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 fair market value.

WASHINGTON – The mortgage bailout bill rapidly was becoming a catch-all rescue for every segment of the mortgage markets yesterday, as a multitude of interest groups were flooding Capitol Hill with their requests.

National Credit Union Administration Chairman Michael Fryzel is calling on Congress to ensure a credit union role in the massive mortgage bailout that is moving swiftly to a vote.

EL PASO, Texas – A 23-year-old illegal immigrant convicted of last year March’s armed robbery at Greater El Paso CU was sentenced to more than five years in prison last Tuesday – his birthday.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Unitus Community CU yesterday said it is collecting good used bicycles that will be refurbished and donated to low-income youth and adults.

HARRISBURG, Penn. – Mid-Atlantic Corporate FCU yesterday said it has signed with FIMAC Solutions LLC to market the company’s Risk Analytics ALM Model and Balance Sheet Manager software on a private label basis to its member credit unions.

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – First Community CU yesterday said it has introduced unembossed, flat-panel debit cards that will be issued immediately to members when they open personal checking accounts.

GALVESTON, Texas – The National CU Foundation has raised more than $60,000 in its Disaster Relief Fund 10 days after Hurricane Ike hit the Gulf Coast, as reports of financial need among credit union members and employees continue to grow.

TAMPA, Fla. – Credit unions whose operations have been affected by Hurricane Ike are being offered free disaster recovery services by PSCU Financial Services and Digital Dialogue.

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. – Shares in PHH Corp., mortgage bank to more than 1,000 credit unions, yesterday continued to suffer amidst worries over its relationship with Merrill Lynch.

DENVER – First Data Corp. on Friday said one of its lenders, an affiliate of Lehman Brothers, has turned down a request for funding under a revolving credit agreement.

WASHINGTON – New NCUA Chairman Michael Fryzel is calling on Congress to ensure a credit union role in the massive bailout of the mortgage markets that is moving swiftly to a vote.

WASHINGTON – Congress yesterday was negotiating to expand the huge government bailout of the mortgage markets by adding provisions to help distressed borrowers and foreign lenders with major investments in the U.S. markets, as well as several other measures, increasing the projected $700 billion cost of the plan.

WASHINGTON — Credit union leaders are lobbying Congress to ensure the massive government bailout of the mortgage industry includes the nation's corporate credit unions, which are dealing with huge portfolios of underwater mortgage-backed securities.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – iQ CU said it is on track to give nonprofits at least $277,000 through the iQ for Kids Foundation this year.

TYLER, Texas – Two brothers will stand trial starting today for a series of violent takeover-style armed robberies that hit as many as 15 Texas credit unions and banks for as much as $250,000.

LANSING, Mich. – A local woman is enjoying a brand new bedroom, courtesy of Michigan State University FCU’s annual ideal room makeover contest.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Sunmark FCU on Friday announced it will begin encouraging its members to take out home equity loans and use the money to pay for energy improvement products.

LAS VEGAS – Nevada FCU on Friday said it has deployed Integrated Media Management’s TotaleAtlas and TotaleReceipts document management products.

DENVER – A serial robber lost his wig and his cowboy hat and is suspected of suffering a head injury after two workers at Provenant FCU confronted him Friday he tried to rob his sixth institution since Aug. 14.