FEDERAL WAY, WASH. - While NAFCU's Fred Becker, as well as Continental CEO Tom Glatt, and others have called on NCUA to step in and put a stop to Wings Financial's attempts to appeal to members of Continental FCU, some are suggesting such government intervention is not only unnecessary, but potentialyl harmfull as well.

ALBANY, N.Y.- Taking advantage of a new federal law, SEFCU will introduce check cashing and money orders for non-members next month. The credit union, formerly State Employees FCU, will charge a fee of 1% of the check and $1 per money order, about half the going-rate for these services. The program, called Check Advantage, will be available at two SEFCU branches. The service to non-members with a credit union's field of membership was allowed by last year's regulatory relief bill.

APRIL

FEDERAL WAY, WASH. - While NAFCU's Fred Becker, as well as Continental CEO Tom Glatt, and others have called on NCUA to step in and put a stop to Wings Financial's attempts to appeal to members of Continental FCU, some are suggesting such government intervention is not only unnecessary, but potentialyl harmfull as well.

Hearings

DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN - During a recent visit to the United States to learn about the U.S. banking industry, Tajikistan banker Izatoullo Lalbekov became so impressed with the CU industry that he asked if he could become a member.

APRIL

PORTLAND, ORE. - TRM Corp., the nation's second-biggest independent operator of ATMs and a key credit union partner, has delayed the filing of its fourth quarter and annual reports while the company struggles to account for a major restructuring.

Meriwest CU Extends Services

New Company Aids CU Hiring

CAJA LIBERTAD, MEXICO - A delegation from Caja Libertad, the second largest credit union in Mexico, visited credit union foundations in the U.S. as part of the World Council of Credit Unions' International Partnership between Caja Libertad and the Arizona Credit Union System.

WASHINGTON - Seeking to put another controversy behind it, Wal-Mart Stores withdrew its application for a U.S. bank charter. The company, embroiled in numerous fights over its labor practices, made the decision after the FDIC decided last month to extend its moratorium on all new industrial loan company charters-the kind of bank charter the retail giant was seeking-for another year.

LAS VEGAS - A credit union of any size can reap the value of "free advertising"-also known as editorial coverage in the media-and the value of that media exposure shouldn't be underestimated.

New Company Aids CU Hiring

SIBERIA, RUSSIA - World Council of Credit Unions representatives trained 150 Russian credit union executives and government officials on effective regulation and strategies to increase outreach at the Russian Credit Union Forum in Siberia last month.

ONTARIO, CALIF. - The Utah League of Credit Unions (ULCU) said it has entered into a Business Partner Agreement with CO-OP Financial Services to solely market and promote CO-OP's ATM network (CO-OP Network) and services to 112 Utah credit unions.

MIAMI, FLA. - Nicaraguans living in the United States select remittance providers based on word of mouth, according to a survey conducted by World Council of Credit Unions and Central de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito Financieras de Nicaragua, R.L.

ST. PAUL, MINN. - The House Labor and Consumer Protection Committee approved a bill that will enact MasterCard's and Visa's credit card security rules as law and require parties responsible for a data breach to pay the costs for affected credit unions and other parties.

IOWA CITY - Although bad feelings continue to swirl at University of Iowa Community Credit Union, three board members facing reelection were approved by members.

The Atmore Advance, Alabama, noted the visit of U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, (R-AL) who talked about "concerns about credit unions operating under different rules and regulations as banks." He indicated that "credit unions are moving into areas that years ago they did not operate in."