WASHINGTON – Perhaps one of the biggest financial regulatory reform issues is the one getting the least amount of attention: federal preemption of state and local consumer protection laws.

BOSTON, Mass. – The regulatory burden that is compelling many smaller credit unions to merge with larger institutions is out of the hands of state regulators, representatives of the state agencies told Credit Union Journal.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – A class action lawsuit filed in an Illinois federal court Thursday alleges JPMorgan Chase Bank engaged in fraud to deny customers access to millions of dollars in their previously approved home equity lines of credit.

MADISON, Wis. – CUES’ Drive for Hope 2009 has raised $57,000 for the University of Wisconsin Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center’s “Creating Hope” Lung Cancer Campaign to provide facilities, researchers and support for lung cancer research.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – A man dubbed the “Brazen Bandit,” who is a suspect in bank and credit union robberies in North and South Carolina, now is a suspect in a bank robbery in Tennessee.

TAMPA, Fla. – A CUSO here is planning to turn to crowdsourcing to help design its online banking platform.

BEAVERTON, Ore. – The Credit Union Association of Oregon said it will participate in the nationwide REAL Solutions initiative, which offers resources that allow credit unions to expand and enhance programs for low- and moderate-income members and the “unbanked.”

MONTVALE, N.J. – Paragon FCU CEO Richard Rays announced he will be retiring at the end of this year, after 16 years of service at the $400-million CU.

NEEDHAM, Mass. – Debit cards now are being used for 50.4% of all non-cash purchases, up from just 1% in 1990.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – What will the nation’s credit union community look like 100 years from now? Will there even be one? Or will it be even more robust?

SAN DIEGO – A new company here has announced plans to roll out a new core data processing solution for credit unions.

BOSTON – The audit report on failed corporate U.S. Central is expected shortly and should help dictate its future, according to NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland. NCUA placed U.S. Central into conservatorship in January of this year.

BOSTON – New laws and shake-ups in the regulatory structure are not enough to prevent systemic risk from putting the country’s financial industry in a precarious position.

An article in the Aug. 19 edition of the Daily Briefing said FSCC is awarding $930,000 to credit unions that helped stop fraud activity during the first half of 2009. The credit unions will be receiving awards for helping to stop more than $930,000 in fraudulent activity.

DULUTH, Ga. – In what may be an industry first, Georgia FCU has put its marketing on ice.

WILLISTON, Vt. – New England Federal Credit Union said CEO David T. Bard is retiring in January after 24 years of service, and current COO John J. Dwyer Jr. will succeed him as the credit union’s new CEO.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Insight Financial Credit Union is offering a special School Supply Loan to teachers, administrators, and school employees.

RALEIGH, N.C. – The N.C. State Firemen’s Association and Local Government FCU have teamed up on a “Swipe the Card, Win The Truck” sweepstakes, which will give away a 2010 Ford F1-50 XLT as part of an effort to raise money for the association.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The FBI is teaming up with area banks and credit unions to catch a serial robber, the Missouri CU Association said.

TUKWILA, Wash. – The credit union loan officer turned America’s Got Talent quarter-finalist now can turn his attention – full time – to his day job.