ALEXANDRIA, Va. - While sinking mortgage numbers were the most glaring in the data released by NCUA for federally insured credit unions during the first quarter of the year (see related story, page 12), the data also shows:

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Patelco Credit Union was among several bidders for the assets of failed Cal State 9 Credit Union. NCUA Spokesperson John McKechnie said Patelco was chosen because of the financial suitability of the package it offered, and because Patelco presented the best opportunity to continue a high-level of credit union service to existing Cal State 9 members.

SAN FRANCISCO - Having been selected by NCUA to take over troubled Cal State 9 Credit Union, where members have been consistently withdrawing funds, Patelco Credit Union said one of its first tasks will be to restore “confidence.”

PORTLAND, Ore. - Credit card balances among CU members grew by nearly 10% at the end of the first quarter of 2008 over the same period one year earlier, while credit unions continue to gain strength in the overall card market.

Groundbreaking Video Now Online

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - More than 80 people representing 17 credit unions turned out for the Fifth Annual Police Officers’ Credit Union Conference here, the largest attendance in the show’s short history. Organizers said attendees rated the show a 4.64 out of a possible 5.

WASHINGTON - A trade group representing the payday lending industry criticized a proposal for “model payday loan alternatives,” saying if adopted the plan would eliminate not just payday lenders but many of the programs offered by credit unions, as well.

Southeast Offers Help With Plans

WASHINGTON - The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has issued updated guidance for examiners, financial institutions, and technology service providers to identify business continuity risks and evaluate controls and risk management practices for effective business continuity planning.

The Credit Union Journal is announcing its Call for Entries for its Best Practices awards. It's easy to enter!

So I’m bumming a ride on a late afternoon last week in Philadelphia with a couple of credit union execs who are giving me a lift back to the train station when the talk turns to member service and whether “today’s generation” is capable of delivering any level of service beyond mediocre.

You are the coach of your credit union. While this may seem like an overly simplistic analogy, the statement is true. Your effectiveness as a leader is directly related to you believing your role as a coach and subsequently understanding your coaching responsibilities.

JUNE

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Great leadership can be distilled down to seven key elements, and one leader implored credit unions never to settle for a leader with anything less than all seven.

NASCUS, the professional association of state credit union regulators, applauds CUNA Chairman Tom Dorety’s emphasis on the importance of capital reform in the “CUJ Q&A” feature of the May 19, 2008 edition of the Credit Union Journal.

SAN DIEGO - As the economy continues to be a hot topic, Credit Union Journal asked attendees of WesCorp’s recent Future Forum here, ‘What is your corporate doing to help your CU get through the economic slowdown?’

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Credit unions may not have made the mortgage mess, but they’re part of the clean-up crew, and that is giving them new power when dealing with government sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

PORTLAND, Ore. - This Fall OnPoint Community Credit Union is launching credit cards for the first time in its 75-year history.

MADISON, Wis. - Can the broader issue of “sustainability” in all aspects of life be woven into credit unions’ strategic thinking?

DENVER - Bellco CU, one of the largest state-chartered credit unions in the country, has filed suit against the Internal Revenue Service over the taxing agency’s practices for assessing Unrelated Business Income Taxes, or UBIT.