MADISON, Wis. - Two California-based companies have joined the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) as associate members, bringing the number of organizations to eight that function as non-voting associate members of the group. The new members: CO-OP Financial Services in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and Financial Service Centers Cooperative (FSCC) in San Dimas, Calif.

HONG KONG - Attendees at WOCCU?s World Forum here in Southern China ?traveled? to Africa courtesy of a video link to Kenya.

SAN ANTONIO - With its new “CU Fit” program, all Security Service FCU employees are eligible to receive a health club membership, packed with rewards-based activity incentives and online support, and SSFCU is picking up the tab.

HONG KONG - The World Council has presented its Distinguished Service Award.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Despite the ongoing shake-up of the federal student loan market, CU student loan experts suggest there are some important opportunities for credit unions in this arena and offered the following advice for those considering getting into the game:

SAN DIEGO - Ongoing deployments overseas are only increasing the challenge to credit unions serving the U.S. military in keeping the troops from making poor financial decisions. Still, most CUs have shown they are up to the task, according to Roland “Arty” Arteaga, director of the Defense CU Council. “There is an issue of financial readiness, which is also an issue of quality of life,” said Arteaga. “The constant deployments make it quite difficult for many troops to handle their finances, and when the troops come home we do urge their commanders to push financial education.” The goal is to keep the troops from being preyed upon by payday lenders. For CUs located on base, it’s a special challenge, said Arteaga, who praised the $72-million Geovista CU at Fort Stewart in Georgia for the job it has done serving the Third Infantry, which has been deployed three times. “My hat is off to these folks. They know that when the troops are coming home they are going to need that help.” (c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved.http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

Northstar Student Lender Sued

LOS ANGELES - With the federal student lending program in flux and the rising cost of tuition, private student lending has become a necessary bridge to students–and a lucrative opportunity for credit unions.

MIRAMAR, Fla. - Credit unions across the country are reporting losses for the first half of the year.

WASHINGTON - Determining how a credit union stands relative to its peers in terms of returning value to its members is a complex issue. Callahan & Associates, Washington, has attempted to do just that with its Return of the Member (ROM) ranking system.

A caption in the July 14 edition misidentified one of the people in the photo and the name of the credit union location. It should have read Community One FCU CEO J. Alan Pughes and board members host the Indian Cooperative Banks Delegation in Las Vegas.(c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved.http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

MADISON, Wis. - What do indirect auto lending and the federal student loan program have in common? A similar challenge: finding a way to turn those one-trick-pony members into fully engaged, participatory members.

TYLER, Texas – A branch manager for Beacon FCU this week was arrested and charged with stealing $18,000 from the branch.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA yesterday said federal charters are exempt from new laws and regulations enacted in Massachusetts to combat mortgage fraud.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Northeast CU yesterday said it signed with Pendum LLC to provide it with a comprehensive ATM solution featuring state-of-the-art equipment and supporting services.

HERNDON, Va. – Northwest FCU yesterday said it has contracted with fledgling iSekurity to offer the company’s identity theft protection and detection service to its members.

HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – The Perfect Circle CU has partnered with Keds shoe company to donate 528 pairs of girls’ shoes to United Way programs.

WOODSIDE, N.Y. – LOMTO FCU is separating itself from its downtown history with a plan to build a new headquarters in nearby Woodside.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – ESM-NS FCU contributed $100,000 to Home HeadQuarters, which will fund the group’s FlexFund Home Improvement Loan low-interest loan program for repairs or energy upgrades.

HINESVILLE, Ga. – Navy FCU, recently approved to serve the Army and Air Force, opened a new branch outside Fort Stewart, the credit union giant’s first at an Army base.