ODESSA, Texas - In a scenario reminiscent of previous battles over credit union conversions, employees of First Basin Credit Union turned out in large numbers to help three volunteer directors reclaim their seats in an election held at last night’s annual meeting.

At press time, the number of co-sponsors on the CURIA bill. 218 are needed to have a majority. (c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - Get ready to go home armed with three actionable items for member growth and profit improvement through payment systems.

MADISION, Wisc. - Credit unions are losing out on opportunities if they don’t address their generation gap, reports CUNA Mutual.

Elan Signs Up Four CU Clients

Just 21 Days Left To Grow Your Credit Union!

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.–A four-year legal battle appeared near an end last week, when the administration of Gov. Rod Blagojevich agreed to give back millions of dollars it raided from segregated trust funds for credit unions, banks and thrifts, in order to be able to use as much as $50.5 million of the funds for the state’s general operating expenses.

MANCHESTER, N.H. - A red carpet premier at a local historic theater is planned for a video now being created as a salute to the 100th anniversary of credit unions.

APRIL

Let’s face it. Some credit union CEOs just produce a lot of gas. Hot air. Bluster. Bravado. But mostly, gas. They’re not alone. Their management teams and their boards are, well, gassy, too. Indeed, their entire credit union is one big gas bag.

The Missoulian shared the story of the modest roots of Whitefish, Mont.-based Whitefish CU and how five railroad workers during the Great Depression pooled $25 to get WCU founded.

Malware writers continue to find new and inventive ways to infiltrate credit union computer networks and get past traditional security systems that were designed to stop them. Over the last year we’ve witnessed cyber criminals direct their efforts on a specific target with the primary goal of financial gain. What was once only an annoyance has morphed into a multi-billion dollar global enterprise. Not surprisingly, the characteristics of this new breed of malware involve a far more sophisticated approach that is not easily stopped.

INDIANAPOLIS - Eli Lily FCU’s CUSO has opened an in-house advertising agency called “The Greener Side.”

MADISON, Wis. - In market in which the only thing increasing is expenses and competition and the only thing shrinking is margins, credit unions have no choice but to trust each other and collaborate to survive, according to a new report released by the Filene Research Institute.

Dispelling all thoughts of fairness and equity existing in Washington evaporated with the announcement of this “reform” plan. Perhaps it should be renamed the “let’s see if we can get the suckers [the public] to pay for more bank failures.” Did you and I forget the “Savings and Loan Mess” of the 80s?

With membership growth hovering barely above 1% and more competitors vying for consumers’ wallet share, attracting new members is an important but formidable goal for credit unions today. For those willing to make targeted, strategic investments to attract prospective members, the Gen Y market represents a prime growth opportunity.

WASHINGTON - Five weeks after being promised a Senate version of CURIA–the CU Regulatory Improvements Act–the CU lobby still is waiting for the bill, as a second shoe to drop.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - CU Journal gives readers the opportunity to weigh in on a variety of issues. To add your two cents or see past surveys, visit www.cujournal.com.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The NCUA Board next week is expected to approve the unusual combination of a credit union with a mutual savings bank.

WASHINGTON - Chances of the Senate confirming a successor to NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson are dwindling as the nomination of Michael Fryzel continues to languish before the Senate Banking Committee, four months after it was sent there by President Bush.