PORTLAND, Ore. - Given the flat-as-a-pancake margin of credit union profitability and the search for merger partners to achieve the scale needed to survive long term, it's no surprise to see a specialty merger company and a CUSO dedicated to making mergers.

MADISON, Wis. - A self-admitted heroin addict and drug dealer was sentenced to six years in prison for her role in nine armed robberies, including two at Great Wisconsin CU.

WARRENVILLE, Ill. - The shrinking corporate CU network will lose another member if all parties approve the proposed merger of Members United Corporate FCU and the Central Credit Union Fund.

RALEIGH, N.C. - State Employees' Credit Union (SECU), working in conjunction with the Office of State Personnel and various other state agency representatives, is once again helping promote state employees and the services they provide to North Carolinians, sponsoring the "What's In It For You" (WIIFY) Image Campaign, which includes a one week radio promotion airing on stations throughout North Carolina.

2 CUs Establish Relief Funds

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. - Police are searching for a ring of check counterfeiters who have passed dozens of fake payroll checks on area institutions, leaving some of them with thousands of dollars in losses. Listerhill CU reported that 17 checks, which appear to be payroll checks from Pilgrim's Pride convenience stores, were returned because they were bogus.

WASHINGTON - Credit unions can now order from the U.S. Mint a new series of Presidential $1 coins featuring former Presidents in the order that they served. The first coin in the series, the George Washington $1 Coin, was unveiled in February. The newest Presidential $1 Coin featuring John Adams will go into circulation on May 17. There will be a ceremonial launch and coin exchange in Adams' home of Quincy, Massachusetts on May 22. Free promotional materials can be found at.usmint.gov/$1coin.

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Credit Union Journal Subscribers can access all content from the print edition every Monday simultaneously with its publication at www.cujournal.com. Additional resources include:

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Southeast Financial FCU said last week it has entered the Bowling Green, Ky., market with the acquisition of Fort Campbell FCU's branch here. The $325 million South Financial plans to renovate the 3,000 square-foot branch and convert it to its own brand. The purchase represents a bid for Southeast Financial to expand its footprint in Kentucky.

MAY

MECHANICSBURG, Penn. - Members 1st Federal Credit Union was recently named Lender of the Year by SunTrust Mortgage, Inc.

WICHITA, Kan. - Mid American CU was still trying to find its Greensburg branch employees and assess damage to that facility after a tornado essentially wiped the small town off the map last week.

HARRISBURG, Penn. - In a case that could reverberate nationwide, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments this week challenging the exemption from state taxes for state chartered credit unions.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - NCUA reported it awarded three low-interest loans totaling $475,000 last month from its Community Development Revolving Loan Fund. The 1% loans went to: Consumer's FCU, Gregory, S.D. ($200,000); Pacific Hawaii FCU, Honolulu ($200,000) and Renaissance Community Development FCU, Somerset, N.J. ($75,000). NCUA has made four loans totaling $645,000 from the fund so far this year.

The Credit Union Associations of Colorado and Wyoming, Arvada, Colo., named Bryan Thomas director of product and business development and Barb Roth association consultant.

SAN DIEGO - One expert has a potential solution for a growth rate that has "pooped out" on credit unions: young adults and near-young adults.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - When it comes time to decide between building new or working with you have, return on investment (ROI) is a big part of the equation-but there are some hidden things that can factor into the equation as well.

It isn't often a credit union CEO gets a call that "takes your breath away." Then again, it isn't every day you pick up the phone and hear, "This is the White House and we'd like for you to come and meet with the President."

LAS VEGAS - There are indirect members and there are credit union branches, and often the twain never do meet.