KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Knoxville TVA Employees CU has acquired a former elementary school and plans to renovate into a new headquarters for the $800 million credit union.

FLINT, Mich. – Members and employees of Dort FCU raised $17,168 during the holidays, which the credit union donated to local charities as part of its "Make a Snowman Smile" campaign.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington State Employees CU has granted 27 scholarships totaling more then $40,000 to members pursuing a degree at a two- or four-year college.

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Texas Dow Employees CU has contracted with PSCU Financial Services for its Electronic Banking suite, which includes online and mobile banking platforms.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – Digital FCU has implemented fiVISION’s digitized wire transfer validation module designed to cut processing time in half.

INDIANAPOLIS – Double 11 CU has rolled out a new rewards program that offers members charitable donations, free iTunes downloads and other incentives for their free checking and savings accounts.

BEAVERTON, Ore. – First Tech CU is warning its members of a new malicious banking application it discovered that apparently is designed to steal online banking account details on Google's new Android cellphones.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NAFCU yesterday called on NCUA to open its assisted merger process so that more credit unions can participate in the bidding for ailing credit unions.

DURHAM, N.C. – The Community for Self-Help, which added two failed credit unions to its federal charter in the past two weeks, announced yesterday its flagship state charter, Self-Help CU, is acquiring Choice FCU, a troubled $48 million credit union in nearby Greensboro.

NEWARK, N.J. – Two more participants in a scam that drained millions from credit unions and banks through phony home equity loans were jailed yesterday.

The arrival of 2010 means it's six months and counting until credit unions must comply with a July 1 deadline for compliance with Regulation E rules and overdraft protection.

AUSTIN, Texas-Lending profitability is credit unions' biggest challenge in today's marketplace, but opportunities do abound, according to Teres Solutions CEO Tim Kelly.

ELGIN, Ill.-Credit unions have a big opportunity now to position themselves as the most convenient choice for consumers who need a loan, according to Lee Kolquist, CEO at Lending Solutions, Inc.

GLENDALE, Colo.-Mortgage lending will continue to be a bigger part of credit unions' portfolio in 2010 and going forward, according to Rick Seehausen, CEO of LenderLive.

LAKE MARY, Fla.-The pace of regulatory change is likely to pinch lending at CUs that are not as prepared as they should be in 2010.

Advantage Systems Reports Growth

FAIRBORN, Ohio-Credit unions simply don't have the time and money - or technology and expertise - to service their own mortgage loans, according to a number of CUs and vendors.

CORVALLIS, Ore.-CUs should service their own mortgages: the tools are affordable, and they can ultimately deliver better cross-sales and member service, say proponents of in-house servicing.

PHOENIX, Ariz.-Alan Riegler, partner at CCG Catalyst here, weighed the "pros and cons" of in-house and outsourced mortgage servicing.

In about six weeks the National Credit Union Foundation will host the glitziest night of the credit union year, the Wegner Awards Dinner. The Washington, DC-event, held in conjunction with CUNA's GAC, is a black tie affair that is part Senior Prom, part Class Graduation, recognizing people and the movement for their extraordinary contributions.