Growth is fueled by the member experience. Research shows 10 tools can enhance that experience to build the highest loyalty and gain new members by referral.

WASHINGTON - Fourteen credit unions and affiliated organizations were awarded more than $5.6 million in funding last week from the Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions program, up slightly from last year's $5.3 million in awards.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Center for Community Self-Help, which operates the nation's most prominent community development credit union, was granted a charter by NCUA to develop a new federal credit union that will allow it to offer financial services in California and elsewhere outside its home state.

GLEN ROCK, N.J. - NCUA charged in federal court that former executives and directors of Peoples First Choice FCU siphoned millions of dollars from the one-time $25-million credit union, forcing it into the arms of the federal regulator amid a $5 million loss, one of the biggest losses in the country last year.

In Washington, Terrin Griffiths and Samuel Inman have joined the Credit Economics Group.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Insight Financial CU has removed its two top executives and named Richard Simonton, its CFO, as CEO. Lynn Owen III, former CEO, and former COO Jody Walls, are no longer with the financial institution, according to a statement.

HONOLULU - Aloha Airlines FCU, whose corporate sponsor filed for bankruptcy in March, was approved by NCUA for a so-called TIP charter allowing it to serve any and all air industry employees in Hawaii.

RANTOUL, Ill. - Specific employee training has helped a number of credit unions vastly improve their member penetration numbers when it comes to insurance sales. CUNA Mutual's lender development program is responsible for boosting sales numbers and increasing employee awareness of its life and disability insurance as well as its other products.

CARMEL, Ind. - While insurance products experts concur that getting insurance products out in front of the membership frequently and forcefully is absolutely critical, opinions differ on how to attract those members or potential members.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Financial institutions that stay true to their core values and deliver for their customers have the strongest brands, an analysis of all American banks and CUs revealed.

LAS VEGAS - Tough examiner scrutiny is no excuse for credit unions that fail to capitalize on a financial marketplace that has swung in their favor, thanks to the housing market collapse and the credit crunch, according to some analysts.

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LAS VEGAS - Tough examiner scrutiny is no excuse for credit unions that fail to capitalize on a financial marketplace that has swung in their favor, thanks to the housing market collapse and the credit crunch, according to some analysts.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Deluxe Corp. yesterday announced plans to shutter three manufacturing facilities and trim its workforce by 570 people as part of its cost-cutting efforts.

MICHIGAN CENTER, Mich. – The former chief financial officer for Cascades Community FCU on Wednesday was convicted of stealing $226,170 of credit union funds to cover his stock market losses.

LEWISBURG, Penn. – Town officials this week approved a plan by M-C FCU to redevelop part of the former La-Z-Boy furniture factory and showroom into a branch.

NORTH MEDFORD, Ore. – Rogue FCU yesterday broke ground on a new 14,000-square-foot service center that will house its mortgage and business loan officers, as well as investment and insurance representatives.

TAMPA, Fla. – Suncoast Schools FCU yesterday announced it has connected to the SVPCO Image Payments Network, one of three national electronic check and image networks.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA said federal credit unions can collect monthly rent from members, so-called locked box accounting services.