METAIRIE, La. — The current recession is the perfect time to convert to a new core system that can help you make the most of the impending economic recovery, according to a $98-million CU here.

MADISON, Wis. — A number of dramatic cases recently, including one in which a pastor and several accomplices stole more than $400,000 from a Flordia credit union where he worked as a branch manager, have thrust into the spotlight the question of whether insider fraud is on the rise during the economic downturn.

Since the advent of Check 21, check imaging solutions have continued to gain momentum among all financial institutions, especially as the Federal Reserve pares down its delivery system. As remote deposit capture for business takes hold in the marketplace, a new technology enters the space for consumers-consumer capture.

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions... and a poor interpretation of statistics. Case in point, the NCRC's latest report card on credit unions versus banks about "serving the underserved."

Now that we know how the Corporate Stabilization Fund is going to impact the expense side of credit union balance sheets, it is time to implement plans to offset these sky-high, but lower than expected premium expenses with additional revenues. But where might these additional revenues come from? Through increased access to your revenue-generating products and services.

If you think you're alone in borrowing a page from Warren G. Harding's presidential campaign and hoping for a "Return to Normalcy" at your credit union in 2010, consider the plight of conference and meeting planners.

The ability to recover quickly and completely from systems failures and disasters is perhaps more critical for credit unions and other financial institutions than for many other types of organizations.

There can be no doubt we are in challenging economic times. The question is, "How will we navigate these times?" I truly believe we have the opportunity to do much more than just survive, but to thrive.

WASHINGTON — Key lawmakers expressed support last week to bring credit unions and other financial services providers under the Community Reinvestment Act, as a growing number of CRA advocates built their case for expansion of the 1977 law.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska USA FCU said it has completed the acquisition of High Desert FCU, the one-time $190 million credit union based in Apple Valley, California, one of the biggest credit union failures in several years.

MADISON, Wis. – CUNA Mutual Group announced yesterday the sale of its majority stake in The CUMIS Group Ltd., its Canadian subsidiary, to Co-Operators Life Insurance Co., a long-time partner, and Central 1 CU, a Canadian central credit union.

HOUSTON – One of two young men who made off with $202,000 from the 2008 armed robbery of Investex CU with the help of a credit union employee was sentenced this week to 16-and-a-half years in prison.

FITCHBURG, Mass. – Workers’ CU’s 200 employees raised $47,590 for the United Way of North Central Massachusetts in just six weeks.

McLEAN, Va. – Long-term mortgage rates moved lower again this week, with the average for the benchmark 30-year loan slipping closer to the 5% mark, according to Freddie Mac.

VICTORIA, Texas – Texas Dow Employees CU broke ground Tuesday on a 4,900-foot branch full-service branch.

DURHAM, N.C. – Latino Community CU has acquired a 11,895 square-foot building in the downtown where it plans to build new offices.

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – American Eagle FCU has signed with GMT Corp. to implement the company’s WFM call center management system across its network of 17 branches.

BROCKTON, Mass. – HarborOne CU said yesterday it is making $200 million available for its newly launched commercial lending division.

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah – Family First FCU will open a car lot tomorrow adjacent to its branch here, with the lot being stocked with credit union-owned cars for sale.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA warned corporate credit unions to expect additional impairment of their capital based on the losses for 2008 reported by U.S. Central FCU last Friday.