CLATSKANIE, Ore.-The $110-million Wauna Federal Credit Union found a creative way to express the credit union difference. In this newspaper ad, it takes advantage of plunging bank fortunes to note its stock remains as valuable as ever, and that it continues to grow. In text at the bottom of the ad it adds, "Wauna Federal Credit Union is a cooperative financial institution and does not have stock traded on Wall Street."

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Carolina Postal Credit Union here is changing its marketing message in response to the concerns in a market that is home to failed banking giant Wachovia.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.-Strategies put in place in recent years by Purdue Employees FCU here to prepare for economic distress are now paying off, the credit union reported.

ERIE, Pa.-The upheaval in the financial markets has seemingly reached into every corner of the country. Yet the 31,000-member Erie Federal Credit Union said it's not doing much of anything different in response, as the economic issues really haven't had much bearing on its northern Pennsylvania market.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-Some people may not know "Jack" about finance. Members Credit Union is looking to change that.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-Credit unions are not immune to the economic malaise, yet one CU here sees an opportunity.

LAS VEGAS-The rest of the mortgage market finally appears to see the value in the long-time credit union model: writing loans that are best for the borrower, not best for the profit of the lender.

LAS VEGAS-Cutting through the seemingly endless tide of bad news in the financial world: some CUs are having success in booking mortgages. In some cases, credit unions are taking advantage of the turmoil that has engulfed their erstwhile competitors, such as WaMu and IndyMac.

NEW YORK-JPMorgan Chase's announcement that it and First Data are breaking up their Chase Paymentech Solutions joint venture could signal JPMorgan's intent to expand its focus on merchant acquiring and processing side of its cards operations, according to Credit Union Journal sister publication American Banker.

BOSTON-NeoSaej, a developer of online auction marketplaces, has rolled out MoneyAisle.com, "the first and only website where banks competitively bid for customers through live, secure auctions."

NEW YORK-Sales of ATMs in the U.S. in 2008 have not seen the kind of declines many had predicted as a result of a slowing economy.

COLUMBUS, Ohio-BMI FCU here has opened a new headquarters that seeks to take the intangible concept of member service and turn it into something visible.

PINCONNING, Mich.-United Bay Community Credit Union has broken ground on the site of its new full-service branch here.

RIO LINDA, Calif.-SAFE Credit Union re-opened its student-run branch on the campus of Rio Linda High School. A group of 12 students run the day-to-day operations, including a busy campus lunch period.

FRANKFORT, Ky.-A grand-opening ceremony was held at Commonwealth CU's new facility in the Meijer Shopping Center.

AUSTIN, Texas-Consumers have become increasingly spooked about the health of their financial institutions, and Amplify Federal Credit Union recently had a scare of its own as a number of depositors withdrew large amounts of cash, some on the order of tens of thousands of dollars. This despite the fact Amplify's solvency was never in question; instead, said SVP-retail Pierre Cardenas, many members did not understand the CU's federal deposit insurance and made erratic moves with their money.

ATLANTA-As upheaval in the financial markets is causing ever-greater consolidation among even the largest of banks, there are increasing opportunities for credit unions snap up former bank locations-but is that the right way to go?

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Unity One FCU's downtown branch moved to the skywalk level of Galtier Plaza. The move was commemorated with an open house and an official ribbon cutting. The new branch boasts a state-of-the-art security system, plasma screen televisions, and a seating area with shelving to display local artists' work.

ATLANTA-With former bank branches increasingly available for purchase, there are opportunities for smart buyers, according to Will Klein, senior consultant, and Rebecca Butler, consultant, with KDA.

ST. LOUIS-Beware the "albatross" when purchasing a branch from another institution, cautions Kevin Blair, CEO of NewGround here.