Summit Credit Union, Madison, Wis., named Erin Ennis mortgage loan officer and Peter Bildsten vice president of retail branches.

WASHINGTON-While CUs continue to debate access to secondary capital (see related story above), NCUA Chairman Michael Fryzel called on new Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner last week to reconsider coverage under the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program to help the growing number of troubled credit unions.

WASHINGTON-The large-scale losses among many of the nation's biggest credit unions are prompting some in the credit union movement to renew calls for access to outside sources of capital.

RALEIGH, N.C.-Coastal FCU is on both ends of the budget spectrum for its branches as it plans to close down four underperforming branches in Q1 while installing new teller systems in its other branches.

Stephen Covey's advice, "Begin with the end in mind," provides a good starting point for effective research, and especially the best research methodology to use. In these challenging times, it's important to focus your research investment wisely. And with research, one size truly does not fit all.

I recently checked out the home pages of a number of credit unions and local banks and was amazed to find no obvious mention of the current financial crisis.

We recently interviewed Mr. Arthur Amundson, one of our past board members who served on the board and as chairman from 1952 to 1983. Mr. Amundson recently celebrated his 100th birthday, meaning he was born the same year credit unions were created in the U.S., and shared some of his memories of A+ Federal Credit Union over the years.

WASHINGTON-The House Judiciary Committee fended off objections from credit unions and other lenders and voted last week to endorse a bill that will allow troubled homeowners to ask a bankruptcy court amend the terms of their mortgages.

The one personal anecdote from my credit union career that reflects the essence of credit unions was when I was Senior VP at Kirtland FCU in Albuquerque, N.M. Among other credit union responsibilities, at that time I had oversight of the member services area. Department staff and member interaction usually involved fairly routine transactions with an occasional special request, but the one request I would never have expected and still remember today as truly reflective of the special nature of credit unions, was one that was made by an older member named Aleda. Although she transacted business at the credit union on a regular basis, she rarely struck up a conversation or asked for assistance from staff. She was very quiet and reserved. Over the years, she placed her life savings in accounts at the credit union.

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.

Watch the evening news (if you can bear it) and it would seem your credit union's lobbies and branches should be anarchy right now. Members borrowing your scissors to cut up plastic cards. Members handing over their keys - to their homes. Members lined up out the door to use your coin-counting machine as they're down to their last dimes. Drive-thrus inoperable because you've parked the repo's there, too.

WASHINGTON-Several candidates are testing the waters for the pending opening on the NCUA Board, with two former board members among the group.

DETROIT-A federal jury awarded Michigan First CU $5 million in damages against CUNA Mutual's CUMIS Insurance Society, finding the CU insurer violated its insurance bond when it refused to pay damages resulting from hundreds of defaulted indirect auto loans.

CO-OP-FS Offers New Service

COTTONWOOD, Idaho-A strong loan-to-deposit ratio, a frugal approach to expenditures and a close connection with the community's needs has propelled Cottonwood Community Federal Credit Union to the top of Callahan & Associates' Return of the Member rankings. The company slotted the $52-million institution first in the return of the saver segment for credit unions of comparable size.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.-What is one of the best ways for a credit union to create a successful marketing campaign? Simply take one that already worked for another CU!

Dames Comes Out Of Retirement For SWBC

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA was forced last week to infuse $1 billion into U.S. Central FCU after the central bank for credit unions reported a staggering $1.2-billion loss for its fourth quarter and $1-billion loss for 2008.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The average credit union will be hit by the huge bailout of the corporate system both coming and going — on its bottom line and on its net worth, according to projections by NCUA.