WASHINGTON – Credit unions have received more than $3 million in grants from the latest round of the Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, but concerns are being expressed at how little of the total funds went to credit unions.

ARLINGTON, Va. – NAFCU last week announced three full-time employees were being let go as part of what it called “ belt-tightening.”

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa CU League, planning for the expected consolidation of the corporate credit union system, has applied to federal banking regulators to acquire an Arizona-based bank that would provide its credit unions with access to the Federal Reserve’s payment system and provide other powers.

This special CU Journal series explores how and why a variety of credit unions have changed their names — and how they have measured the success of the move after the fact. If you're considering changing your credit union's name, this is a must-read, packed with useful advice and insight into the decision-making and implementation process of making a new name for yourself.

This week's special report offers a host of stories about lending, including: how one CU has expanded its lending by creating special indirect loan programs with local businesses, an exploration of whether the industry's growth in lending marketshare may come at a price down the road, auto lending success in Michigan and much more.

TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Dorety, CEO of the $5.8-billion Suncoast Schools FCU in Tampa, Fla., and a member of the CUNA board, is hopeful there will be more choices regarding capital in credit unions' future.

WASHINGTON — Both CU trade associations last week indicated support for a proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency, but both also called for changes and clarifications.

WASHINGTON — Despite opposition from his counterpart in the house and from community bankers, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd made a concerted push during a hearing last week to create a single financial regulator. Dodd made special reference during the hearing, however, that credit unions were not to be included and that NCUA would remain an independent agency.

FOREST GROVE, Ore. — For the first time in eight years, credit union full-time equivalent (FTE) employee growth has not exceeded member growth.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill. — Mike Moebs, CEO of Moebs $ervices, believes that the NAFCU and CUNA effort on supplemental capital does not go far enough.

SAN DIEGO — They traverse the country speaking at conferences of all types, so what are financial industry consultants hearing about the state of the economy?

WILLISTON, Vt. — New England FCU CEO David Bard has announced he would be stepping down from the position he has held for nearly a quarter century. As he prepares to ride off into the sunset in January, Bard talked with CU Journal about his journey from regulator to cooperative leader.

WESTBURY, N.Y. — Nassau County FCU's decision to change its name to sound less like a credit union and more like a bank — Nassau Financial — may not seem that wise today.

RALEIGH, N.C. — State Employees Credit Union here is lending its hand, and its money, in the struggle against foreclosure across the state.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — After dedicating marketing budget after marketing budget to convincing the community that the credit union served more than members of the U.S. Air Force, Norton Community CU decided it would be wiser to spend the money on changing its name.

MADISON, Wis. — A new credit card law designed to restrict certain predatory lending practices, and bankers' reactions to it, present an opportunity for credit unions.

WATERLOO, Iowa — When the primary sponsor asks the credit union to change its name, the process goes a lot more smoothly if the CU embraces the request from the beginning.

SAN DIEGO — Is the recession over? The Conference Board has stated it is. Fed Chief Ben Bernanke has said publicly the recession is technically over, and the stock markets and Wall Street are seeing signs of life. But what about Main Street?

DALLAS — Much has been made of the importance of crafting a strong brand image to retain and attract members. But one credit union here is ensuring that every employee has an appreciation for its brand and can convey the message to the membership through special training exercises,