TUKWILA, Wash.-It's payback time as two of the nation's largest credit unions launch mobile person-to-person (P2P) payments platforms to reclaim some of the thunder stolen by the likes of PayPal.

The following are members of Credit Union Journal's Technology Panel.

Beware Of 'Zeuzbot' Attack

VIENNA, Va.-Members are less concerned about products and services and more interested in easy and free access to the credit union.

AUSTIN, Texas-Seems that too many members are closing their checking accounts at Amplify Credit Union here. But ACU believes that a member feedback platform-which includes surveys, spontaneous comments and loyalty scores-will help keep accounts open and members on board.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NARFE Premier FCU has reversed its negative member growth trend by putting "feet on the street."

HOUSTON, Texas-SigniaDocs' eVault technology supports integration to Equifax ID verification engine to provide a higher level of security in electronic mortgage transactions the company said. Equifax Secure's eIDverifier ensures the accuracy of online mortgage applications, making them as secure as off-line ID verification processes. With this capability.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.-Passageways, has signed up a half-dozen new credit union clients to utilize the firms portals including: Hudson Valley FCU, Sunwest FCU Penn State CU, Telcom CU, Global CU and Mazuma CU.

LINDEN, N.J.-Five credit unions recently inked deals to install Integrated Media Management's TotaleReceipts solution to automate the output of their teller transaction receipts. Calif.-based Provident CU and Florida Central CU are now among the more than 200 CUs that utilize TotaleReceipts.

LAS VEGAS-Calyx Software has released version 7.0 of its Point and Point Central mortgage origination and processing solutions. Among the upgrades: central document image storage, enhancements to banking screens, title and escrow interfaces and a new FHA statutory worksheet, as well as offering remote users access to all loan documentation.

MADISON, Wis.-Look for credit unions to herd members online in 2010 to newly enhanced virtual branches-online hubs that save money for the CU and meet an increasing number of members' service needs.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-Beyond cyber-banking, the eight CUNA Technology Council Executive Committee members participating in the Credit Union Journal "Look Ahead" roundtable said there are other technologies to watch in 2010.

SigniaDocs Integrates Notary Platform

SANTA CLARA, Calif.-Though the risk of data loss due to retaliation from former employees is less worrisome to some CUs than the risk of data accidentally compromised in an e-mail, it's still important for IT managers to protect themselves against data theft after employee lay-offs, several analysts stressed.

BURBANK, Calif.-Disgruntled, laid-off employees may be inclined to walk out with confidential data stored under their belt, but a number of CUs say they are still more concerned that current employees will accidentally e-mail non-public information (NPI), rather than maliciously steal it.

WASHINGTON-Three-term Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota announced his intention to seek the chair of the Senate Banking Committee next year, upon the retirement of current Chairman Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, if the Democrats hold control of the Senate.

DURHAM, N.C.-Self-Help Credit Union has absorbed another troubled credit union via merger, its third in as many weeks, as it continues to expand in both its home state and in California.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Early commenters on NCUA proposed corporate credit union rule are questioning the viability of the corporate network itself, which has reported billions of dollars of losses over the past two years.

AUSTIN, Texas-The $500-million Velocity CU here is the latest to make the switch to American Share Insurance, with its members approving the move.

ATLANTA-As mobile phones continue to evolve and their capabilities expand, a Firethorn survey found people are ready to buy-with their phones. A majority (59%) of consumers say they're interested in using their phone as they would a credit or debit card at the cash register to make a purchase. Consumers report being interested in using their mobile phones as a shopping assistant for price comparisons (64%), access to credit card details, balances and transactions (61%), and organizing and tracking their gift card, loyalty and reward accounts (59%).