ATLANTA - After years of trying, credit unions finally got a seat on a Federal Home Loan Bank board of directors.

DENVER - Just weeks after becoming a public company again, Western Union has become the target of a so-called mini tender offer from Canadian investment company TRC Capital Corp.

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - As credit unions continue to struggle with loan growth, more credit unions must consider tapping into member business lending, one expert is urging.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - Tis the season to be shopping-but generally not for cars. What's the right strategy for credit unions when the bread and butter of auto lending takes a holiday?

NEW YORK CITY - United Nations FCU has launched UNFCU Financial Advisors (UNFCU FA), a CUSO dedicated to helping credit unions develop and implement financial and nonfinancial programs for their members.

BECU, Tukwila, Wash., named Stephen Black director of marketing.

WATERLOO, Iowa - Veridian CU announced yesterday it had awarded $15,000 in financial education grants to five local organizations.

WASHINGTON - Passage of a tough new anti-predatory mortgage bill is expected to be one of the first items of business for the House Financial Institutions Committee in the next Congress. "Getting a good predatory loan bill will be a top priority," Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, expected to be the next chairman of the committee, told the Consumer Federation of America.

Lafayette Hosts Q&A On Conversion Proposal

WASHINGTON - In the wake of a vote by the board of the National Association of Community CUs to dissolve the group itself, CUNA has created the Community CU Committee to fill the void, even as the NACCU membership are still voting on its dissolution.

RP Solutions Launches Website

LAS VEGAS - When the board, management and staff are all working off the same sheet, they can make beautiful music together.

Experian and LSI Team Up

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Credit Union Association of New Mexico had a unique visitor "drop by" during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta when a hot air balloon landed in its parking lot.

CUAO Names Award Winners

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - CUs know what their strengths are and the advantages over banks they have to offer to consumers. But they often keep it secret, even though telling that story can be a very effective strategy underpinning growth. Has your CU found an effective way to communicate what the credit union difference is? If so, The Credit Union Journal is back with its Second Annual Frankie Awards designed to recognize those credit unions who do the best job of telling their story. Entering is easy: just provide an example and a brief description, including marketing materials if available, and e-mail that to fdiekmann cujournal.com. (c) 2006 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Altura CU rewarded nine area high schools for their successful football programs with donations of $8,200.

WASHINGTON - In still another government study, the Government Accountability Office recommended that the NCUA Board be expanded to five members, from the current three, in order to diversify points of view and to ensure continuity when the Board has one or more vacancies.

Madison, Wis. - CUNA and World Council of Credit Unions welcomed credit union leaders from the world's seven largest credit union associations: Canada, Ireland, Australia, the Caribbean, Poland, Brazil and the United States, at meetings this week in Washington.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Credit Union Journal's redesigned website includes a survey that changes periodically. Not only does the survey help track credit union views on current events, it will also be used to help The Journal's editorial staff determine what is important to readers.