ST. LOUIS, Mo.-The Missouri CU Association will distribute $500,000 to affiliated CUs "to help member credit unions address issues surrounding the volatile economy and stimulate growth."

While the NCUA is definitely a "government agency," I believe it would be in the best interest of the credit union movement that Credit Union Journal refrain from using the words "government rescue" and "bailout" in the same sentence. In fact, I believe an article explaining that this bailout is not coming from taxpayer dollars would be in order.

WASHINGTON-Opposition among credit unions was spreading last week to NCUA's plans to finance a rescue of the corporate credit union network with a $5-billion premium assessed all federally insured CUs.

I just got Credit Union Journal's tribute issue to the 100th anniversary of credit unions (Jan. 12), and I loved Frank Diekmann's views and opinion column - not not quite as stirring as Obama's speech - but hey it came close!

The reality is that fraud happens. On average, credit card issuers experience approximately six basis points of loss every year ($600 per $1 million in charge volume), which is low compared to the 18 basis-point peak in the early 1990s. The annual cost to U.S. issuers is estimated to be $1 billion.

In the fall of 1984, 16 acquaintances from Illinois decided they deserved a break from their hard work with a golf trip to Biloxi, Miss. The group departed on their excursion on March 8, 1985 in two motor homes. The 16 consisted of 11 credit union CEOs, an advertising salesman, the owner of a marketing firm, a board chairman, a retired ICUL Service Corp. vice president, and a vice president from our corporate credit union. What transpired from the first trip was amazing. During that week, a network of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect was established that grew into something special. Since then, more than 60 people have participated in one or more of the trips, with no fewer than 16 participants or more than 24 in a given year. Due to the fact that the first 12 excursions were to Biloxi, Miss., those who attended are known as the "Biloxi Boys."

Several years ago a member stopped me in the lobby of the our Dover Air Force Base Branch to thank me. I must have had a puzzled look on my face, because he asked if I remembered him, and I did not. He told me that 10 years prior to this I had "saved his life."

FEBRUARY

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. Ensuring outside perspectives on leadership and innovation are a hallmark of Grow Show, and this year's event will include a special evening session with 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. For info: www.cujournal.com.

BURLINGTON, Mass. Eastern Corporate FCU (EasCorp) sent a letter to the board of U.S. Central last week saying the corporate's corporate has "failed the crdit union industry" and calling for "immediate changes" in U.S. Central's management.

Every time there is a catastrophic storm or event, it is invariably labled a "once-a-century" occurrence. That such events seem to occur every few years never seems to throw any water on application of the "once-a-century" hyperbole.

LINCOLN, Neb.- Alliant CU has absorbed Southeast Nebraska FCU in Beatrice, Neb., via merger. The combined institution will have 5,061 members and $66 million in assets.

MADISON, Wis.-Summit Credit Union unveiled a brand-new corporate logo following its merger with Great Wisconsin CU. Though the Summit name was retained, it decided a new post-merger logo was needed.

HARRISBURG, Penn.-The Pennsylvania CU Association has added two new spots to its iBelong credit union awareness campaign. The ads are also available in Illinois and Mississippi, where the respective leagues have licensed the campaign. The new spots tout a safety and soundness message.

HIGHTSTOWN, N.J.-The New Jersey Credit Union League has redesigned its logo with a goal of displaying the cooperative nature of credit unions. The logo was designed by Greylock Marketing Group (a CUSO of Greylock FCU). "Our goal was to design a logo that would represent the coming together of different credit unions," said Bob Maxwell, AVP/creative director for the agency.

HURON, S.D.-A focus on watching expenses and the resulting ability to offer above-market deposit rates has been the key to Huron Area Education FCU's success as a leader among its peer group.

What: Credit Union Journal's Grow Show.

EULESS, Tex.-When it comes to managing expenses, credit unions need to answer one important question: "Are you overstaffed or grossly overstaffed?"

Banks Get $1.15B More In Infusions

WASHINGTON-Fannie Mae was planning last week to introduce refinancing options designed to help homeowners who have been unable to take advantage of recent low rates, a person with knowledge of the program said.