HOUSTON – Cardtronics, Inc., a provider of electronic funds services to credit unions, yesterday reported losses continued to grow in its first quarter, to $4.6 million, up from losses of $3.5 million for the same period last year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The move to reign in payday lenders continues to spread, with the Ohio House this week approving a bill that would set the maximum allowable interest rate on payday and title loans in the state at 28%.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A man carrying a bottle of flammable liquid walked into a branch of South Carolina FCU yesterday morning and poured some of the liquid on the floor before demanding money.

PLEASANTON, Calif. – Regulators are working to resolve severe financial problems at Sterlent CU, a one-time $125 million credit union that has been pushed to the brink of insolvency by troubled mortgages.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State regulators said yesterday they have received requests from two more troubled credit unions to merge into larger institutions.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – A man suspected of twice robbing a People Community CU branch, including a holdup Monday, on Tuesday turned himself in to police.

LIVE OAK, Texas – Randolph-Brooks FCU yesterday said it has renewed its agreement with PULSE EFT for ATM and debit transactions.

DES MOINES, Iowa – TMG Financial Services, an affiliate of the Iowa CU League, said it has acquired four more credit card portfolios from credit unions.

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Aldenville CU has asked state regulators for permission to close two underperforming branches.

LAKELAND, Fla. – MidFlorida FCU yesterday said it has acquired two in-town branches from Wachovia, which recently closed them both.

CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire House yesterday approved a 36% maximum rate on payday and title loans, sending the bill to Governor Lynch, who said he will sign it into law.

CHICAGO – The troubled Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago yesterday reported a first quarter loss of $78 million as it continues to struggle through the mortgage crisis.

ATLANTA – S1 Corp. said earnings rose 15% for the first quarter, pushing earnings up 75%, to $5.2 million, or nine cents a share.

CHANTILLY, Va. – Online Resources Corp. yesterday reported it trimmed its first quarter losses to $3.6 million, or 12 cents a share.

MONETT, Mo. – Jack Henry & Associates reported slightly higher earnings for its fiscal third quarter – $26.6 million, or 30 cents a share, up 1% for the same period last year.

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A man believed to have held up City County CU last Friday was captured just 90 minutes later in nearby Hollywood with $4,200 in $100 bills he apparently stole from the credit union.

SAGINAW, Mich. – The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has applied to NCUA to charter a new federal credit union.

PHOENIX – Seven area high school students received awards totaling $22,000 at the Desert Schools FCU Community Service Scholarship Awards ceremony last week.

ST. HELENS, Ore. – St. Helens Community FCU announced it has promoted Jeff Schwartz, its chief financial officer, to president and CEO.

HARRISBURG, Penn. – Belco Community CU has introduced a savings account to help pet owners save for medical and other expenses.