WARWICK, R.I. - One unlucky member of Greenwood CU who lost a wad of cash containing $762 by the credit union ATM Dec. 15 may see a change of fortune this morning–if he bothers to check with the Warwick Police.

BizKid$ Set To Go In January

HAMILTON, Ontario - Seven employees of FirstOntario Credit Union who staged at sit-in at a branch of the CU in April during a strike, were arrested and later fired, have had the charges against them dropped (CU Journal, May 25). Those workers had entered a branch, locked themselves inside and padlocked a door. Police smashed open a door to gain entry to the branch. The employees had announced they would not leave until the credit union returned to the bargaining table. The workers, all members of Local 343 of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE), had already been on strike for six months over such issues related to sick pay, vacation and full-time positions before locking themselves in.

Congress Moves To Protect Forgiven Debt

CHICAGO - North Side Community FCU has no regrets about its newest venture aimed at serving the underbanked by offering citizenship loans to immigrants.

STCU, Springfield, Mass., named Roy Cargile loan officer of residential real estate financing and Nilza Cruz loan officer.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - In another new rule spurred by the continuing controversy over credit union conversions, NCUA passed a new regulation that will give the federal regulator enforcement power over federal credit union bylaws.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - NCUA followed-up its 2006 report on how credit unions serve their members with a series of meetings around the country to see how the federal regulator might respond to its findings.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Illinois Credit Union League President Dan Plauda recently marked his 30th year with the league. Credit Union Journal caught up with Plauda and asked him to reflect on some of the defining moments of his career.

WASHINGTON -

At press time, the number of co-sponsors on the CURIA bill. 217 are are needed to have a majority. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Oregon CUs have been working to help those hit by recent storms that ripped through the state.

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas - The Texas Credit Union League has just awarded the Juntos Avanzamos designation to Shell FCU in Deer Park. The designation signifies that the credit union has a long-term vision and commitment to serving the needs of its Hispanic market. While at the same time, this designation lets the Hispanic community know that they can receive friendly, affordable financial services at this “capacity to serve” or “Juntos Avanzamos” institution. Thus far, 10 Texas credit unions have earned the designation.

UltraData Achieves SCP Standard

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Authorities were hunting for a man who went up to the teller of Covenant Health FCU and placed what appeared to be a stick of dynamite on the counter and demanded money.

CENTENNIAL, Colo.–Dozens of the biggest credit unions are still racking up losses from the bankruptcy of Centrix Financial, which reeled in more than 300 credit unions to its subprime auto loan program.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The merger of Nationwide FCU and Nationwide Bank earlier this year has been completed and the average payout of some $2,000 to each member of the now-absorbed FCU helped damper any dissent from members or from the organized credit union movement.

NEW YORK - Reductions in the prime rate by the Federal Reserve are starting to show up in more attractive terms on credit cards. During October, the average Single/Go-to APR based on credit card solicitations was 12.51%, down from 12.94% in third quarter, according to data from Mail Monitor, a direct mail tracking service and a unit of market research company Synovate. The Single/Go-to APR is the rate that a card jumps to following its introductory or promotional rate period. “The 50 basis point reduction of the Prime Rate in September had an immediate impact on credit card offers,” said Andrew DavidsonVP-competitive tracking services for Synovate’s Financial Services Group. “Issuers began to promote lower rates but fixed them in anticipation of further cuts to the Prime Rate.”

PHILADELPHIA - Freedom Credit Union was given the “highest mark” of credit unions in the Delaware Valley during a TV news Broadcast by local CBS affiliate channel 3. As part of Reporter Jim Donovan’s story on findings by Consumers CHECKBOOK, the $325-million credit union was rated highest among 67 Delaware Valley banks and credit unions in providing quality customer/member service. According to survey results, people prefer a smaller credit union or bank with more personal service. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

NEW YORK - The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation) held a special gathering at its offices with a goal of identifying ways to fight poverty in this city. The meeting brought together CDCU leaders from New York City for a meeting with representatives of New York City’s Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS). During the meeting, OFE representatives spoke about the various programs and studies underway at the agency and requested feedback to increase CDCU involvement in the various initiatives, including expanded CDCU participation in the Earned Income Tax Credit program, development of a financial literacy database, both online and through the City’s 311 telephone information clearinghouse program, and CU service to participants in the city’s Work Rewards Program.