COLUMBIA, Md. - The Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association (MDDCCUA) is trying to determine how a recent ruling by the state treasurer that counties and municipalities cannot deposit funds in a credit union will impact the state's CUs.

SAN ANTONIO - Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) said it has expanded its line of business loan products to include the new Small Business Administration Patriot Express Pilot Loan for military members, veterans and their spouses interested in expanding or establishing small businesses.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - How can credit unions compete with corporate conglomerates like Wal-Mart, which threaten to weaken the industry with their massive size and assorted services?

COLUMBIA, Md. - The Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association (MDDCCUA) is trying to determine how a recent ruling by the state treasurer that counties and municipalities cannot deposit funds in a credit union will impact the state's CUs.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - A complimentary online story regarding credit unions nearly took down the website being discussed.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - How can credit unions compete with corporate conglomerates like Wal-Mart, which threaten to weaken the industry with their massive size and assorted services?

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Local police, a SWAT team and the FBI responded to a robbery call and quickly surrounded Tennessee Valley Authority Credit Union, blocking off escape routes and keeping onlookers at bay.

NAFCU's annual conference drew almost 2,000 people to Honolulu, most of whom were volunteers. Most attendees stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and were bused to the convention center, site of the meeting and trade show.

HONOLULU - Robert Reich, the former secretary of labor in the Clinton Administration, also offered these observations to NAFCU's recent annual meeting:

SAN ANTONIO - Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) said it has expanded its line of business loan products to include the new Small Business Administration Patriot Express Pilot Loan for military members, veterans and their spouses interested in expanding or establishing small businesses.

MADISON, Wis. - In an unusual turnabout, Mexican credit unions, known as cajas, will be helping their counterparts in the U.S. better understand and serve their growing numbers of Hispanic members. The lessons will come courtesy of the new Hispanic Marketing Immersion Program launched by the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).

LATHRUP VILLAGE, Mich. - First Michigan Credit Union has uncovered a cost-effective strategy to cultivate greater member wallet-share that also doubles as an expense-free way to satisfy member complaints. And the credit union says its members love the new service.

MADISON, Wis. - The World Council of Credit Unions has named Hong Kong as the site for its 2008 World Credit Union Conference, and People's Bank of China Deputy Governor Madame Wu Xiaoling, is tentatively slated as a feature speaker.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The World Council of Credit Unions' mission to China next month may be the first step toward a profound change in the credit union movement, a change that could eventually more than double the number of credit union members worldwide. Despite the effort's potential enormity in terms of numbers, WOCCU is up to the task, says Gary Plank, the WOCCU chair under which the initiative was launched with a visit to China in October 2006.

I saw him standing alone, intensely thumbing his Blackberry while simultaneously speaking to no one, as if he was hearing voices. Then I noticed the Bluetooth earpiece lodged in his right ear as he barked one-word commands loudly enough that eavesdropping was redundant.

Kinecta Financial Realigns Groups

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - This year will mark the 11th anniversary of one of the most extraordinarily unique projects within the credit union community-Credit Union Journal's Day in the Life Project. This year our goal is to make it bigger than ever!

HONOLULU — NCUA is putting together a proposed rule that would prevent attempted hostile takeovers of credit unions, such as the one that lit up the credit union movement in controversy this spring.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson and National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors Chairman Linda Jekel signed a Document of Cooperation, symbolizing federal and state regulators' continued commitment to cooperatively ensure the safety and soundness of federally insured, state-chartered CUs.

St. Jean's Credit Union, Salem, Mass., named Patricia Tarr Lynn branch manager and Lisa Campbell branch and operations center manager.