OCTOBER

RIVERSIDE, Calif.-Credit unions across the country are proactively responding to consumers nervous about the financial marketplace.

FT. MYERS, Fla.-The collapse in real estate values in three Florida Gulf Coast counties, bringing thousands of foreclosures and pushing dozens of credit unions and banks into the red, is being partially blamed on an ill-fated credit union-backed real estate scheme.

I feel great when someone tells me they implemented ideas they got from me and the result makes their lives better and their work easier.

Imagine this: you've made it to the Final Jeopardy round and game show host Alex Trebek unveils the final category question: Consumer Financial Concerns. You bet everything you have and would even bet the credit union's assets if you could, not even bothering to save that final $1 in the event your two fellow contestants are also wrong. And why not? You're a credit union professional well-versed in consumer finance who only grows more confident when Mr. Trebeck reveals the Final Jeopardy answer/question: "It's the No. 1 reason consumers are calling financial assistance/counseling hotlines in October 2008."

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to share my views through a respected publication, like Credit Union Journal, so I was pleased to see the piece I wrote regarding the likelihood of a Fed rate hike this year, which was published in the Oct. 6 edition.

SAN FRANCISCO-Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston urged mortgage lenders and servicers to be bold in using government programs to help borrowers avoid foreclosure.

CUSN Adds 2 Colo. Locations

The Weekly News featured a long story with photos on Black Hills FCU in South Dakota and its rapidly growing annual school drive. This year's effort distributed more than 50,000 school supplies to 38 schools, which in turn distributed them to 3,700 kids. The story quoted BHFCU Marketing Manager Carol Brown and CEO Roger Heacock.

Tournament To Raise Funds For Victims

In The November Elections:

TAMPA, Fla.-The third quarter was one of the worst periods ever for credit unions, as red ink washed over many of the biggest CUs in the country, some for the first time.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.-Sometimes, you really should sweat the small stuff.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Deluxe Corp. said yesterday that third quarter earnings plummeted by 57%, as it was hurt by the weakening economy and charges to close plants and cut jobs.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The National CU Foundation announced yesterday it has awarded Truliant FCU a $20,000 Innovation Grant to help it fund an entrepreneur education, credit counseling and strategic planning program for five underserved areas in North Carolina and Virginia.

PORTLAND, Me. – Maine credit unions made up this week with Chellie Pingree, the Democratic congressional candidate with an official endorsement by the Maine CU League, after an intensive campaign for Pingree’s opponent in the primary.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – CUNA reported yesterday it spent another $70,000 on independent radio ads and mailings to boost two candidates for House seats in the Midwest.

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration made clear yesterday what had been implied in recent weeks, that debt issued by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac is now explicitly guaranteed by the federal government.

McLEAN, Va. – Long-term mortgage rates dropped this week, after surging to year-long highs last week, according to Freddie Mac.

SUITLAND, Md. – A member of Andrews FCU was sentenced to a year in prison Wednesday for his role in an Internet scheme designed to steal $109,000 from his credit union.