TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Bay FCU has introduced home loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration for low- and moderate-income homebuyers.

LAS VEGAS – Delegates of the California Credit Union League on Wednesday approved an assessment on member CUs for continuing a public advocacy program – albeit a stripped-down version.

LAS VEGAS – The president and CEO of WesCorp said credit unions will have the opportunity for a “fresh start” with their corporate network when NCUA releases its proposed rules for corporates today – and he asked CUs to stick with the conserved corporate.

WASHINGTON – CUNA has hired executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates of New York to help it find a successor to Dan Mica, who has announced he will step down as head of the credit union group in January 2011.

PHILADELPHIA – The president of the local aerospace union here was convicted this week of a $2.5 million loan scheme that offered unqualified people membership at Boeing Helicopters CU, where he doubled as an executive, in exchange for kickbacks.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A member in danger of having his car repossessed is accused of threatening to blow up Sacramento CU branch.

MIRAMAR, Fla. – Members of Tropical Financial CU can now add weddings to free checking, savings and other services available at their credit union.

WESTMINISTER, Calif. – Two men were charged yesterday with skimming more than $150,000 from credit card holders with the use of phony credit card readers, or skimmers.

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Employees FCU said yesterday it has joined the Credit Union 24 ATM and POS network.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Greylock FCU has contributed $10,000 to a $135,000 building campaign of Hillcrest Dental Care.

HOUSTON – Smart Financial CU said it rolled out an instant issue debit card program.

YORKTOWN, Va. – 1st Advantage FCU has signed with Geezeo to offer the company’s White Label Community Internet platform to its members.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Technology CU announced yesterday the introduction of a five-year ARM for as much as $1 million for

WASHINGTON – The House Financial Services Committee is expected to vote today on a proposal to exempt all financial institutions under $75 billion in size–meaning all credit unions–from contributing to a systemic risk fund that would liquidate failed institutions once considered “too big too fail.”

WASHINGTON – The chairman of the Senate Banking Committee said yesterday the Senate may pass legislation regulating overdraft protection fees that goes beyond the opt-in requirements the Federal Reserve announced last week.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Financial problems faced by one bank in this state played right into the hand of Royal CU, which agreed to acquire 11 branches from troubled AnchorBank as part of its growth strategy.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – In the biggest deal of its kind, Royal CU announced this morning it has agreed to acquire 11 branches in northwestern Wisconsin from troubled AnchorBank.

ST. GEORGE, Utah – Mountain America CU donated $11,875 to the Washington School District it raised during its eighth annual "Scores for Schools" program.

GROTON, Conn. – Charter Oak FCU has committed to providing $30,000 in funding for the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut.

MIAMI – Space Coast CU said it has hired Cornerstone Advisors to provide systems conversion and integration management for its merger with Eastern Financial Florida CU, the biggest credit union merger ever.