NEW BEDFORD, Mass.-Local credit unions and banks are teaming up for a program to help buyers purchase foreclosed properties in the city with state, local and private assistance.

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla.-Power Financial CU and office retailer Staples announced a Small Business Makeover promotion offering small business owners the chance to evaluate their marketing and win a $1,000 Staples Gift Card.

Coventry CU, R.I., named Adam Quinlan vice president, commercial services.

PHOENIX-While holding out little hope for a recovery this year in this hard-hit real estate market, one CU said it is surprised at the high quality apps it has begun seeing.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-While many financial institutions still feel the impact of the country's real estate downturn, one North Carolina CU is reporting an increase in its mortgage loans.

MADISON, Wis.-Members may be wary to open their wallets for a lot of things, but CUs might find they are more open to insurance products, particularly those that take over loan payments when a member loses his ability to continue paying off the loan.

LENEXA, Kan.-Several corporate credit unions, already weighed down by losses on their mortgage backed securities, are delaying a final accounting for 2008 as they wait to determine how much of the huge $1.1-billion loss at U.S. Central FCU will flow down to them.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel reported that many local residents were voting "with their feet." The story noted that some customers of Washington Mutual, which was acquired by JPMorgan Chase, and Wachovia, was acquired by Citigroup, were moving to credit unions, such as Bay Federal, which reported it had opened 1,270 new accounts totaling $15 million over a two week period, a 40% increase over typical volume. The story also quoted Sheila Schat of Santa Cruz Community CU.

As the president of the 11th largest credit union in the country, I have followed, with considerable interest, the financial performance of U.S. Central, the corporates and the recent actions of NCUA.

When the notorious bank robber Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks he replied "...because that's where the money is." While one would have hoped for a higher standard from the NCUA, the nation's credit union chief regulator, when asked why they were pillaging the capital accounts of thousands of natural person credit unions to support a few, badly managed corporate credit unions, the NCUA response was tantamount to "because that's where the capital is."

YORBA LINDA, Calif.-Two national CPA firms are delivering much the same advice that was handed down to CUs at the GAC last week: Wait for more details from the NCUA and AICPA before making accounting plans regarding the Corporate Stabilization Plan.

Losses among some corporates have resulted in the planned corporate stabilization program and the NCUA ANPR, which have transcended the corporate network itself and clearly become an issue of vital concern to every individual credit union. The issues addressed in the ANPR not only have the potential to radically reshape the corporate structure, but they also could dramatically and irreversibly impact the future of every natural-person credit union.

The days immediately following Katrina were so incredibly difficult for our employees as well as our members at Gulf Coast Community Federal Credit Union. The devastation in our area was such that many of our employees had lost their homes. One of our Gulfport branches was completely destroyed and our Bay St. Louis branch had been in the way of the surge and suffered serious water damage.

My 100th birthday coincides with the credit unions' 100th birthday. I have been a volunteer for more than 50 years and experienced growth of services from just savings and loans to the multiple services now offered. Several months ago I had lunch with Newt Gingrich, and I asked him what advice he had for credit unions. He said, "Adopt every available new method to provide easy access to your services."

MARCH

SAN DIEGO-Be among the first 85 people to register for Credit Union Journal's Grow Show, and you'll have the opportunity to hear some Blue Ocean strategies--literally. Get leadership insights from Capt. Mike Manazir, commanding officer of the USS Nimitz, the largest warship in the world. Yet despite its size, space on the Nimitz is limited, so make sure to register today.

If you like your loose ends tied up or you're one of those "closure" people, then you're feeling a might uncomfortable right now, especially if you were at CUNA's Governmental Affairs Conference last week.

CO-OP FS Offers Mobile Banking

PORTLAND, Ore.-Continuity and a personal touch keep tiny Sunset Science Park FCU at or near the top of credit union rankings, according to its CEO.

WILMINGTON, N.C.-Credit unions who do not have a strong Internet presence could lose as much as 50% of all new account openings by the middle of the next decade, according to Bob Giltner, consulting partner at My Rewards, will show credit unions low and no cost ways to break into the online marketplace or strengthen an existing presence there at this year's Grow Show.