WILKES BARRE, Penn.-The radio ad opens with Mariachi music in the background, while the narrator bashes Congressman Paul Kanjorski on his stance on immigration; a product of a national anti-immigration group, called Team America.

LATHAM, N.Y.-Sunmark Federal Credit Union has introduced a program designed to assist its members in reducing fuel costs, while also creating dialogue between the members.

MasterCard Launches Savings

WASHINGTON-The government is moving closer to implementing a plan to guarantee 2 million to 3 million at-risk mortgages in return for an agreement from lenders to engage in systematic loan modifications.

Three-Fourths of American Households Are Banking Online

Becker: CUs A 'Beacon Of Hope'

In the wake of the federal bailout:

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.-Pacific Service Credit Union is offering two online videos which provide information about deposit insurance, financial stability, and the benefits of credit union membership on its website.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-Does reading the news in the credit union community often make you want to sound off? Here's your chance to make a point and even blow off a little steam.

PORTLAND, Ore.-Just in time for the holidays-and the dive in Wall Street stocks-Unitus Community Credit Union is offering 16 $500 shopping sprees to help members through the difficult economy. The promotion, which selects eight winners on two separate occasions, is also aimed at helping drive growth at the credit union.

LAS VEGAS-With many CUs across the country awash in red ink, Nevada FCU is one of the bright spots with positive ROA and net income, despite its being located in one of the hardest hit states in the nation.

LAS VEGAS-Tourists are taking "staycations" rather than flocking to this gambling mecca in their usual numbers, resulting in layoffs at casinos, hotels and restaurants here in Glitter Gulch-and those layoffs strike at the heart of WestStar CU's field of membership-gaming industry employees.

LAS VEGAS-The last time Cumorah CU experienced delinquencies and foreclosures in large numbers, terrorists had wrecked the U.S. economy by highjacking planes and flying them into buildings.

TOLEDO, Ohio-A state appeals court reversed the conviction of one of five men involved in a string of credit union robberies that netted them almost $1 million.

RENO, Nev.-Many financial industry experts have spent recent months saying credit unions have an opportunity to grab market share during these troubled times, but public awareness of CUs' strength seems to be lagging-making Great Basin FCU's two-pronged marketing approach a standout.

SAN DIEGO-The greater difficulty of economic forecasting has only made it more difficult to run a credit union, according to Irene Oberbauer, CEO of the $4-billion San Diego County CU, who shared these thoughts on current management challenges.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-The region around the Golden State's capital continues to struggle with a fractured housing market, rising unemployment and myriad other woes, and the head of one of California's largest credit unions believes conditions are worsening.

PASADENA, Calif.-The process of running a credit union is significantly more complex and time-consuming these days, thanks to a sharply increased need to monitor the overall economy.

SANTA ROSA, Calif.-Despite the big challenges facing credit unions, particularly those in housing bust markets like California, there is a real opportunity to hammer home the trust factor while building real loyalty, according to Brett Martinez, CEO of Redwood Credit Union.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio-Police are hunting for a woman who has robbed four financial institutions in recent days, three in the last week, including BMI FCU.