WASHINGTON – NAFCU and online security provider Digital Defense are inviting credit union security professionals to compete in the first Credit Union Extreme Hacker Challenge that will highlight new and emerging security measures during NAFCU’s annual Technology and Security Conference in Las Vegas next month.

MADISON, Wis. – Credit unions trying to market to low- and moderate income families tend to use a limited range of metaphorical imagery in their advertising campaigns, according to a new study produced by the Filene Research Institute.

ST. LOUIS – The head of a mortgage fraud ring that scammed 21 credit unions and banks was sentenced yesterday to 44 months in prison and ordered to pay almost $600,000 in restitution.

MINNEAPOLIS – Wolters Kluwer Financial Services will announce this morning the launch of a new system that will allow its credit union and bank customers to offer online enrollment for Health Savings Accounts.

ATLANTA – Credit bureau Equifax Inc. said yesterday it is partnering with uMonitor to help credit unions and banks improve existing account opening practices and expand online channels.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Denali Alaskan FCU said yesterday it has installed Hyland Software’s OnBase image capture and remote delivery of deposits.

CONCORD, N.H. – The state House yesterday approved a 36% ceiling on payday loans, which is expected to force payday loan companies out of the state if it reaches final passage. The bill must still be approved by the state Senate.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The state Department of Financial Institutions said yesterday it has approved state chartered credit unions to own and to hold shares of Visa Inc. they are about to receive as part of the card giant’s reorganization and initial public offering.

FT. MYERS, Fla. – Norlarco CU has been removed from at least half a dozen investor suits, helping clear the way for the sale of the failed credit union by NCUA.

NAPLES, Fla. – A member of Suncoast Schools FCU was arrested after he bounced a $50,000 check deputies said he stole from his grandmother.

WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans lost another one of their leaders yesterday when Rep. Richard Baker, the lading critic of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, said he is resigning his seat to become president and CEO of the Managed Funds Association, a leading hedge fund lobby group.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Housing Finance Board approved a request by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco yesterday that will allow the bank to provide $10 million to help troubled homeowners refinance their mortgage through credit union and bank members.

FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines FCU said yesterday it has signed with Integrated Media Management to implement the company’s TotaleAtlas document preparation and electronic signature capture system.

BURBANK, Calif. – Lockheed FCU announced yesterday it has started its own 501 ( c ) charitable organization which will be able to accept tax-deductible donations from members and outsiders to help finance community activities.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – SECNY FCU, deep in the heart of the snowbelt, has incorporated what it calls the first all-enclosed drive-thru teller lanes and ATM in America into its renovated building.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – UT FCU became the latest credit union to graduate from its education base and matriculate to a community charter when it was approved by NCUA to serve almost 700,000 residents in five surrounding counties.

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Belco Community CU is putting its money where its member service is–offering to pay members when their service reps violate the credit union’s new Gold Star Service Pledge.

MADISON, Wis. – In a test-case long in the planning, Community First CU filed suit in federal court here yesterday challenging the Internal Revenue Services assessment of the unrelated business income tax.

MADISON, Wis. – A sophisticated telephone scheme that is draining funds from home equity lines of credit is spreading rapidly and has hit at least 18 credit unions in recent days, with losses mounting to more than $6.5 million.

CALABASAS, Calif. – An administrative issue between Digital Insight and its domain provider Network Solutions shut down the Internet domains at hundreds of DI’s credit union and bank customers yesterday, stopping online banking functions for hours at those institutions.