SAN DIEGO — In what is believed to be the first connection of violent street gangs to a sophisticated bank scam here, 60 suspects were arrested last week in a predawn raid here and charged with scamming Navy FCU out of more than $500,000.

MANCHESTER, N.H. — While St. Mary's Bank clearly understands the impact of the corporate assessment on the credit union, it does not currently plan to chart a new strategic course.

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii-Online security needs to be beefed up at financial institutions, their members and among vendors because of advances in online fraud, CUNA Mutual said at Hawaii Credit Union League's 71st Annual Convention. "Phishing scams have become a mainstream activity for fraudsters," a risk manager told the conference. "Consumers continue to be duped by this e-mail scam and provide their account numbers and online banking passwords. It's important for credit unions, corporate credit unions and third-party providers of electronic funds transfer services to adopt suitable authentication methods to prevent costly unauthorized transactions." FIs can institution IP restrictions, multifactor identification and online payment transaction limits to help cut down on fraud.

TACOMA, Wash.-Seattle Metro CU's $10 handout event was named "Best Investment, Banking & Financial Services Campaign" by the 2009 Bulldog Awards. Journalists from the New York Times, The Washington Post and The Oregonian among others judged the awards. Seattle Metro hosted the giveaway in September asking Seattle residents a question: "If we gave you $10, what would you do for someone else?" Answers were posted on YouTube and voted on by the public with the winning idea earning $1,000. Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union chief marketing office Jill Vicente presented the case at Credit Union Journal's Grow Show in late April showing how a mix of viral media, PR and a simple question brings press and success to the credit union.

MADISON, Wis.-The CUNA Councils have released a white paper on turning innovation into a core competency. "'Innovation as an Industry Focus' discusses what it takes to be innovative, including embracing innovation as a core competency," the councils said.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.-Redstone FCU here plans to help businesses in the area thanks to new SBA lending guidelines written in the American Recovery Reinvestment Act. Under the new guidelines, Redstone will be able to dispense SBA loans up to $2 million, a number of guaranty fees will be eliminated and the CU can provide up to $4 million for a $10-million project under the 504 loan program. The new changes will help grow small businesses and eliminate barriers to entry, Redstone's VP- business retail said.

BEAVERTON, Ore. — The corporate assessment has kept the $2-billion First Technology CU ALCO busy, revising its 2009 strategic plan twice, explained CFO Hank Sigmon.

CORONADO, Calif. — With the average American (including CU employees) scoring an "F" in Financial Literacy 101, there can be bottom-line benefits to improving that grade, according to two experts.

CORONADO ISLAND, Calif. — Successful, growing credit unions all have one thing in common: a committed focus to being just that: successful, growing credit unions.

CORONADO, Calif. — Don't let that Gen X and Gen Y marketing focus cause your credit union to lose sight of the value of the Baby Boomers.

CORONADO, Calif. — A couple of credit union leaders who have ignited product innovation in their own state are now looking to ignite it in others.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The costs of the corporate assessment are causing course corrections-big and small-at credit unions across the country, sending many asset/liability committees back to the drawing board.

LAS VEGAS — Safety and soundness and due diligence always have been paramount for credit unions, but NCUA officials said how to achieve these pillars has all changed since the onset of the financial crisis.

ONTARIO, Calif. — Swayed by the success of the Invest in America program and sales of GM and Chrysler products, Kia Motors America is partnering with Credit Union Direct Lending (CUDL) on a discounted car-buying program for credit union members.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Affinity Federal Credit Union here is rolling out a new credit card-Hillsborough Township Rewards Visa-that offers rewards points to cardholders and gives back a portion of the transaction fee to selection youth, senior and nonprofit groups.

LAS VEGAS — Credit Union Journal asked attendees how diminished bottom lines and the need to pay into the corporate stabilization plan were affecting CUs' investment in their CUSOs. Were conditions driving increased interest in CUSOs, which often provide income? Or were there simply no funds available for CUSO development/investment?

LAKE BLUFF, Ill. — Many credit unions are at least 50% over-staffed, says one industry analyst who suggests that now is the "perfect time" to do something about that.

CLEVELAND — While Lee Butke, president of Corporate One FCU, told Credit Union Journal that member support for Corporate One continues to be strong, he acknowledged the frustration credit unions are feeling, kicking off a session at the Ohio league's annual meeting here by asking, "Does anyone have rocks to throw at me?"

SAN FRANCISCO — Social networks are becoming a key channel for credit unions, and a new resource is launching to make it even easier for CUs to jump on the cyber bandwagon.

LAS VEGAS — The parallels between 1976 and 2009 are clear: an economic crisis, people losing their jobs or scared they will, banks busting...and in another similarity, Michael Hales is mad as hell, and he's not going to take it anymore.