SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Almost 30% of firewalls are not providing the protection they are supposed to, according to new research.

A recent CU Journal Online Survey asked readers about the future of credit unions as cooperatives (see chart below). The results of that survey inspired this series in which stakeholders within and outside of the credit union movement share their thoughts on what the future holds for credit unions and what needs to be done to keep that future bright.

NEW BERLIN, Wis. - Homeowners who have fallen victim to sub-prime mortgage lenders will soon be "rescued" by Landmark Credit Union through a new program credit union officials say is designed to save them from rapidly rising interest rates that can increase the amount of the mortgage beyond the value of their property.

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. - Members' account and Social Security numbers were printed on the outside of envelopes mailed recently by Priority One Credit Union, based here.

HOLLYWOOD - Credit unions share at least one thing in common with the animated hit "Shrek the Third": some of their members apparently resemble the green ogre who stars in the film.

INDIANAPOLIS - Regarding the future, the need for credit unions now is as great or greater than ever. As we continue to see the mergers of community banks into regional and national networks, credit unions are increasingly the only locally rooted financial institutions. Because of this, credit unions are well-positioned to be an even more valuable partner for consumers and small businesses that are in need of high-quality affordable financial services.

There's been a lot of news in the credit union industry lately about name changes. Some credit unions have changed their name, then changed it back. There are names tied to places. Names tied to the history of the credit union. And the latest fad-names that mean nothing at all. With all these GOings-on in the industry it makes you wonder-what happens if you stop getting clever, or mysterious, or overly creative and just GO for it!

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Almost 30% of firewalls are not providing the protection they are supposed to, according to new research.

JUNE

YUMA, Ariz. - AEA FCU's disaster planning drill here had a beneficial byproduct. With the launch of the credit union's first disaster notification communication chain, each individual in the communication chain, including board members, senior management and staff, was given directions that included bringing a canned good to work the next day.

LAS VEGAS - You can bet on one sure-thing here: this town is based entirely on gambling.

GROTON, Conn. - While some credit unions bemoan the growing check-cashing industry, one credit union has taken an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach, generating new income and new members in the process.

CHESTER, S.C. - Family and life-long friends of Logan Tinsley gathered here to remember the life of the Army Medic, the first resident to die in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Tinsley's name was etched in black granite along side 158 other veterans who died in battle during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and prompted a new monument in front of the county's War Memorial, which was erected with a contribution from Founders FCU.

TNB Card Services, Dallas, named Kurt Schroeder vice president, account executive.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A new study from ForeSee Results and Forbes.com found customers who pay bills through their bank's Web site are more satisfied with the bank and the online banking experience than those who do not.

GPFCU Absorbs Insolvent CU

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A new study from ForeSee Results and Forbes.com found customers who pay bills through their bank's Web site are more satisfied with the bank and the online banking experience than those who do not.

During a recent conversation with a colleague the question came up, "When was the last time your financial institution called to thank you for your business and suggest that they would love the opportunity to do it again?" My associate mentioned he has had checking and savings accounts and loans at numerous financial institutions during the last several years and could not recall any of them reaching out with a phone call.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - AmeriChoice FCU said it will merge with Y.T.W. Community FCU, which is losing its CEO to retirement. AmeriChoice has more than $110 million in assets and 12,000 members and the smaller, York-based credit union has almost $20 million and 4,500 members. Y.T.W. manager and treasurer James Brown is retiring, which prompted credit union officials to pursue a merger.

I was just reading your article about the long term forecast for CUs (CU Journal, May 21). I think there is a future, but it will only be for the large credit unions. I am a manager of a small credit union in Upstate New York. We have served the people of a V.A. Medical Center for 55 years.