In 2007 the Credit Union Journal introduced another tool to the credit union community: the ability to “vote” online on a hot, topical issue. At www.cujournal.com readers voted throughout the year on issues in the news: member borrowing habits, lending forecasts, legislative issues, and more. The poll is always insightful and sometimes humorous. It will remain a feature in 2008. Take a moment and vote in this week’s poll at www.cujournal.com.

Research has shown that without the proper understanding individuals often let financial institutions make choices for them. –Dr. Anthony Emerson

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Few regulatory initiatives have attracted as much opposition from within the credit union movement as NCUA’s efforts to bring more transparency to CU operations.

Throughout 2007, the Credit Union Journal is profiling the credit unions of each U.S. state and D.C. Rather than appear in alphabetical order, the states are being featured in the order they became states.

EL PASO, Texas -

DENVER - State regulators assumed control of Zion United Community CU Dec. 14, the third financially troubled Colorado credit union taken under conservatorship this year.

LIMA, Ohio - Superior Federal Credit Union’s newest marketing campaign came from an unlikely source–a group of high school students.

Credit Union Journal Subscribers can access all content from the print edition every Monday simultaneously with its publication at www.cujournal.com. Additional resources include:

CALGARY, Alberta - When operating in an area of conflict, Randy Spears knows the first step is to establish security and guard the perimeter. Only then can business proceed with any degree of seeming normality.

ANTIGO, Wis. - Since launch of a “Load ‘n Go” card in August, CoVantage Credit Union here reports it has signed up more than 100 members, with approximately 10-15 members being added each week.

WASHINGTON - The year started with an attempt by Think FCU, one of two-dozen former IBM employees credit unions, to convert to bank–the largest CU conversion ever.

The Federation has tentatively scheduled a two-day seminar on affordable mortgage lending in Durham, N.C. for the first quarter of 2008. For info: www.cdcu.coop, or contact Pamela Owens at powens cdcu.coop. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

JANUARY 2008

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. - Wings Financial FCU has long since rescinded its unsolicited merger mid for Continental FCU that began the year. But the two CUs are ending the year in agreement on at least one thing: the potential ramifications of what has been called the first-ever “hostile takeover” of a CU are still not fully known.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The majority of members served by state-chartered credit unions are low- and middle-income workers, according to a study released by the National Association of State CU Supervisors (NASCUS) last week.

RALEIGH, N.C. - It’s a bull market, if the continued growth of State Employees CUs Bridge Savings Account program is any indication.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - For an industry that largely avoided making the kinds of subprime, variable-rate loans that have left millions of homeowners in fear of foreclosure, 2007 will nonetheless be remembered as the year the credit union community took a huge hit due to failed real estate.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - 2007 wasn’t just a remarkable and dynamic year for credit unions–it was for the industry’s leading weekly newspaper, as well.

MADISON, Wis. - Expect to see several credit unions go up against the IRS in court over the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) as early as the first quarter of 2008.

MADISON, Wis. — With the national attention turned to problems in mortgages to low-income borrowers and a high number of foreclosures, a credit union-backed program aimed at that same market continues to have slow but steady success.