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Sara Petty, VP of strategic initiatives for The Members Group, said raising point plateaus is just one way to ensure rewards programs continue to create value for issuers. Because rewards are such good differentiators, she said most issuers are ramping up their rewards programs.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Coopera Consulting and TMG (The Members Group), both affiliates of the Iowa CU League, have partnered to provide Affinity CU prepaid reloadable cards to serve the Hispanic market in a pilot program.

SECAUCUS, N.J.-NYCE said it has signed an agreement with Select-a-Branch, giving participants in NYCE's SUM selective ATM surcharging program access to select terminals in SAB's growing network of surcharge-free ATMs.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.-INSIDE Contactless and Dynamic Card Solutions announced a partnership to facilitate the deployment of a new wave of contactless cards, mobile payment stickers and mobile payment peripheral devices.