OCTOBER

ORANGE, Tex. - While all eyes are on Wall Street and the plan to bail out the financial industry, credit unions along the Texas Coast are still bailing out from the flood waters of Hurrican Ike.

In the newspaper business, the twist on the old cliché has always been, "When the going gets tough, the tough...start disputing the coverage." Readers are often right about that coverage, pointing out mistakes or editorial shortcomings. At other times newspapers are right about "shoot-the-messenger" syndrome and the emotions involved in what's being reported. But as is most often the case, what's really right is that the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle.

CINCINNATI - Classic FCU here is helping members "Restock the Fridge" after the remnants of Hurricane Ike swept through this state, knocking out power to more than a million homes.

WASHINGTON - As part of the bailout of the mortgage markets, the bankers are lobbying Congress to halt by the end of the month requirements that financial institutions mark the value of their holdings at the fair market value.

FORUM Credit Union, Indianapolis, Ind., promoted Andrew Spirrison and Chris Ferguson to regional managers of retail delivery and Brandon Speckman to senior branch manager.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The nation's largest credit unions continue to grow through mergers, with NCUA reporting it approved four more mergers involving credit unions over with more than $1 billion in assets.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Debunking popular "spend-to-save" banking promotions, Carolina Postal CU has set out to show members a better way to save money: the credit union way.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Credit unions looking to jump start credit card portfolios should focus on balance transfer and platinum upgrade promotions to drive revenue, according to one company reporting success doing just that.

The next five years are going to be a challenge leading to a rocking good time for the financial institution (FI) that is both focused on building market share and capable of taking advantage of the very real and very large growth opportunity presenting itself in most local markets.

WASHINGTON - The House voted to ban a variety of credit card practices, most of them targeted at low-income cardholders, but the credit union-opposed bill is sure to die from inaction in the Senate.

Unemployment at 5.5%. Gasoline prices out of control. Food costs enough to rip apart a grocery bag. Members facing layoffs and cutbacks in work hours who may be packing up and moving to other areas where jobs seem more plentiful. It's depressing to any credit union and to your members, as well.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The state commission in charge of student loans approved a $100 million deal by eight credit union to keep offering loans to students in Illinois.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - NCUA reported it granted two more so-called TIP charters (for tradewide, industrywide or professionwide) for the healthcare services industry.

TYLER, Texas - Two brothers are standing trial for a series of violent takeover-style armed robberies that hit as many as 15 Texas CUs and banks for as much as $250,000.

DENVER - A serial robber lost his wig and cowboy hat and is suspected of suffering a head injury after two workers at Provenant FCU confronted him when he tried to rob his sixth institution since Aug. 14. From the surveillance photos, the man-dubbed "Bank Robber Bob"-appears to be a well-dressed businessman. "Bob" left a trail of blood as he fled from the scene wearing cowboy boots, dark slacks, a blue shirt and tie, according to the FBI. "Bob" is suspected of robbing Premier Members CU on Aug. 26, as well as TCF Bank and First Bank and two branches of Wells Fargo.(c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved.http://www.cujournal.com/ http://www.sourcemedia.com/

DALLAS - A wide variety of views, insights and observations were offered by credit union leaders and other analysts during the 2008 ALM First Financial Advisors Financial Forum here. Among them:

MADISON, Wis. - CU leaders expect competitive pressures will only increase in the near future, but do not anticipate any changes in the regulatory structure or tax status that would have a negative effect.

SEATTLE - Capital reform has moved to the forefront of issues credit unions must get Congress to address, according to former NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - As collections becomes an increasingly challenging-and bigger-part of credit unions' business, some may find they need to turn to a third-party collections firm.