ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The NCUA Board in closed meeting yesterday approved an emergency program that will help the strapped corporate credit unions by guaranteeing new unsecured debt they issue,a key source of liquidity for many corporates.

BELLINGHAM, Wash.– Whatcom Educational CU said it made its annual social responsibility grants to local non-profits, a total of $12,450 this year.

BURBANK, Calif. – Lockheed FCU said it has implemented Avaya’s Virtual Observer Call Recording system that enables members to engage in Live Chat with member service reps.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In an effort to help bewildered members, Members CU is reaching out with a live blog to explain the ongoing financial crisis to tank-and-file members.

PLAINWELL, Mich. – The former general manager of Plainwell Community FCU was indicted yesterday on federal charges of bank fraud, embezzlement and money laundering for a phony loan scheme he allegedly used to siphon funds from the credit union.

WASHINGTON – NCUA examiners are working with corporate credit unions to determine how last week’s clarification of fair value accounting rules–known as mark-to-market–could ease the strain on corporate balance sheets of billions of dollars in troubled assets, just as the corporates are preparing their financial statements for the recently completed third quarter, according to several sources.

CLEVELAND – It turns out this home of the Rock Hall of Fame, knows how to roll as well.

ROGERS CITY, Mich. – A 66-year-old man was uninjured after he drove his pick-up truck through the front of the Onaway CU branch here Tuesday morning, putting a new meaning to the term "drive-thru".

PORTLAND, Ore. – First Tech CU said yesterday it has deployed Code Green Network’s CI-1500 Content Inspection Appliance to protect its network against data leakage.

DUBLIN, Calif. – Tech CU is inviting area residents and non-profit groups to submit ideas for a $3,000 community improvement grant in conjunction with the opening of its new branch here.

LOVELAND, Colo. – Addison Avenue FCU said yesterday it has chosen the family of an Iraq War veteran for home makeover valued at $20,000.

OXFORD, Conn. – Sikorsky Financial CU is developing a financial literacy course for students at Oxford High School, with the help of a $25,000 grant from the state Department of Education.

ADAMS, Mass. – Greylock FCU will hold their second annual Pumpkin Patch Hunt on Sunday, when the town’s kids ages 2-10 will be invited to hunt through magic pumpkins packed with treats.

LA PORTE, Ind. – Generations FCU has shut down at least two dozen Visa debit cards after members reported unauthorized charges on them of hundreds of dollars, most of them from out of state locations.

LOVES PARK, Ill. – The former cards services coordinator at Rock Valley FCU pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to stealing $1.1 million from the credit union over the past 15 years by manipulating the credit card balances of member accounts.

NORTH CANTON, Ohio – United Technologies Corp. announced it has withdrawn its offer to acquire ATM maker Diebold, which has languished for eight months as Diebold has fended off the overture.

NEW YORK – Shares of Discover Financial Services surged 11% yesterday after the company announced a multi-million dollar settlement with MasterCard and Visa over antitrust claims brought by Discover over the card giants one-time exclusionary clauses.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Topeka CU Foundation will donate a total of $10,500 to three local charities at its Benefactor’s Breakfast this morning.

SAN DIEGO – CU Lending Solutions announced yesterday it has signed with start-up Global Debt Network Automotive to expand credit unions’ offerings of subprime auto loans.

JACKSON, Mich. – EECU announced yesterday it has agreed to merge with Cascades CU, a $27 million credit union in nearby Michigan Center, to create a $110 million credit union serving almost 20,000 members.