HARTFORD, Conn. - A man who schemed to steal subscriber information from America Online members, then used the information to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from bank and credit union accounts, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and identity theft charges.

SAN FRANCISCO - Patelco CU is offering free remittances on funds sent to Mexico through Sept. 30 to assist victims of Hurricane Dean. Patelco recently began offering a remittance program on which it typically charges a $7.50 flat fee per month; a savings or checking account is required. "When we learned that Hurricane Dean was causing major damage particularly in the smaller parts of Mexico, we decided to offer our new remittance product, free of charge, as a way to help our community-here and in Mexico," said Carol Highton, chief of strategic innovation. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

ELGIN, Ill. - Valley Bell CU is partnering with the state Treasurer's office to encourage green auto lending. Under the "Green Rewards Program," members who finance a new hybrid, electric or fuel cell vehicle purchase through the credit union will be eligible for a $1,000 rebate from the Treasurer's office. The National Bank & Trust Co. also is participating in the program. Rebates will be available for 2,000 buyers on a first-come, first-served basis. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

DENVER - Colorado's state lawmakers plan to review a law the prohibits state regulators from disclosing the financial situation of credit unions placed in conservatorship after such a move against Norlarco Credit Union resulted in protests and concerns.

FOND du LAC, Wis. - Marine CU has made $1 million in no-interest loans available for victims of the recent flooding who need help with clean-up, supplies, temporary housing or day-to-day needs. Funds will be distributed on a first come basis and limited to $5,000 per borrower. No payments will be required for the first four months. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

WATERLOO, Iowa - Veridian CU has awarded $35,000 to help fund five financial education programs.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Card Services for Credit Unions (CSCU) said it will return a cash patronage dividend to member credit unions equal to 100% of its membership fees from 2006. Credit union-owned CSCU has 3,200 member credit unions representing more than 12.5 million accounts. President Bob Hackeny said the patronage dividend payment means CSCU is "essentially making membership free for the year."

PHOENIX - C. Myers corporation has released a white paper for credit union leaders focusing on redefining and managing success in light of a rapidly changing world.

LONDON - Banks need to invest in consolidating identity management across the enterprise so end-users can have a single sign-on across all product systems, channels and locations in order to facilitate and simplify identity management.

DAYTON, Ohio - Florida Commerce Credit Union is expanding its use of "No Envelope" Deposit technology from NCR Corporation in Tallahassee, Fla.

STAUNTON, Va. - Members of DuPont Community CU were being warned to ignore an e-mail that invites them to share their account information. The phishing attempt reads, "Dear DuPont Community C.U. Cardholder, You have 1 new Security Message Click here to Login and resolve the problem." It directs the member to a website that is similar to the credit union's and asks for personal information such as passwords, PINs, Social Security and account numbers. Credit union officials said more than one member already has fallen prey to the scam and had their accounts compromised. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

SCU Opens Mobile Branch

MADISON, Wis. - The seventh class of students has graduated from the National Federation of Community Development CUs (Federation) CDCU Institute. More than 50 students attended the full week-long session, representing 33 CUs.

FLINT, Mich. - Charles (Chuck) Kolin, retired CEO of Elga CU and former chairman of the Michigan CU League, died Aug. 24 at 76. Kolin began his credit union career as a volunteer with Elga CU in 1960 and was named CEO of the credit union in 1966, retiring in 1993. Among his survivors are his daughter, Martha Ninichuk, the former manager of St. Cletus CU and a former CUNA director, who is active in the World Council of CUs. (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

DALLAS - Credit unions may have a big opportunity ahead of them in their credit card portfolios as a result of subprime and housing market woes, but they will have to be very careful as they negotiate those troubled waters.

NORTH CANTON, Ohio - Diebold was granted five U.S. patents that will allow consumers to use their cellphones to conduct ATM functions.

FLINT, Mich. - DORT FCU said it has signed with Diebold to implement the company's ImageWay Branch and ImageWay ATM systems to implement check imaging at its ATMs.

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J. - Credit unions that have small business owners as members who are reluctant to expand into contactless payments can now point those members toward a new white paper that answers their questions. The Smart Card Alliance Contactless Payments Council offers answers to merchants in a new guide to implementing contactless payments.

HOUSTON - PULSE EFT Association is now offering lenders, utility companies and certain other billers a new payment option that allows consumers to automatically pay recurring bills using a debit card without entering their PIN.

DES MOINES, Iowa - A $425,000 grant from an anonymous donor will fund a pilot program to introduce Individual Development Accounts to Iowa credit unions.