BISMARCK, N.D.-Mid-America Credit Union Association recently handed out a number of awards at its annual meeting: Capital CU received the Champion Award for its commitment to the political well-being of the cooperative movement.

MADISON, Wis.-Credit unions' ethical leadership has given them both integrity and strength during the current financial crisis, according to Melvin Edwards, the outgoing chairman of the World Council. But credit unions can gain even greater influence by speaking as a single global body, he said, supporting credit unions in developing countries and increasing influence worldwide.

ASUNCION, Paraguay-With credit unions in Paraguay playing an increasingly greater role in their members' lives, government regulations and oversight to expand service are critical to growing those CUs, lawmakers were told by a visiting delegation from the World Council and the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN).

WASHINGTON-Credit unions continue to sell increasing portions of their home loans as interest rates fall to decade-lows.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.-A well-known top executive at Memphis Area Teachers CU, one of five senior officials terminated last month, claims her job was eliminated in retaliation for blowing the whistle to regulators on fraud, waste and violations of regulations at the $550-million credit union.

RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Tim Kaine unveiled a new payday loan program exclusively offered by Virginia CU, originally the state employees' CU.

MADISON, Wis.-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the World Council of Credit Unions approximately $7.9 million through the Food for Progress Program to help finance CU development aimed at providing agricultural extension services and financial access to farmers in Ethiopia.

NAIROBI, Kenya-Seven months after passing its first credit union law, Kenya's government is working to create effective regulations with the help of World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).

LSDS Integrates FHA Scorecard

MONTREAL, Canada-CUES has released two new manuals.

APPLETON, Wis.-The personal savings rate has jumped significantly as the recession deepens and unemployment soars, but with consumer spending making up nearly 70% of the nation's GDP, the spending pullback is causing a negative feedback loop.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana-FORUM Credit Union here has launched a new program that challenges members to save money, change their spending habits and manage their money better.

SHELL KNOB, Mo.-The head of a tiny credit union in this small, unincorporated community is pulling out all the stops to make a big difference for the local economy.

TAMPA-The Great Depression changed the mindset of an entire generation. But despite quickly rising savings rates today it remains to be seen if thrift will be a long-term trend or a passing fad for those enduring the current recession.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-Sometimes, the smaller the credit union, the bigger the compliance challenge.

Arlington, Va.-NASCUS has reaccredited the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR). The Michigan agency was the first state credit union regulatory agency to earn NASCUS accreditation status in 1989. This re-accreditation is the agency's fifth consecutive re-accreditation by NASCUS. The OFIR supervises 215 natural person credit unions with combined assets of approximately $25 billion.

CHICAGO-Gregg Brown, founder and CEO of South Side Community FCU, has been named one of the Chicago Matters Global Visionaries by Chicago Public Radio, WBEZ. Founded in 2003, South Side Community FCU currently serves nearly 1,400 low-income residents in Chicago's South Side community. In just four years the credit union has grown to more than $4.1 million in assets.

CALUMET CITY, Ill.-Illiana Financial CU has selected Jim Henmueller as its new president and CEO. Henmueller will replace Walter Kopacz, who is retiring after 32 years of service in the credit union movement. Henmueller has nearly 25 years of senior executive management experience in the credit union industry including serving as President/CEO of Chief Financial FCU, Pontiac, Mich., and CEO of International UAW Federal Credit Union in Detroit.

INDIANAPOLIS-The Indiana CU League's Servicecorp reported it is offering a special promotion in which client CUs can receive a 20% rebate on the registration cost of education sessions, strategic planning sessions, and other programs presented by the Indiana league. Also, registration fees for major conferences have been reduced 10% to 22%.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-Healthcare Credit Unions International's 2009 Membership Conference will take place at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco on Union Square Oct. 7-9. For info: 904-996-7671 or go to www.hcui.coop.