WASHINGTON – Consumers in the Washington-Baltimore metro area, and western Maryland, will be schooled on the benefits of credit union membership through a multi-media marketing campaign scheduled to hit the airwaves Monday titled, “What's In It For Me.” An interactive web site at WhatsInItForMe.org telling consumers how to find a credit union will be supplemented by more than 600 radio commercials during an eight-week media buy. Website traffic will be monitored and measured based on Google and Yahoo keyword searches in an effort to track results. Nearly 70 credit unions contributed to the Maryland/District of Columbia CU Association’s cooperative campaign, which is organizing the initiative. Target Media and JPL Productions, both of Harrisburg, Penn., developed the media strategy and designed the creative campaign elements.

SAN ANTONIO — The president and CEO of the Texas Credit Union League said CUs in the U.S. should follow the example of those in other countries by developing a cooperative, recognizable brand consumers will recognize.

HOUSTON — Cardtronics Inc., which has become the major provider of electronics funds transfer services for credit unions, said Friday it plans to raise as much as $300 million with an initial public offering.

WASHINGTON – The unfolding scandal in a southwest Florida land bust that has claimed three credit unions already is raising questions about credit unions' bid to expand their business lending powers under the CU Regulatory Improvements Act. The banking lobby was pointing last week to the growing Florida scandal as evidence that many credit unions are not equipped to conduct commercial lending, even as credit unions around the country are expanding their activity. “The unfolding situation, where tax-exempt credit unions around the nation invested in a Florida real estate scheme called “Millionaire University” is a wake-up call on an industry lobbying heavily to further expand their commercial lending powers,” said Camden Find, president of the Independent Community Bankers Association of America, which is lobbying against CURIA. “Many credit unions were involved in this out-of- state commercial loan scheme that was far removed from serving their common bond membership and that eventually may cost the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund millions of dollars in losses.” A spokesman for the American Bankers Association echoed his criticism. “Policymakers should view the developments in Florida like the flashing yellow lights at a railroad crossing. If you proceed, there is danger ahead. If you stay put, you are safe,” said Keith Leggett, senior economist at the ABA and a chief credit union nemesis, referring to a provision in CURIA which would raise the current cap on member business loans for credit unions. Credit union representatives cautioned against judging the entire credit union movement on the activities of the three failed credit unions, Colorado’s Norlarco CU, New Horizons Community FCU, and Michigan Huron River Area FCU. “In his statement, Camden Fine attempts to tar an entire industry for the unfortunate circumstances of just three credit unions,” said Fred Becker, president of NAFCU. “Based on the news accounts we’ve seen, if established in fact, we cannot condone this loan activity, either, and we look forward to a thorough investigation by the state regulators.”

ST. CHARLES, Ill. - A 22-year-old former teller at Corporate America Family CU pleaded guilty to plotting with her boyfriend to rob the CU in a heist that netted $38,250. Crystal Bass gave the cash to her boyfriend's roommate after telling the two how the credit union had been robbed before when a man "simply handed the teller a demand note." The 21-year-old boyfriend, Joshua Hreha, had decided to stage the robbery the day after the Memorial Day holiday, on June 1, 2006, because Bass expected the credit union to have more cash on hand at that time. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

DAYTON, Ohio - Wright-Patt CU is opening a new branch in Springfield next year, one of three new outlets planned. The other two will be in Beavercreek and in West Dayton. The $1.2-billion CU operates 18 branches. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

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.

DENVER - Colorado State Employees CU became the latest credit union to eliminate "state employees" from its name to focus on a broader membership base, becoming Credit Union of Colorado.

At press time, the number of co-sponsors on the CURIA bill. 217 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

GRANITE CITY, Ill. - A 24-year-old bank robber was convicted by a federal jury of robbing two credit unions of $60,000.

AUSTIN, Texas - University FCU is the latest credit union to join the Green Movement and plans to open its first environmentally friendly branch here. The $800-million credit union plans to use rainwater cisterns, to install solar panels to channel sunlight for energy and to use native plants that often need less water than non-indigenous species. The branch will be located on Ben White Boulevard, just east of Congress Avenue. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

AUGUSTA, Maine - Synergent, a CUSO operated by the Maine CU League, will distribute rebates totaling $500,000 to the League's 200 credit union members. The rebates are for fiscal year Aug. 1, 2006 through July 31, 2007. The size of each credit union's rebate is based on individual credit union sales, with some members receiving checks of as much as $20,000. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

MEQUON, Wis. - Mortgagebot has released its Benchmarks 2007 study, which is based on a comprehensive survey and analysis of the online lending practices and procedures that have been implemented at more than 3,600 mortgage-lending websites maintained by Mortgagebot for clients.

DENVER - Is one credit union playing it dirty with its newest advertising campaign? Or is all fair in the name of friendly competition?

D. Hilton Announces 2008 Survey

CenCorp To Waive Fees In November

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The FBI is looking for a man who allegedly threatened employees and customers at U.S. New Mexico FCU and Bank of America with bombs, the latter after he kidnapped two bystanders and attached fanny packs purported to be explosives to them to rob the bank.

Suspect Caught in Notre Dame FCU Phishing Scam

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Vermont State Employees Credit Union is dealing with some unexpected, and very negative, publicity after announcing the end of a nearly 50-year-old insurance product.

MADISON, Wis. - The oft-lamented lack of awareness of credit unions by young people is the target of the latest initiative from the Filene Research Institute-known as the "30 Under 30" Group.