The Louisiana Credit Union League is nearing the launch of a social network that will allow its constituents to stay in touch even when they can't meet in person, whether due to the pandemic or natural disasters.

The economic and political conditions are in place for bank-credit union mergers to blow past last year's total of 13 despite the banking industry's strong opposition to them.

Brian Knight of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors will prioritize collaboration with the National Credit Union Administration in his efforts to help state-chartered institutions stay competitive with federally chartered credit unions as well as community banks and fintechs.

Hundreds of bankers and credit union executives are seeking exemptions and changes to a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposal to collect race, ethnicity and gender information about small-business borrowers that they describe as burdensome and unworkable.

Some community banks and credit unions worry that by hiring out-of-state workers to fill their many job openings, as other employers have done, they could erode community ties.

The National Credit Union Administration approved four new credit unions in 2021 — the most in six years — after revamping the application process.

Banks and credit unions that cater to members of the armed forces are partnering with fintechs or patenting their own tools to help users convert currency, borrow money and handle financial matters in environments with unreliable internet service.

Branches across the country have closed temporarily, or switched to drive-thru service, as infections and quarantine rules have forced many bank workers to stay home.

The National Credit Union Administration has given its first guidance on handling Bitcoin and other digital assets in an effort to encourage credit unions to work with fintechs to offer new services.

The $50 million subordinated debt issuance is large for a credit union and likely the first of its kind to receive an investment-grade rating. It comes days before a National Credit Union Administration rule will take effect to enable a wider range of credit unions to raise capital through debt offerings.

The National Credit Union Administration set a lower target for business trips and additional staffing amid concerns stemming from the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions' new campaign highlights $243 billion in fines slapped on Wall Street banks. The group says it's responding to political attacks, but the banking industry says NAFCU is trying to distract from criticism of its tax exemption.

Through its partnership with Visa, the California credit union lets members receive digital replacements for lost cards almost instantly and add digital cards to mobile wallets like Apple Pay.

Business and regulatory pressures were already weighing on aging executives before the onset of the pandemic led many to delay retirement plans. Now as the crisis eases, an increasing number are finally stepping down.

The new omicron strain is prompting more financial institutions to extend mask mandates in the workplace and remote work schedules.

College athletes can now profit from their name, image and likeness, and some local lenders have been quick to sign them on as spokespeople. But it's still unclear whether these young sports figures will raise the financial institutions' profile enough to justify the cost.

Alliant Credit Union in Chicago is building a database of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enforcement actions to analyze patterns over time and help it formulate a compliance program that will withstand political swings in Washington.

The National Credit Union Administration backed off measures that would have let credit unions sign up members in areas where they have ATMs and online services, but no branches. The move was seen as a partial victory for banks, though the matter could ultimately be decided by Congress.

The expectation that people will want social distancing and ever-expanding digital banking options well after the pandemic passes is informing branch architecture at banks and credit unions.

Northern Hills Federal Credit Union in South Dakota is one of several institutions testing tools that can deliver faster loan decisions, an edge they need against digital upstarts.