WASHINGTON — While the stock market continues to rise, the credit union industry's leading economists downwardly revised their forecast for the second quarter, saying that their assessment at the end of the first quarter was too optimistic.

Once out of CUs' price range, former buildings that already have drive-up windows are becoming more affordable, but is it a good move to take one of these on? Find out in the stories below.

BARCELONA, Spain — If credit unions wanted to know how they contribute to the greater good, they needed listen only to Vincente Fox, the former president of Mexico.

BARCELONA, Spain — The economic crisis in the U.S. is hitting CU balance sheets around the world in different ways, with countries that thought they would escape its effects saying they have also recently begun feeling some pain.

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Massachusetts CUs Pilot Tax Credit Loan Program

MADISON, Wis. — Though fast-food restaurants and gas stations are usually located on prime pieces of real estate and the site plan sets up nicely for a financial branch, the buildings themselves can pose major problems for CUs that are planning to remodel the structure rather than level it.

JANESVILLE, Wis. — As fast-food restaurants, with their choice corner locations and drive-up windows, close due to the economy, they seem a perfect fit for a CU looking to expand its branch network, but there are other factors to consider.

TALLAHASSE, Fla. — Credit unions that have gone through the process of converting a non-financial building to a new branch seem to agree on why they chose that route: location and timeline. While commercial real estate values have declined significantly, prime spots along major thoroughfares that can accommodate a drive-thru easily are still hard to come by, even in shell-shocked real estate markets like Florida.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Credit unions could have the opportunity to snatch up Bank of America branches, now that the banking giant could be cutting up to 10% of its branching network over the next few years.

NORCROSS, Ga. — Credit unions looking to in-store branching to expand their physical footprints need to be aware of the unique nature of such branches.

HONOLULU-Ariel Chun, president and CEO of the University of Hawaii FCU for the last 23 years, announced she is retiring on Dec. 31.

SAN FRANCISCO-A man who said he robbed Patelco CU last week returned the stolen $1,200 to a priest in confession, refused to give himself up.

CHATSWORTH, Calif.-Telesis Community CU, which operates one of the largest member business loan portfolios in the country, filed default notices recently on loans originally made for $29 million for two historic Portland, Ore., buildings.

PENSACOLA, Fla.-A local developer closed a loan deal with two local credit unions and a Tampa bank for $38 million to build a 206-room Holiday Inn on Pensacola Beach.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-The Golden 1 CU said it has completed the merger of Steinbeck CU, one of two ailing credit unions being acquired by the $7-billion credit union.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — As the economy continues to stutter, it's time for credit unions to dig into their secret weapon: all that payment data they have on their membership.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — While consumers' credit scores may be falling, and the amount of risk associated with even the higher scores has increased, the way those scores work continues to perform well.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — When it comes to the corporate credit union debacle, there is more than enough blame to go around, and NCUA Chairman Michael Fryzel isn't shy about sharing it.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Though Debbie Matz hasn't officially been confirmed as the next NCUA chair, the transition talks have already begun.