GREENSBORO, N.C. – Premier FCU said Lori Thompson, executive vice president for the $110 million credit union, was named president and CEO.

DEARBORN, Mich. – DFCU Financial has promised to donate $10,000 to the Detroit Public Schools Reading Corps., a volunteer tutoring program.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – The former head of USAlliance FCU’s brokerage CUSO this week was sentenced to serve three to nine years behind bars for embezzling more than $2.2 million in stocks from the operation, known as Affina Brokerage Services.

WASHINGTON – Average rates on 30-year fixed mortgages fell slightly this week, dipping below 5% again, according to Freddie Mac.

HOUSTON – ATM provider Cardtronics yesterday reported a $1.7 million profit for its fiscal fourth quarter, helping it post a $5.8 million profit for 2009.

ELGIN, Ill. – Lending Solutions said it has developed a new credit-decision model that more accurately projects a potential borrower’s financial condition almost a year down the road.

CLEVELAND – NCUA revived its moribund underserved expansion program over the final two months of 2009, even allowing one credit union to serve all of the city of Cleveland as an underserved area – the latest big city to gain that designation.

MADISON, Wis. – A single mother of one, who paid off more than $14,000 in debt from loans and credit cards and increased her savings by more than $3,000, this week won $10,000 from Summit CU as part of the credit union’s inaugural "Project Money" savings contest.

LIVE OAK, Texas – Randolph-Brooks FCU will distribute $4.2 million to members who used their debit cards to make purchases last year, the $3.7 billion credit union announced.

AURORA, Ill. – Two credit unions are gearing up to participate in the latest “Bank On” program: Earthmover CU and Fox Valley CU.

DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has formally unveiled a plan to partner with the Michigan Credit Union League to provide $43 million for loans to potential entrepreneurs – in addition to plans to also allocate another $200,000 to teach, start or expand small businesses in the state.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A former local jailer has been arrested here and charged with being the “mumbling” bandit who failed in two robbery attempts at credit unions last week.

BALTIMORE, Md. – A number of credit unions in this state once again are participating in the annual “Roll in The Dough” campaign, the fourth year the program aimed at developing good savings habits has been offered.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – This state’s legislature has voted to move at least $2 billion from large financial institutions into credit unions and community banks.

LIVONIA, Mich. – In a move to bolster even stronger CU support for Invest in America, CUCorp is rolling out additional incentives for the car-buying discount program.

MADISON, Wis. – Overall, credit unions did a “very good job” of managing through the financial crisis during 2009, but they will have to remain on the defensive for most of 2010.

AUSTIN, Texas – American Share Insurance’s announcement of a 0.15% premium assessment has convinced Velocity CU’s board that it is best for the credit union to remain with NCUA coverage.

NEW YORK – Freddie Mac on Wednesday said it planned to buy substantially all loans that are delinquent 120 days or more from its fixed and adjustable-rate mortgage-backed participation certificate securities.

WASHINGTON – With the economy showing signs of recovery, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday gave more clues as to how the central bank will return to normal and made clear that financial institutions are central to his plans.

RICHLAND, Wash. – Gesa Credit Union said its new corporate headquarters here celebrates its growth and dedication to environmentally-friendly practices.