SAN FRANCISCO - The regulatory compliance required by mortgages-not to mention the volumes of paperwork - is enough to put off many potential lenders.

BURBANK, Calif. - Lockheed Federal Credit Union faced a problem familiar to many CUs: members signed up for "free" online bill payment, but were not using the service.

SUNBURY, Penn. - Like many other credit union leaders, Kris Kauffman, CEO of Central Keystone Federal Credit Union, was forced each quarter to devote a significant amount of his time and energy to the 5300 Call Report for the NCUA.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration is rolling out several major reforms to make its loan programs more effective and its products easier to use.

Point West CU, Portland, Ore., announced that Mike Fletcher joined the Filene i3 class.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration posted record-breaking loan numbers again in FY 2007, setting new records for both the combined number and dollar volume of loans, and increased loans to small businesses in underserved areas by more than 5.5%.

WEST JORDAN, UTAH - Mountain America Credit Union turned to Hollywood as inspiration for its successful "Build Your Retirement" campaign that made the CU the place its members turned to for retirement planning.

PHOENIX - Arizona Federal Credit Union slashed the time needed to open a new member account to eight minutes from the previous 45 minutes, and with greater accuracy, resulting in both a reduction of expenses and happier members.

WILMINGTON, Del. - Chase Card Services and the University of Notre Dame announced the acceptance of blink-the firm's contactless card-at Notre Dame Stadium and the Joyce Center. Cardmembers will be able to use their Notre Dame Visa Card with blink at more than 60 concession stands throughout the campus.

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.

MANKATO, Minn. - Rather than hold its monthly chapter meeting, 66 members of the Southwestern Chapter of the Minnesota CU League helped to pack 18,576 meals for starving children around the world. As part of festivities surrounding International Credit Union Week and National Co-Op month, members of the chapter joined Kids Against Hunger in its fight to feed starving and malnourished children around the United States and world. The CU reps worked in teams to assemble the food packages, with person on the team responsible for completing one step of the meal packing process. Steps ranged from adding ingredients to the meal pack to sealing and boxing the pack for shipment. In addition to packing meals, credit unions and members of the Southwest Chapter donated $3,150 to Kids Against Hunger to cover the cost of the food and supplies. The chapter will continue raising funds to pay for the remaining costs that resulted from the large number of meals packed. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

In Business Las Vegas provided coverage of the divided support for the Credit Union Regulatory Improvement Act (CURIA), with banks lined up against it. The story outlined what CURIA would do, updated the number of congressional co-sponsors, and quoted Bob Arnould of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues on why credit unions are in need of the legislation. The story also included a statement from Bill Uffelman, president of the Nevada Bankers Association, who said, "We're opposed to the whole bill," he said. "There's nothing in it we like."

SAN FRANCISCO - The National Federation of CDCUs has raised more than $8 million towards its goal of $25 million in new funds to make capital investments in its community development credit unions.

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. - Many financial institutions offer interest rate discounts on loans, but Red Rocks Credit Union developed a program that keeps the credit union fresh in its members' minds via an annual rebate check.

Given today's volatile rate environment and the potential for greater interest-rate risk associated with growth in real-estate loans, it's likely your credit union's asset/liability management (ALM) planning processes will be a focus of your examiners. While on the surface, such a focus may seem stressful and burdensome, it's actually beneficial, as good ALM practices are critical to successful business decisions.

RICHMOND, Va. - Like the caped crusaders (also known as the marketing and business development team members at Call FCU) who helped create it, only iDude was heroic enough to answer the call to duty as this credit union's mascot.

LANSING, Mich. - Nu Union CU has introduced a high-rate checking account that also offers free ATMs for members who use the credit union's electronic services.

Resolving problems builds loyalty, right? False! False!! False!!! Nothing erodes loyalty more than experiencing a perceived problem or error in the financial and health care industries.

Asked of attendees at CUDL's Annual Meeting In Las Vegas

There's a lot of talk about branding in credit union circles these days. That's because there's a lot of pressure on growth in the financial services industry. The end of the mortgage boom has everyone from banks to mortgage companies scrambling for dollars. And they're throwing around cash, cruises, award points and more in an effort to grab new accounts. Credit unions are fighting for growth in assets and membership in what might be the most competitive marketplace in decades.