MADISON, Wis. — Credit unions can expect reasonably good lending conditions as the financial crisis gets a little further in the rear-view mirror during the second half of this year, but they will continue to be challenged by regulatory pressure.

WASHINGTON — Financial institutions are still feeling negative effects from last year's sudden rise in medium- and long-term interest rates, but plenty of signs in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s latest industry update continue to point to a lending resurgence soon.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Credit unions won't get much help from a slowly recovering economy during the second half of the year, say analysts who foresee minimal GDP growth and CUs still having to slug it out to find ways to drive ROA.

O'FALLON, Mo. — With big question marks over when interest rates will finally rise, what's coming down the regulatory pike and how the political landscape is going to change, credit unions need to keep their eyes peeled for both challenges and opportunities in the second half of 2014.

LAS VEGAS — To thrive in the second half of 2014, credit unions need to do some much-needed — if slightly belated — spring cleaning.

WASHINGTON — Now that the risk-based capital rule comment period is over, and a record number of letters reached NCUA, the credit union community's two main trade groups say the agency faces the tough task of reviewing and responding to the collective points.

Biometrics once seemed worlds away from mainstream use. But as this category of security technology gains momentum, has its time as a bank account authentication tool finally come?

Albert Einstein once said, "If I had an hour to solve a problem, I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions."

BURBANK, Calif. — If Partners Federal Credit Union had a theme song, it would be "Be Our Guest," from the Disney hit musical "Beauty and the Beast."

Of all the presenters at CO-OP's recent THINK Conference, perhaps no one gave CUs more to think about than Gary Vaynerchuk.

Now that the risk-based capital rule comment period is over, and a record number of letters reached NCUA, the credit union community's two main trade groups say the agency faces the tough task of reviewing and responding to the collective points.

DETROIT — The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions' annual conference here earlier this month had two things that aren't often found at credit union confabs: slot machines and a positive attitude toward big banks.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — John Fiore, who has been with $885 million Motorola Employees Credit Union for 45 years — including the last 29 as its president and CEO — on Wednesday announced he will retire on Aug. 29.

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Central Credit Union plans to purchase a branch of First Federal Bank of Florida.

DOTHAN, Ala. — The National Credit Union Administration Wednesday approved the sale of Flint River National Bank to $260 million Five Star CU here, and the deal is scheduled to close in early June.

READING, Pa. — Two credit unions' branches have become targets for thieves.

Waterford, Mich. — Oakland County Credit Union and BestSource Credit Union said they will merge effective Sept. 1 to create a credit union with almost $300 million in assets, 31,000 members and six branches.

At least three credit unions on NCUA's first-quarter call report late-filer list believe they are off the hook and won't face civil money penalties.

MADISON, Wis. — Millennials are struggling with debt, monthly payments and understanding financial offerings, according to a new study from the Filene Research Institute.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA wants to help credit unions navigate the M&A waters.