A selection of images featuring credit unions' efforts in their communities.

WASHINGTON — The Financial Stability Oversight Council on Wednesday expanded its transparency policies in an attempt to address criticism that it is a secretive group with minimal oversight.

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — CPCU Credit Union here plans to rebrand itself as Naveo CU, effective sometime this fall.

LAUREL, Md. — Jeffrey Goff has been named CEO of the $23 million WSSC FCU.

When more U.S. issuers and merchants start using EMV-chip cards to improve security at the point of sale, fraud will likely surge online.

There have been numerous media reports, along with considerable confusion, surrounding the subject of student loans.

PITTSBURGH — Hill District FCU is using gift cards and a local public health study to better ingratiate itself into the local community.

COVINA, Calif. — Boards needing better skills, CEO comp plans calling for some serious adjustments and solutions to keep the front-line staff at the CU are just some of the hurdles facing human resources executives today.

HOUSTON — Teaching financial literacy to kids? There's an app for that and it's one of the three finalists for this year's CO-OP THINK Prize.

BURBANK, Calif. — A year after winning the CO-OP THINK Prize, Robert Baron is looking on the bright side.

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. — A concept intended to serve as "a sustainably innovative solution" to the ever-expanding mobile banking landscape has been selected as one of this year's three finalists for the CO-OP THINK Prize.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Tiny Essex Division Telephone Federal Credit Union of Maplewood, N.J., with just $8.4 million in assets, is merging into $292 million Garden Savings Federal Credit Union, headquartered here, effective May 31.

CHICAGO — A customizable website to help credit unions promote financial education made the final three at this year's CO-OP THINK Prize.

CINCINNATI — As banks cut back on branches, credit unions are stepping up their interest in bricks-and-mortar service delivery.

GLENDALE, Calif. — When it was time to remodel its branch here earlier this year, Los Angeles Federal Credit Union installed touch screen and other technology to up its cool quotient.

SAN ANTONIO — Credit union branches are less likely to be a "destination" for members, so the key is to be where the members already are. That's why progressive CUs are exploring and expanding in-store branch opportunities.

Branch transformation is a hot topic these days — it seems everyone has a different idea of what it means. When I ask credit unions what they think of it, I get a myriad of responses.

TAOS, N.M. — After removing confidential credit union documents out of an unlocked courier van, a would-be thief was foiled by an off-duty police officer eating at a local drive-in restaurant here who spotted the alleged burglary in progress.

WASHINGTON — When Bill Cheney steps down as the head of CUNA next month, it will be business as usual at the trade association — including addressing CU concerns over the group's structure and leagues, says Bill Hampel, who was named interim president/CEO last week.

"Engagement" gets more discussion at credit union meetings than a gathering of Kay Jewelers store managers.