WASHINGTON — A new draft of a House bill creating the Consumer Financial Protection Agency would give a voice to credit unions by dedicating a spot on the agency's oversight panel for a representative from NCUA, as well as the banking agencies, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and state regulators.

WASHINGTON — Concern over the battering in the secondary markets has led lawmakers to discuss setting new restrictions on mortgage securitizations.

DETROIT — Credit unions certainly fit into GM's future plans, the automaker recently told more than 100 CUs during a nationwide conference call.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Ent Federal Credit Union here has a developed a savings product designed to help beginner savers-and those with limited resources - build up an emergency savings account in a short amount of time.

EUREKA, Calif. — The cooperative nature of the credit union movement apparently is alive and well, and it's as close as the nearest phone book.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.-Greylock FCU has launched a new website at www.greylock.org featuring improved navigation and online money management tools. The enhanced website includes an education section with three tiers to it: Life Events, which offers tips on everything from buying that first car to getting married; Plan It, a retirement readiness toolkit and Fusion, a financial literacy site for youth.

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. — Connex CU has introduced an enhanced line of business services and products including lending, checking, savings, online accounts, health savings and employee group services.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Truliant FCU has launched an online budget management suite that allows users to track spending, forecast expenses, integrate accounts at one location and more.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The nation's largest ethnic credit union remains locked in a tough legal battle, as a former board member at Polish and Slavic FCU has filed lawsuits against the institution alleging that her removal from the board violated the credit union's bylaws.

WASHINGTON — One of the key lawmakers who convinced the Financial Accounting Standards Board last spring to change mark-to-market rules as banks and credit unions were toppling vowed yesterday to end his push to change accounting rules.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The down economy has led Michigan State University FCU to add more basic financial planning assistance for members.

LOWELL, Mass.-Jeanne D'Arc CU has a new promotion aimed at encouraging members to use their debit cards and help three local charities at the same time.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Pacific Service CU has introduced four new checking accounts, all of which offer bill pay, Visa check card, transfers between financial institutions, online banking and optional overdraft protection, all for free.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — More credit unions are turning to CUSOs for many of their non-core services, with analysts saying that could be very welcome news for the long-term health and efficiency of the movement.

HERDON, Va. — Though their main mission is to serve the credit union industry, some CUSOs are finding additional clients in other financial institutions, businesses and perhaps even the public sector.

LENEXA, Kansas — TruHome Solutions is slashing 20 basis points off its mortgage origination fees for all loans funded in September and October. The CUSO said the move was prompted by its budget goals being "significantly exceeded" thanks to efficiencies and spiking lending volume.

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. — As distrust for big banks and investment firms lingers, credit unions have an opportunity to garner even more walletshare by providing a robust financial advisory service, according to one CUSO chief.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Former board members and the ousted chief executive at Mutual Savings Credit Union here evidently disagree with the Alabama Credit Union Administration's decision to place the $194-million credit union into conservatorship as they filed an injunction in local court to halt the process. ACUA Administrator T. Glenn Latham said a hearing could take place in late October.

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas — Since its founding in 1989, CNBS has seen many players rise and fall in its segment of the cooperative industry. Originally owned by U.S. Central and CUNA, the investment services CUSO first competed against First Boston and one other brokerage with credit union clients. The latter failed entirely, while First Boston became part of Credit Suisse and had its CU arm dismantled; the federal government is now running the corporate that once owned 70% of CNBS.

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Credit union people will do a lot of things to live up to the people-helping-people philosophy — shave their heads, have pies thrown at them, you name it — but one CU director literally put his life on the line.