TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - When Tinker FCU here walked away from Symitar’s job-scheduling tool and went with an IBM solution instead, there were no hard feelings.

GLENDALE, Calif. - California Credit Union implemented Open Solutions’ IA System’s browser-based, customizable, paperless, end-to-end loan origination system, StreamLend Velocity. The $1-billion credit union said since implementing StreamLend Velocity, it reduced its average turnaround time on manual loan decisions from 2 hours to 4 minutes and automated decisions now take less than 30 seconds.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - VeriSign reported that more than 100 credit unions are now using the company’s services to protect their Internet sites with advanced security solutions. Among the most recent to sign on have been Michigan State University FCU, NIH FCU, University of Wisconsin CU and San Mateo CU, all of which have deployed VeriSign Extended Validation (EV) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates. The certificates provide members using high security browsers with instantly recognizable visible cues that help assure users they have reached a genuine web page.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. - The Credit Union Service Network (CUSN) and CO-OP Shared Branching are pleased to announce that they have partnered with EPL Inc. and MeridianLink to offer XPress Accounts to their subscriber credit unions.

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas - Cypress Software Systems LP announced record sales in 2007 with revenue growth of 40% and earnings increasing 117%. Those figures include 26 new customers signing 32 new contracts for the company’s automated loan decisioning software–Mark IV, BizMark and AppMark.

ELKHART, Ind. - INOVA FCU has selected Open Solutions Inc.’s The Complete Credit Union Solution: DNA, its latest release of its relational core data processing platform for credit unions. The $275-million INOVA FCU serves 32,000 members and has 12 branches across six states. The credit union cited OSI’s open architecture and .NET integration capabilities as key factors in its decision. INOVA will also implement Open Solutions’ full cView suite, Credit Card Module, Construction Loan Management, General Ledger, Fixed Assets, Accounts Payable, Real Time ATM Processing, Shared Branch Interface, e-Commerce Banker Consumer Suite, e-Commerce Banker Business Suite and Digital Document Systems.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - CU*Answers reported its cu.asterisk.com network of partners has now grown to five, four of which are CUSOs, including CU*Answers itself. Others include CU*NorthWest, CU*South, eDOC Innovations, and Xtend Inc. are all partners that have a vested interest in the future of credit unions. The company said all the partners share a belief that “through ownership and cooperation they can change the antiquated vendor/client model that exists today.” Two of the companies were formed using CU*Answers as a template.

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. - Does your credit union have a strategy for marketing to Hispanics? That may be your problem right there.

PLANO, Texas - Southwest Corporate FCU said it has significantly expanded its ability to offer end-to-end image exchange points by joining SVPCO, the electronic and check clearing business of The Clearing House Payments Company LLC. “By signing with SVPCO, Southwest Corporate is now a member of all major image exchange networks,” said Brad Ganey, VP-item processing.

ATLANTA - Even as several start-up banks that were targeting the Latino population have given up and started mainstreaming, a start-up CU in Georgia is looking to succeed where those banks failed.

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. - Seeking to better serve the Hispanic market? Expert Luz Lopez Urrutia had this advice:

CFSAA Payday Pundit Blog Taken Off The Internet

Filene Research Offers Web Page

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Between the sheer size of Generation Y and the array of electronic channels members of this generation use, credit unions will have to reinvent how they market products to this segment in order to remain relevant.

ROANOKE, Va. - Thirty-five years ago Richard Williams went to work for what was then N&W CU, serving employees of Norfolk & Western and operating out of an office in the basement of the sponsor’s building. Williams is now retiring as CEO from what is now Member One CU, having overseen growth to $330-million in assets, 15 branches and 160 employees. Below, Williams offers his insights as he steps down.

Survey: Wal-Mart Appeals To Hispanic Consumers

WASHINGTON - Five students from across the United States–three from Ohio, one from Philadelphia and one from Michigan–have been selected as the finalists in the Web-based video contest at www.KeepItInYourPants.org that offers a top prize of $5,000 for creating a public service announcement about the threat that “Debt Disease” poses to American consumers.

Credit Union City State Total Assets Total Assets Change (%)

TEMPE, Ariz. - The airline industry may be consolidating, but Continental FCU is branching out, starting with moving its headquarters from El Segundo, Calif. to this market. The credit union had long since outgrown its El Segundo facilities; it was time to do a thorough analysis to see where it made the most sense to locate the headquarters, according to CEO Tom Glatt.

ATLANTA - Turbulence in the airline industry is buffeting both its workforce and the credit unions that serve it.