OREM, Utah – Family First FCU yesterday said it launched MortgageBot, an Internet-based solution that simplifies and streamlines the mortgage lending process for its members.

KENMORE, N.Y. – The former chief financial officer for Buffalo Fire Department FCU on Monday pleaded guilty to stealing $132,000 from the credit union.

RICHMOND, Va. – In the latest gas-pump relief effort, Virginia CU began offering members a rebate on gas purchases yesterday.

SAN FRANCISCO – In one of the biggest fire sales ever in the credit union industry, Patelco CU yesterday took control of two medium-size credit unions that have fallen victim to the area’s real estate crash: Cal State 9 CU and Sterlent CU.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Officials with Envision CU yesterday said they have been told a breach that forced them to reissue Visa credit and debit cards was the result of an electronic invasion of popular restaurant and gaming company Dave & Buster’s.

PLEASANTON, Calif. – NCUA said yesterday it has liquidated failed Sterlent CU and nearby Patelco CU has agreed to acquire the remnants of the one-time $125 million credit union.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A former worker at Progressive Teachers CU yesterday was sentenced to three months in prison and nine months of house arrest for stealing $91,000 from the credit union after a federal judge rejected a plea that the 64-year-old defendant was too old to go to jail.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.–Central Corporate CU yesterday said it will waive processing fees incurred by members during the months of July and November – about $1 million in fees for both months.

ABERDEEN, Md. – Aberdeen Proving Ground FCU is giving away four new Blackberry Pearl mobile phones to new subscribers to its mobile banking service who sign up this month.

BEL AIR, Md. – Fourteen Harford County high school seniors recently were awarded scholarships totaling $18,000 from HAR-CO Maryland FCU.

STROUDSBURG, Penn. – NE PA Community FCU yesterday said it has signed with SEDONA Corp. to install the company’s Intarsia member relationship management system.

BAY CITY, Mich. – FinancialEdge Community CU chose three students to participate in its “Financially Made” program, which encourages young people to develop and practice good financial habits.

ALBANY, N.Y. – SEFCU Insurance Agency, a wholly owned CUSO of SEFCU, yesterday said it has acquired Schoharie Valley Agencies Inc., expanding its reach in local markets.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A 19-year-old hacker suspected of infecting thousands of personal computers with malicious software that enabled him to tap into hundreds of credit union and bank accounts pleaded guilty to fraud Friday under a plea deal.

SAGINAW, Mich. – Team One CU was offering discounted gas prices at the local 7-Eleven here yesterday to give motorists a little break at the pumps before the Fourth of July holiday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Credit unions are calling on NCUA to adopt its proposed CUSO rule in order to broaden the types of activities credit union subsidiaries may engage in.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A local man who changed values on Social Security checks and gambled away the almost $58,000 he cheated from banks and credit unions on Friday was convicted in federal court in Detroit of bank fraud and altering U.S. Treasury instruments.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A former assistant vice president of loss prevention for South Jersey FCU, in Deftord Township, on Friday pleaded guilty to her scheme to defraud the credit union of up to $400,000.

HAMDEN, Conn. – Connex CU has stepped in to finance this town’s July 4th fireworks.

CHAMBERSBURG, Penn. – Patriot FCU dedicated a new full-service kiosk Friday near the Southgate Shopping Center as another step toward neighborhood revitalization.