LAS VEGAS - In an effort to increase its awareness with the public in this rapidly growing city, Nevada Federal Credit Union recently launched a multi-media campaign that includes television commercials.

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CenCorp To Waive Fees In November

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

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.

Peter Duffy, the self-appointed expert on charter options, has spoken once again about the horrific limitations of the credit union charter. In the article "Outside Perspective: Takeovers Not Issue" that appeared in the Aug. 27 issue of the Credit Union Journal, he cites his usual array of statistics that indicate, at least in his for-profit world, the insignificance of credit unions in the financial service sector. According to Mr. Duffy, credit union growth is abysmal and, of course, he knows the cause - it's our outdated, onerous charter. But he doesn't stop there. No, he wants us to know who the culprit is - "the serious constraints upon the credit union business model are not being addressed by leadership."

Fort Myers, Fla. — Foreclosures in two local real estate developments continued to soar last month, complicating the resolution of three failed credit unions, as well dozens more that participated in loan pools related to the projects.

GERMANTOWN, Md. - The $200-million Mid-Atlantic FCU has issued a statement reinforcing that it not only continues to offer mortgage financing, it is doing jumbo loans at a time others are pulling back. The credit union noted that many members have no choice but to get a jumbo (loans of more than $417,000), as that is the standard price range for a home in its Montgomery County, Md. market. Mid-Atlantic has been in the mortgage business since 1994, and said it has worked to create a niche in the market as a lender without "junk fees." (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

Suspect Caught in Notre Dame FCU Phishing Scam

PHOENIX - Arizona State Credit Union is partnering with a nonprofit healthcare employer to offer its employees an alternative to payday lending.

Amy Crowe of Great Wisconsin Credit Union authored a column as part of the Wisconsin State Journal "What I Do" feature talking about her job as marketing assistant and, specifically, doing financial education in schools. "The most important thing is that I try to teach the students they have choices with their money and they need to make choices that are good for the situation they're in," Crowe wrote.

It's been a rough few weeks in the financial marketplace. The housing sector seems to be crumbling (especially the subprime market), financial stocks are bouncing around, the bond market has seized up and investors are besieged with fear. With new worries over a coming credit crisis, no wonder it looks to many like we're headed for a complete market meltdown.

During the recent National Directors Conference I presented a lot of data and analysis in a very short period of time and perhaps this made for a lack of clarity in your Aug. 27 report.

The headlines tell us that thousands of families across the nation are headed to foreclosure each month- some parts of the country are hit harder than others. Why is this happening now and how could credit unions be an important part of the solution?

Peter Duffy, the self-appointed expert on charter options, has spoken once again about the horrific limitations of the credit union charter. In the article "Outside Perspective: Takeovers Not Issue" that appeared in the Aug. 27 issue of the Credit Union Journal, he cites his usual array of statistics that indicate, at least in his for-profit world, the insignificance of credit unions in the financial service sector. According to Mr. Duffy, credit union growth is abysmal and, of course, he knows the cause - it's our outdated, onerous charter. But he doesn't stop there. No, he wants us to know who the culprit is - "the serious constraints upon the credit union business model are not being addressed by leadership."

The considerable turmoil in the credit markets this summer, especially with respect to residential mortgage-backed securities, has sent ripples virtually throughout every aspect of our economy and captured the full attention of the financial services industry, legislators, regulators and the world at large.

It is said that in polite company there are several things you don't bring up at dinner, chiefly politics and religion. If it's a dinner of credit union folks there's a third topic that comes around about as often and dependably as the meter reader that is also supposed to be taboo: "member vs. customer."

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. During TCUL’s Leadership Conference here Friday, Dick Ensweiler told the Credit Union Journal many of the CUs that have switched to community charters in recent years are more worried about competing with other CUs than competing with banks. Meanwhile, he noted, membership growth remains stagnant. “In Poland, Brazil and the Netherlands we see a common brand. Credit unions can promote the brand locally, but it has a national impact because people understand the logo and understand what a credit union is,” said Ensweiler, who also serves as the chairman of CUNA’s national membership task force.

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. Dick Ensweiler told the Credit Union Journal many of the CUs that have switched to community charters in recent years are more worried about competing with other CUs than competing with banks. Meanwhile, he noted, membership growth remains stagnant. “In Poland, Brazil and the Netherlands we see a common brand. Credit unions can promote the brand locally, but it has a national impact because people understand the logo and understand what a credit union is,” said Ensweiler, who also serves as the chairman of CUNA’s national membership task force. Ensweiler was attending TCUL's Leadership Conference here.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. – Bellco CU said it has implemented the Fuze Suite of contact management. The Fuze Suite captures every interaction with members to give staff access to the historical insight they need to respond more effectively and better support relationships with members. The Fuze Suite is being offered to credit unions through Open Technology Solutions, a CUSO owned by the $1.6 billion credit union, Bethpage FCU and First Tech CU.