Glen Urban's book, "Don't Just Relate-Advocate! A Blueprint for Profit in the Era of Customer Power" (Wharton School Publishing), argues that today, consumers are all powerful in the business/consumer relationship. The Internet has given them access to information, choice and simplified direct transactions. In that environment, it's not enough to be responsive; the imperative is to be proactive.

WASHINGTON - Sometimes, being "the right thing to do," just isn't enough.

10News.com in San Diego did a story about credit unions offering an alternative to high-interest payday loans. "Many community credit unions are doing it, and some big credit unions are doing it," Lily Lo of Northeast Community FCU was quoted as saying.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - What is it about credit unions and CUSOs that keeps them from forming a unified network? Why is the idea of overcoming behemoth financial services competitors so scary?

New Building Houses 4 CUSOs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A sample of households across the country to provide information on how much Americans spend for health care, groceries, clothing, transportation, housing and other items is being collected by U.S. Census Bureau field representatives.The Consumer Expenditure Survey program is comprised of two separate surveys, the first of which will interview 12,000 households once every three months throughout the year about large expenses such as rent, medical costs, etc. In a second Diary Survey, another 12,500 households will keep two consecutive one-week diaries of all purchases including incidentals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will then publish integrated data from the two surveys to create a snapshot of the nation's economy and spending habits. Government economists use the survey results to update a "market basket" of goods and services for the Consumer Price Index in order to measure inflation. All personal information and answers are confidential.

BOSTON - The room block for the Credit Union Journal's popular Business Development and SEG Conference is getting close to filling up.

WASHINGTON - Sometimes, being "the right thing to do," just isn't enough.

TAMPA - When was the last time you were happy to hear from the IRS?

Smart Financial CU, Houston, Texas, named Corbin Wilson vice president of electronic member services.

Pundits All Line Up On One Side: Election 08 Unique

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. - A decision by Comerica Bank, this state's oldest and largest bank, to leave its long-time home and move to Dallas is being leveraged by the Michigan CU League in a message to local media about the credit union difference.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Leaders of Northwest Corporate Credit Union are now planning a series of meetings with member credit unions following plans to merge with Southwest Corporate FCU.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As part of Credit Union Journal's continued efforts to be the primary supplier of marketing-related coverage to the credit union community, this page features some of the very latest advertising messages from credit unions across the country.

Senate Panel Grills Banks On Credit Card Practices

(People) banded together to form a credit union, lend money to one another, and make money at the same time. Sounds like the ending of "It's a Wonderful Life," doesn't it? Except George Bailey doesn't work at the credit union anymore.

Pundits All Line Up On One Side: Election 08 Unique

PORTLAND, Ore. - Leaders of Northwest Corporate Credit Union are now planning a series of meetings with member credit unions following plans to merge with Southwest Corporate FCU.

DALLAS - The Texas Credit Union League's name and logo once again adorn the Town North Bank Building, formerly called Texas Credit Union Center. "Although the TNB name will continue to occupy the top of the building, we are proud to again have our name on the front of the building-this time above the main entrance," said TCUL CEO Dick Ensweiler. "It has been the Credit Union Center for a quarter of a century, and now all who pass the building on the very busy I-635 LBJ Freeway, as well as all who enter the building, will know that we are still here and plan to be for at least the next 10 years." (c) 2007 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

TAMPA - Of all the people credit union champion Lois Kitsch could have brought to an NCUA summit on short term lending, she picked a payday lender expert.