SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Redwood Credit Union here has earned a Top Commercial Real Estate Projects of 2007 award from the North Bay Business Journal. The award recognized the credit union for “Green Reuse,” or taking an existing commercial building and remodeling it to be environmentally responsible. (c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

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

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine’s credit unions plan to grow their statewide marketing campaign featuring the “I Save” tagline to a statewide audience this year. TV ads have begun running in the state’s largest markets Bangor, Portland and Presque Isle. A total of 3,000 more commercials are planned for 2008 over the number that ran in 2007. The credit union commercials will run during the broadcast of the state high school basketball championship, one of the most popular local televised events. The average viewer will see the commercials more than 20 times during the tournament. Also new to this year’s campaign is a message that will scroll across each television advertisement, encouraging consumers to text message “ATM at 22700” to receive tips on saving money through using a Maine Credit Union. The Maine CU League, which has organized the effort, has budgeted $800,000 for the two-year campaign. New sponsorships for 2008 will include the Lobster Festival in Rockland and Aroostook County’s Bluegrass Festival, (c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

WASHINGTON - In conjunction with the crowds of credit unionists to be in town for CUNA’s GAC in early March, Credit Union Development Educators (DE) will be spending a morning helping to pack meals for the hungry.

WICHITA, Kansas - One CUNA board member said she is living proof that the representation of women among the credit union movement’s national boards is growing.

Neighbors Credit Union, St. Louis, named John Servos CEO.

RESTON, Va. - Student loan giant Sallie Mae said it has agreed to terminate its claim to a $900-million break-up fee for its failed takeover in exchange for refinancing from some of the same banks that jilted it. Under the deal, Sallie Mae will terminate its suit against Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and private equity firm J.C. Flowers & Co. in exchange for a $31 billion financing commitment from a group of banks headed by Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase. This financing will replace the $30-billion interim financing for the cash-strapped student lender that was put in place by Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase as part of the proposed merger transaction.

Events

Melissa Marquez, CEO of Genesse Co-Op FCU in Rochester, N.Y., and member of the board of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions:

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Dr. Geoffrey Nicholson, former executive of 3M Corp., will be the keynote speaker for the Fifth Annual Police Officer’s Credit Union Conference in May. Nicholson was instrumental in the development of the business of 3M’s Post-it Notes and the subsequent line of Post-it products. Nicholson will lead the attendees–a group comprised of executives and board members of CUs serving the law-enforcement community–in a discussion on cultivating innovation in their organizations.

I was impressed with the courage the Credit Union Journal showed in printing the recent article related to diversity at the very top levels of the U.S. credit union movement.

Strategic planning is a process that should guide your credit union toward your desired future–or it can be an exercise in futility that drains valuable resources, time and efforts.

With credit unions nationwide incurring high costs for new branches, facing increasing competition, and anticipating impending margin compression, there is a greater premium than ever on maximizing branch sales.

Not surprisingly, Jim This has found a common theme among the credit unions and boards with which he often consults: what to do about the ongoing margin compression.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A jury last week convicted an 18-year-old Fort Mill man for his role in a plot to detonate two pipe bombs at a Charlotte school to divert police so he and his father could rob a Founders FCU branch.

FAIRFAX CITY, Va. – A masked man robbed an armored truck at gunpoint as the guard was preparing to replenish a Navy FCU ATM here Friday.

GLENDALE, Calif. – California CU on Friday said in recognition of its 75th anniversary, it is increasing the number of $1,000 college scholarships it will award this year to 75.

LIVONIA, Mich. – Community Choice CU last week announced it is moving its headquarters to nearby Farmington Hills, where it has purchased the former Citizens Republic Bancorp office.

PORT NECHES, Texas – Members of MCT CU are voting whether to convert from federal deposit insurance to private insurance under the banner of ASI Inc., of Dublin, Ohio.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Mazuma CU is offering a local small business owner $3,000 in marketing assistance as part of a new contest to attract member businesses.