WASHINGTON – At least one lawmaker is expected to propose an amendment to financial services reform legislation today that would exempt all credit unions from the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

WHITTIER, Calif. – Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) and WestWorks Credit Union said their proposed merger received regulatory approval as well as approval by a majority vote of the WestWorks Membership.

BROOKLINE, Mass. – Medical Area FCU said it donated $11,000 to two organizations serving the homeless: Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless; and Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.

GROTON, Conn. – Charter Oak FCU employees donated more than $27,000 to local non-profits.

WASHINGTON – Steve Delfin, executive director of the National CU Foundation since 2004, is leaving at year-end to take over as president/CEO of America’s Charities.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – A lucky member of 167th TFR FCU drove away from Saturday’s 50th anniversary celebration in a new Chevy Malibu.

HARRISBURG, Penn. – Pennsylvania State Employees CU said its short-term payday loan program, offered to help state employees during the state’s summer-long budget impasse, topped $22 million.

SUITLAND, Md. – Andrews FCU, which serves Andrews Air Force Base, joined with the Armed Forces Financial Network to provide $6,000 of holiday gift cards to the troops.

MADISON, Wis. – Members Mutual Funds, a joint venture between CUNA Mutual’s MEMBERS Capital Advisors and Madison Investment Advisors, announced the launch of a new fund yesterday, an equity income fund that will own common stocks and sell call options on the majority of these stocks thereby "covering" the stock.

BOULDER, Colo. – Elevations CU said yesterday it will eliminate 13 positions, or 6% of its workforce, in a move that is expected to save it about $1.2 million per year.

WASHINGTON – NCUA Chairman Deborah Matz pitched potential ways of stretching credit union capital to key lawmakers yesterday, either by allowing credit unions to raise alternative capital or to risk-weigh some of their assets, such as Treasuries, at zero.

WASHINGTON – Credit unions have been pretty-much shielded from the affects of this week’s House debate on combining as many as seven financial reform bills into one – but are wary of the return of the cramdown issue, which would open the mortgage foreclosure process to the bankruptcy courts.

As Credit Unions look forward to a new year, they also bring to a close their 100th anniversary in the U.S. But what will credit unions look like in 2109? Will there even be Credit Unions? In this special series, the journal features voices from all corners of CUs offering predictions for what's ahead.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Alabama Telco CU said it is expanding its relationship with Wolters Kluwer Financial Services by installing the company's AppOne lending system. AppOne will automate the $450- million credit union's indirect lending, credit approval and compliance processes.

WARRENVILLE, Ill.-Members United Corporate FCU reported that its growing losses and diminishing capital have prompted the Federal Reserve to cut off its access to the discount window for emergency loans.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich.-OMNI Community CU is taking the traditional CU annual dividend as an opportunity to highlight the credit union difference during the ongoing economic slump, touting what it used to call its Special Dividend as the credit union's version of an economic stimulus package. Now called the "Cashback Rebate," Omni is paying out $750,000 to its members, the second year in a row the credit union has distributed the bonus dividend. Since 2008, the CU says it has given back more than $1.4-million to its 33,000 members.

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.-An emphasis on growth, increasing wallet share and service that lets employees and members have fun has helped Spokane Teachers CU here earn recognition as one of the highest performing CUs in the country.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-As credit unions gear up for the holidays, annual dividends and special deals abound. Brings readers some of the latest seasonal specials.

Obama Campaign Manager On Agenda

MADISON, Wis.-The Filene Research Institute is adding staff and capabilities to help credit unions take advantage of the economic turnaround ahead.