LAS VEGAS — For credit unions in the so-called "sand states" — Nevada, Arizona, California and Florida — their financial foundations are much like a sandcastle lapped by an approaching surf.

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — Evolving small ad-hoc promotions can become the driving force in picking up new business, as one credit union here has discovered.

Perhaps no word conjures up more of a diverse reaction now than "mortgage."

WASHINGTON – The Republican Party is floating a proposal that would combine all of the banking and credit union regulators under one roof.

MECHANICSBURG, Penn. – The Mechanicsburg Area school board voted Tuesday to name the Mechanicsburg Middle School library for Members 1st FCU.

MELROSE, Minn. – Central Minnesota FCU is planning to expand into the nearby communities of St. Joseph and Avon with new branches.

ROANOKE, Va. – Fast-growing Member One FCU has submitted plans to build a new headquarters adjacent to its existing building in northeast Roanoke.

PALO ALTO, Calif. – Addison Avenue FCU has introduced low-rate loans to finance solar power home projects through SunPower Corp.

SKOWHEGAN, Me. – A hooded man held up Taconnet FCU at knifepoint Wednesday, then fled on a motorcycle driven by another man, who also wore a dark hooded sweat shirt.

WORCESTER, Mass. – Webster First FCU will move its operations center next week from nearby Webster to an 85,000-square-foot building in this western Massachusetts city.

McLEAN,Va. – Home loan rates continue to rise for the third straight week, to their highest in eight months, depressing loan demand along the way.

WASHINGTON – Staffers on the Senate Banking Committee are said to be reviewing the eligibility of Deborah Matz to be the next chairman of the NCUA Board, in light of her work in the industry since leaving the NCUA Board in 2005.

NEWARK, N.J. – The founder and owner of U.S. Mortgage Corp. pleaded guilty yesterday to a massive mortgage fraud that siphoned almost $140 in funds from almost 30 credit union customers of the company’s CU National Mortgage unit.

The federal regulator for credit unions has allowed them to make modifications to home loans in which the lender shares in any appreciation of the property in exchange for lowering principal.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Check printer Harland Clarke said yesterday it is shutting its check printing plant in nearby Salina, which employs 101 people.

FORTH WORTH, Texas – American Airlines FCU announced the winners of eight $2,000 college scholarships, seven are graduating high school students ad one is already in college.

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia CU has signed a multi-year agreement with Online Resources Corp. to install the company’s integrated online banking and bill payment services.

ST. LOUIS – American Eagle CU has acquired a 29,600 square-foot former branch of Regions Bank and plans to renovate it for its own service center.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Education First FCU continued its year-long building spree with plans for a new training facility–along with the seven supermarket branches opened over the past 12 months.

ROLLA, Mo. – Mid Missouri CU won the bidding against three banks Tuesday to a six-month $225,000 CD being placed by Phelps County.