MADISON, Wis. - A Green Bay Packers fan's passion for the game has led him to create a new way to reconnect with credit union members.

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Members of two credit unions on opposite ends of the continent have been receiving automated calls with a similar pitch-access to their accounts has expired and they must call a toll-free number to "reactivate."

SEPTEMBER

PASADENA, Calif.–The $3.9-billion Wescom Credit Union CU West Mortgage, a full-service retail mortgage CUSO, and merged it with CUSO Mortgage, which Wescom acquired in 2006. Jane Wood, Wescom's executive vice president and chief operating officer, shared the CU giant's assessment of the current situation in the mortgage market.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Pacific Service Credit Union put its reputation for efficiency on the line with a "six-minute guarantee" on loan approvals.

FSCC Partners With FMSI

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - What are credit unions in some markets hearing and seeing from competing banks in response to the mortgage market slowdown? Not much, according to one CU here.

WASHINGTON - CUNA President Dan Mica sent a letter to the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions expressing support for choice when it comes to private insurance versus federal insurance for state-chartered credit unions where the state law permits.

ENGLEWOOD, Calif. - It's no secret that instant issue of ATM and debit cards offers members one of the things they covet most: convenience. But in light of massive data breaches and large retailers such as TJ Maxx and even the Veterans Administration, industry experts told the Credit Union Journal that CUs should consider how owning their own card embossing machine can come to the rescue after a data incident.

WINSTON SALEM, N. C. - Dana Padgett doesn't just talk about helping people.

Ever wonder if anyone really sees those billboards? Are the right people really hearing the ads on what are supposedly the area's most popular radio stations? And if those potential members saw the TV ad, do they remember anything about it? Or are all those marketing dollars just going to waste? Awareness and advertising research can answer those questions and more.

DENVER - NCUA is charged with overseeing the security of member data; but is the agency also putting it at risk?

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - In response to numerous requests from its members, Pacific Service Credit Union recently unveiled new home equity loan products, which are secured by vacation homes or rental property.

* Froid (Montana) FCU's phone number was misprinted in the Credit Union Journal Factbook & Buyer's Guide. It should be 406-766-2350.

NEW YORK - Community development CUs say they share the nation's concerns about problems in subprime mortgages and the resulting tighter credit, but tell CU Journal that it's too early to predict how it will affect their financial offerings and members.

I got my start in this financial reporting business by covering one of the real positive feel-good stories of the 20th century: the savings and loan crisis. It was sort of like getting your dream job of covering the NFL as a beat reporter and having the editor saying your first assignment is to talk to Mike Vick about something to do with dogs, and you're envisioning a nice human-interest piece about a quarterback and his love for man's best friend.

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PASADENA, Calif. - When dealing with ATM deposits becomes a full-time job-and for multiple employees-it's time to reevaluate the program.

BROOMALL, Penn. - Franklin Mint FCU here meets with its members who are past due on mortgages or home equity loans. If the member indicates he or she is having a payment shock issue with another lender, the credit union turns over the file to its mortgage originators.

NUTLEY, N.J. - Jim McKittrick, long-time president of Proponent Federal Credit Union, retired Sept. 1 after more than 30 years of service. Succeeding him will be Proponent's executive vice president, Debi Van Dorn, another 30-year Proponent veteran.