HOUSTON — The latest attempt to reform overdraft protection programs is gaining traction due to political and economic pressures, potentially dealing a major blow to credit union fee income.

What if you could develop a simple and low-cost method to effectively reduce robberies and fraud, and enhance the member and staff branch experience at the same time? What if a new security methodology could actually support and promote a credit union's branding and cultural initiatives and deliver higher ROI at the same time?

There are deal-breakers and back-breakers, and then there is the question raised by the Senate passage of legislation to allow NCUA to stretch out the costs of the corporate CU bailout for as long as eight years-will it be the ice breaker?

Research is an income generator. Research is an expense minimizer. And research is a key tool to help you grow. [No, I'm not smoking any funny stuff. Really] Read on.

It has taken me three days to respond to your April 27, 2009 article titled "FIs Won't Do Well on Treasury 'Stress Test'." I must be an idiot because I do not see the validity of these comments as it relates to my credit union!

With the unpredictable financial markets, credit unions are poised to significantly grow their share of residential mortgage lending activity in 2009. In the past, borrowers were bombarded with telemarketing calls, junk mail, and TV advertising from brokers and retail lenders. Today, however, that "noise" is getting quieter, and borrowers are growing wary of working with big banks and mortgage lenders in the wake of the current market volatility.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-Credit Union Journal has entered into a partnership with the American Debt Relief Challenge, a credit union-backed effort to save at least 37,400 cosumers more than $300 million. For details, www.adrchallenge.com.

Fryzel Supports 'Systemic Risk Council' Idea

CINCINNATI — Members and employees alike utilizing technological efficiencies has helped Cincinnati Ohio Police FCU steadily increase its walletshare.

WASHINGTON — NAFCU and CUNA have joined with the Electronic Payments Coalition to run a series of targeted advertisements to combat efforts by merchants to reduce or cap interchange fees on plastic card transactions.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA said the nation's 27 corporate credit unions will have to charge-off more than $1.5 billion of capital they held in U.S. Central FCU, pushing most of them below regulatory minimums and, in many cases, forcing their member credit unions to write-down the value of their own capital.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The two credit unions headquartered here, plus two branches of Wescom CU, still are assessing damage and are awaiting reports from members as a rare May California wildfire burns this seaside city.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The two credit unions headquartered here, plus two branches of Wescom CU, still are assessing damage and are awaiting reports from members as a rare May California wildfire burns this seaside city.

HOUSTON – Wednesday’s story about Pennsylvania SECU’s new suit here in the Heartland Payments cards breach stated the credit union’s suit in the 2004 BJ Wholesale Club breach was dismissed. That case was subsequently reinstated by a federal appeals court and PSECU is still pursuing its claim against BJ Wholesale.

FORT WORTH, Texas – VALID Systems reported yesterday it has been issued a new patent for check cashing innovation.

HOUSTON – Pulse EFT announced an alliance with Money/Pass to create a surcharge-free network of 16,000 ATMs.

RICHMOND, Va. – Police area searching one or more thieves who stole an ATM from Call FCU early Thursday morning.

SALISBURY, N.C.. – A member of First Legacy CU and one other man were charged with Wednesday’s armed robbery at First Legacy CU after the member was chased down by a police dog.

WASHINGTON – Organizers of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run said the annual 10-mile road race in the nation’s capital raise more than $1 million for Children’s Miracle Network.

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. – Frankenmuth CU has opened two branches in Meijer stores in nearby Birch Run and Essexville.