CLARINGTON, Ohio-The MTV Generation is beginning to call the shots in the information technology department, and they want to be taken seriously by their elder executives at the credit union.

SEATTLE, Wash.-Information Technology stinks of systems and processes, but it should smell more like the credit union business.

SAN FRANCISCO-The very fact that many credit unions don't need access to supplemental capital right now is the reason now is the time to push for it, several CU leaders suggested.

MIRAMAR, Fla.-Eastern Florida Financial CU said it has raised $11,400 for the year to help starving families in Haiti who were victimized in a series of catastrophes, starting in the spring by a food shortage, and later in the summer by several deadly hurricanes and storms.

LAS VEGAS-Navy FCU, which has embarked on the most ambitious expansion plan for credit unions, has opened its latest branch here.

BOSTON-Metro CU, the city's biggest credit union, has applied to state regulators to merge into it ailing Boston Globe Employees CU.

WASHINGTON-Plans by NCUA to use the emergency loan fund, known as the Central Liquidity Facility, as the linchpin of a long-term rescue of the credit union system will be decided by Congress, soon after lawmakers return to Capitol Hill early next year.

LANSING, Mich.-The state Treasurer's office kicked off a new program aimed at pumping as much as $150 million of low-rate deposits into the state's credit unions and banks.

Mutual Savings Credit Union, Birmingham, Ala., promoted Diane Gafnea and Jimmy Fradejas to regional director of branch operations, Carissa Fleming to compliance manager, Harriett James to training manager, Lem Walker Riverchase branch manager and John Hendon UAB West branch manager.

WASHINGTON-CUNA began making tens of thousands of campaign contributions to candidates it had opposed in the recent congressional elections, in the days after the ballots were counted.

LANSING, Mich.- Credit unions throughout the Midwest, many of which are sponsored by automakers, have unveiled a plan to help General Motors by providing as much as $10 billion in low-rate loans to purchasers of GM brands.

FORT MYERS, Fla.-The rush of home foreclosures in this southwest corner of Florida, estimated at as many as 25,000 in Lee County alone, has prompted county officials to recall judges from retirement and hold mass foreclosure hearings to speed up the process.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA appears to be unenthusiastic about a CUNA plan that would fund a bailout of troubled credit unions through the National CU Share Insurance Fund, but another proposal is being floated to finance the initiative.

Credit unions have made great strides in protecting their confidential data from outside intruders, but they also need protection from well-meaning employees who use web mail to send passwords and other confidential information to members.

They say that good news travels fast. But, these days bad news seems to travel even faster: with unemployment and food costs at record highs, along with the crisis atmosphere facing the financial services industry, we are in the midst of tough times.

Say it ain't so!

FEBRUARY

Have you found an effective way to tell your credit union's story, or the credit union story itself? The 4th Annual Frankie Awards are now calling for entries. The awards recognize credit unions that have found an innovative way to explain what they are, how they're unique, and why it should matter to members and non-members alike. As always, the Frankies have kept the barriers to entry conveniently low. All you have to do is send an explanation of how you've been telling your story, and attach any supporting marketing materials. The Frankie Awards are priced at the credit union-discounted price of FREE! Deadline is Dec. 31. Send your entry to fdiekmann@cujournal.com.

Credit unions have never been the Ebenezer Scrooge of financial services; indeed, credit unions have been his antidote, organized by the Bob Cratchits of humankind who believe in man's potential for a greater goodness if just given the opportunity.

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