WASHINGTON - A bill introduced in the Senate would give retailers immunity from antitrust laws to allow them to negotiate bilateral agreements with credit card companies on interchange fees, setting up a federal panel to oversee the negotiating process.

Nevada Federal Credit Union, Las Vegas, elected to its board: Mike Lantz, chairman; Mark Ferrario, vice chairman; Maj. Gen. Billy McCoy, secretary/treasurer, Vince Eckelkamp and Dennis Shipley.

PHOENIX - In this city, where the housing market has taken a serious downturn, one credit union says there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that Hispanics are suffering.

MESA, Ariz. - A local man, an illegal immigrant, was arrested for allegedly buying three houses and two vehicles with loans for $787,000 obtained from a stolen Social Security number.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.–It's time to break out the beach chair and settle in for a good read, so Credit Union Journal asked CU executives: name one book you plan to read this summer and why? What one book would you suggest others read this summer? The result is the inaugural edition of the CUJ Book Club. Read on to see what your peers are reading.

PHILADELPHIA – A man believed to have robbed five area credit unions and banks in recent weeks apparently struck again yesterday at a Wachovia Bank branch.

INDIANAPOLIS – Eli Lilly FCU yesterday said it has signed with Aprimo, Inc., to provide it with its Professional Marketing Resource Management centralized marketing system.

CHUBBUCK, Idaho – Idaho Central CU announced it has signed a five-year contract to convert its 40,000 signature/PIN debit accounts and responsibility for driving its 21 ATMs to PSCU Financial Services.

EUGENE, Ore. – LANECO FCU is hunting for its charter members to help in the celebration of the $18 million credit union’s 50th anniversary.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Employees FCU said it plans to open a new student-run branch in Harrison High School this fall, one of two in-school branches planned.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Option 1 CU said it is teaming with United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan to make it easier for people with disabilities to buy computers and equipment to work from home for an employer, or to start a home-based business.

McLEAN, Va. – Long-term mortgage rates this week jumped to their highest levels in almost eight months, according to Freddie Mac.

NAPANOCH, N.Y. – Eastern New York FCU was approved to serve all state and local government employees in nine surrounding counties, a so-called TIP, or trade, industrywide or professionwide charter, NCUA reported yesterday.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Devastating floods that knocked down bridges and collapsed levees and earthen dams have closed more than 20 CUs across this state. And more credit union doors are expected to shut as flood waters continue to rise, according to the Iowa CU League.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – NCUA yesterday said it approved the mergers of more ailing credit unions – in many cases allowing large credit unions to expand their footprints.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – NCUA yesterday said it cleared Mattel FCU to operate branches under different names, after those of the giant toy maker’s other operating subsidiaries.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Area Teachers’ CU awarded $47,500 for future teachers during the 2008-2009 school term.

BEAVERTON, Ore. – Credit unions in Oregon and Washington completed their two-year commitment to raise $1 million to finance a professorship in pediatrics at the Oregon Health & Science University.

CHICAGO – Digital Dialogue yesterday said it has signed a 10-year contract with Financial Service Centers Cooperative to provider call center services to the CUSO’s shared branching network.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – In another case exposing the risks posed by credit unions’ growing business lending, Long Drive LLC, which is building a local residential development, last week filed for bankruptcy owing Columbia CU $1.6 million.