SAN DIEGO — All loan modifications are not created equal. That was the message from Kevin Durrance, EVP and chief financial officer for Georgia FCU, Atlanta, who noted that because some loan mods show up on a Call Report and others don't, credit unions need to be careful about what and how they modify for their members.

SAN DIEGO — Consumers have changed, marketers have not kept up, and now credit unions and other financial institutions must scramble to deal with a new reality.

CHICAGO — Federal legislation that gave homeowners more time to get help on mortgage payments may be making a dent in the foreclosure rate here.

CO-OP, CMG Automate Claims

SAN DIEGO — Credit Union Journal asked attendees at the CUNA Operations, Sales and Service Council's annual conference here if they have seen signs of an economic recovery.

MADISON, Wis. — Credit unions are making the right moves in a tough economy, but a "series of body blows" this year will make 2010 even more difficult, according to CUNA Mutual's top economist, Dave Colby.

VERNON HILLS, Ill. — Branch-related expenses are under scrutiny at Baxter Credit Union, but in the process it keeps its eye on something else: member service and satisfaction.

ORLANDO, Fla. — With federal legislation potentially curtailing revenue streams and adding regulatory burdens, credit unions will have to walk a fine line between boosting fee income and turning off members.

FAIRBORN, Ohio — A savings contest that helped restore the financial health of five families is helping sponsor Wright-Patt Credit Union in its markets, as well.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve adopted new rules that will require credit unions and banks to obtain permission from customers-opt-in-for overdraft protection programs debit card and ATM transactions.

Carolina Coop CU Taps CRI

SAN JOSE, Calif. — As many credit unions prepare for a possible H1N1 flu pandemic that could leave them running with skeleton crews, there is a debate about what to tell members regarding their plans.

BRATISLAVA, Slovak Republic-A group here has organized and is seeking to restart credit unions in this country. The group, led by Sobosiste Mayor Dana Ceranova, has turned to the World Council of Credit Unions and Poland's National Association of Cooperative Savings & Credit Unions for help reigniting cooperatives in what was once one-half of the then Czechoslovakia.

MADISON, Wis.-The U.S. remains among several countries that have yet to require financial institutions to adopt certain practices, and as a result the adoption of a uniform set of international accounting standards remains a distant goal.

MINSK, Belarus-The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and the National Association of Cooperative Savings & Credit Unions (NACSCU) have partnered to provide credit union development assistance here.

DENVER-A delegation from CACPE PASTAZA credit union in Ecuador visited the Credit Union Association of Colorado (CUAC) and some of its member credit unions to examine how well they continued to serve members in spite of economic challenges.

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada-When Servus Credit Union here signed a formal partnership agreement with Caja Popular de Ahorros Yanga, S.C. de A.P. de R.L. de C.V., better known as Caja Yanga credit union, headquartered in Veracruz, Mexico, it marked the first direct relationship involving a Canadian credit union in WOCCU's International Partnerships Program. It's also the first direct relationship involving a natural-person Canadian credit union. Central 1 Credit Union of British Columbia, which is similar to a corporate CU in the U.S., and the Credit Union League of Hong Kong also have a relationship.

DES MOINES, Iowa-During a visit with Iowa's CUs, representatives of Panama's credit unions expressed interest in learning more about advocacy and legislative efforts. The Panamanian delegation visited Iowa as part of the World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU) International Partnerships Program.

WASHINGTON — According to a new study by the Pew Center on the States, California's problems are in a "league of their own," but the same pressures that drove the Golden State toward fiscal disaster are wreaking havoc in a number of states, with potentially damaging consequences for the entire country.

BOULDER CITY, Nev. — There is not much of a recovery to speak of yet in this town located 20 miles from Las Vegas. But the credit union here is hopeful of the future.