APRIL

PORTLAND, Ore. - The recent field of membership restrictions passed in Kansas point up the importance of credit unions establishing strong relationships with politicians even before the bank lobby can bring up such a vital issue–and that’s why Oregon’s credit unions are watching one statewide election with baited breath.

The rule is simple. An exceptional member experience may not necessarily happen as a result of happy employees; but creating a sustained, exceptional member experience is virtually impossible with unhappy employees. That’s why building an exceptional member experience begins with building a great employee experience.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - NCUA has thrown out last September’s vote by members of Northeast Community CU to merge into nearby Haverhill Bank and ordered the vote be conducted again under its process to convert a credit union into a mutual savings bank.

The San Mateo County Times published a piece on start-up Community Trust CU in East Palo Alto, Calif., a low-income area in which there is just one other bank branch. The story offered insights from John Liotti, the president of Northern California Urban Development and an activist who helped found the CU, talked of how it has grown to 140 accounts since its December 2007 launch. Liotti noted the 2.5-square-mile East Palo Alto has 31,000 residents, who in turn have 14 check-cashing outlets to choose from.

WASHINGTON - CUNA said it continued last month to cultivate the next generation of lawmakers, with campaign contributions to five candidates for open House seats.

WASHINGTON - The role of anti-regulatory, free-marketer on the House Financial Services Committee has apparently been passed to Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling, who has been called the “Dr. No” of the banking panel.

San Antonio Federal Credit Union, Texas, promoted Amber Allen to assistant vice president and manager of its Northwest branch.

TALLAHASEE, Fla. - Sharon Whiddon, a long-time fixture among state regulators, said she is retiring as state credit union supervisor on June 30.

HONOLULU - A cunning bandit who dressed as everything from a nurse to a wounded soldier to rob 11 island institutions–including the same branch of Hickam FCU three times–will wear the orange jumpsuit of a federal prisoner for the next seven-and-a-half years.

LAWRENCE, Mass. - A failed indirect loan program is being blamed for a disastrous 2007 for Lawrence Firefighters FCU, forcing the 50-year-old credit union into the arms of the regulators.

WASHINGTON - One of the largest student-run credit unions in the country has worked to turn itself around after getting a lesson in Competition 101 from a local bank.

VISTA LAKES, Fla. - Fairwinds CU continued its frenzied pace of expansion, opening its fifth new branch of the year here, and plans to open four more by the end of the year.

WASHINGTON - While most CUs have trouble retaining tellers, Georgetown University Alumni & Student FCU has had a 98% teller retention rate for the last two years.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Between the economy, increasing branch networks and expansion deeper into cyber space, credit unions would be wise to review their insurance coverages, according to several analysts.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Check printer Deluxe Corp. yesterday reported a 22% drop in first quarter net income, which it attributed to the economic slowdown.

MADISON, Wis. – A new four-year contract between CUNA Mutual Group and its employees union includes a one-year moratorium on employee cutbacks in Madison, one of the big sticking points in previous contracts.

QUINCY, Mass. – Quincy CU yesterday said it has expended its relationship with Open Solutions and signed to install the company’s newest DNA version of “The Complete Credit Union Solution” core processing system.

McLEAN, Va. – Inflation fears pushed up long-term mortgage rates this week after being unchanged for three weeks, according to Freddie Mac.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Central Macomb Community CU is working with the state’s “Michigan Works” program to coach thousands of job-seekers on good interviewing skills and dress them for job interviews.