ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Federal credit unions' combined share of first- and second-lien mortgage volume, including home equity lines of credit, nearly doubled last year, to 6.19% last year, from 3.62% in 2007, according to data compiled by SourceMedia Inc.'s MortgageStats.com and NCUA.

PLANO, Texas-Existing home sales rose 6.7% in April, the fourth increase in the past five months and the largest monthly increase in more than seven years, according to Brian Turner, director of advisory services at Southwest Corporate FCU. The April increase comes on the heels of a 3.2% gain in March.

WASHINGTON-Federal financial institution regulatory agencies, including NCUA, are seeking public comment on proposed rules requiring mortgage loan originators who are employees of Agency-regulated institutions to meet the registration requirements of the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008. The S.A.F.E. Act requires the agencies to jointly develop and maintain a system for registering residential mortgage loan originators who are employees of national and state banks, savings associations, credit unions, and Farm Credit System institutions, and certain subsidiaries. These mortgage loan originators must be registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry For info: www.ncua.gov.

HARRISBURG, Penn.-Pennsylvania State Employees CU is offering all members a free download of Trusteer Rapport protection fo online businesses as an additional layer of security for online banking sessions.

PLANO, Texas-Fast-growing EDS CU has applied to state regulators to acquire troubled First America FCU in Santa Ana, creating a presence in southern California.

RICHMOND, Ind.-Thomas Harris, a long-time president of NATCO CU who was active in the CU movement for more than 50 years, died at 84 Sunday, after a short illness. Thomas retired from NATCO, the industrial parts manufacturer, in 1983, and served as the president of the NATCO CU for 10 years. He was active in credit union work 50 years.

SAN DIMAS, Calif.-Financial Service Center Cooperative has agreed to provide settlement services to participants in the correspondent credit union program operated by the Information Technologies CU Association, upon the dissolution of the group.

WASHINGTON-CUNA, which has been struggling with large losses, said it will furlough all employees for a week of unpaid leave and stop making matching 401(k) retirement account payments to help stem its declining financial situation. The budget cuts come after CUNA reported an $8-million loss for 2008, after a $5.7-million loss for 2007. The furloughs will be staggered to ensure the continuation of services to members, CUNA said.

MEQUON, Wis. — Credit unions and their members will now be able to consistently communicate across multiple channels throughout the mortgage application process as Mortgagebot released its new integrated point of sale solution.

AUGUSTA, Maine-Far removed from the so-called "sand states," Maine has its own share of economic challenges.

BALTIMORE, Md. — While many institutions are laying off employees, merging, or closing their doors entirely, one credit union is expanding and actively hiring new employees.

AUGUSTA, Maine. — With predictions a purchase-mortgage boom is headed credit unions' way, Ira Oskowsky, regional sales director-Eastern sales division with CMG Mortgage Insurance, offered these pointers during the Maine league's recent annual meeting:

Holy Rosary CU, Rochester, N.H., named Erica Tremblay Employee of the Quarter for Q1 2009 and recognized Suzanne Wilkins for 25 years of service.

Meetings

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA reported said last week it has granted broader community charters to two Pennsylvania credit unions rebuffed by a federal court last year - but less than half of what a federal court turned down last year.

WASHINGTON-Credit union lobbyists were working last week to ensure that NCUA is left out of ongoing plans to merge the financial regulatory agencies.

WASHINGTON-The White House last week sent the nominating papers for NCUA Board candidate Deborah Matz to the Senate Banking Committee for its required review.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA is preparing to transfer the $5.9-billion cost of the corporate credit union bailout from the National CU Share Insurance Fund to the newly created Corporate CU Stabilization Fund, which would allow credit unions to pay off the bailout charge over seven years.

PEORIA, Ill. — Many credit unions are reporting that overall mortgage volume is up, but house valuation comparisons — or "comps" — used in the mortgage lending process are affecting credit unions' foreclosures and short-sales.

It's not just the "Why?" but the "How?" How in the world do you create a strategic plan for mortgage lending today when the market is in a state of constant change? How could you even think about a plan of action when products are evaporating, the government is making new rules on a daily basis, and rates are venturing to levels that you never imagined?