ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA reported yesterday that loan growth for the second quarter was less than 0.1% while shares continued to grow at a strong 1.5% rate, as consumers hoarded their savings amid the continuing economic downturn.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Visions FCU will host a live concert during Binghamton University’s annual University Fest at this weekend’s opening of school to promote its products and financial literacy programs.

MONETT, Mo. – Jack Henry & Associates reported net income rose 12% for its fiscal fourth quarter, to $27.8 million, fueled by a 5% rise in sales for its support and service operations, which includes ATM/debit card processing, bill pay and other transaction processing services.

DENVER – Payments giant First Data Corp. said that high finance expenses related to its 2007 takeover by buyout fund Kohlberg Kravis Roberts continues to weigh on its bottom line, pushing the company to a $195.9 million loss for the second quarter.

TAMPA, Fla. – INVEST FINANCIAL Corp. said yesterday three credit unions have signed for its brokerage and investment services, Royal CU, Accentra CU and Cornerstone FCU.

WATERFORD, Mich. – Oakland County CU said John Jones, a director and charter member of the now-$155 million credit union since 1953, has decided to step aside.

OAKLAND, Calif. – Frank Matous, the president and CEO of SeaWest Coast Guard CU, is retiring as head of the $310 million credit union, ending 50 years in the credit union movement.

DICKINSON, N.Y. – GHS FCU said it is now offering its members discounted pet insurance through the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.

SUITLAND, Md. – Andrews FCU has launched a free online debt management tool called Debt in Focus, a web-based tool that helps people improve credit scores and better manage debt.

WASHINGTON – CUNA targeted key congressional leaders with campaign contributions over the first part of the summer, while rebuilding its campaign warchest.

FORT MEYERS, Fla. – A former employee of Publix Supermarkets was convicted last week of running a counterfeit check ring that siphoned more than $150,000 from the Publix Employees FCU.

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. – Wings Financial FCU, the state’s largest credit union, is soliciting members for their vote to convert to a state charter because it hopes to expand to a community charter covering the Twin Cities.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA said yesterday the new Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act does not require a credit union to disclose to its members a five-day grace period it affords after the payment due date.

BROCKTON, Mass. – HarborOne CU’s groundbreaking MultiCultural Banking Center has won the Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Organization.

MADISON, Wis. – As a new school year begins, data from the 2008-09 academic term show credit unions helped make financial literacy presentations before 388,843 students.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Saying it was reacting to ongoing economic issues, Gwinnett FCU here has expanded its Skip-A-Payment program to allow members to skip two payments during 2009, up from the previous limit of one.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Sales of existing homes leaped 7.2% during July for an annualized rate of 5.24 million units when seasonally adjusted. The increase is the largest monthly gain since recordkeeping began in 1999.

DALLAS – EDS Credit Union will launch today what it is calling “The Arrival Guide,” a microsite targeting young professionals seeking to better plan their financial future.

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Firefighters Federal Credit Union and Dayton Habitat for Humanity have received a $100,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

WASHINGTON – CUNA continues to press the Fed for relief from certain provisions of the CARD Act, which went into effect Aug. 20.