Lending

Emergency Loans Rescue Members in Need January 1, 2008 READ MORE

Spotlight: Richard Brandsma January 1, 2008 Who: Richard C. (Rick) Brandsma What: President/CEO Where: Sound CU , Tacoma, Wash. Proactive lending and people skills pay off for Rick Brandsma, CEO of $362 million asset Sound CU, Tacoma, Wash. The credit union won CUNA Lending Council 2007 Excellence in Lending Awards... READ MORE

The Profitability of Data Accuracy January 1, 2008 By Jennifer Maisano The tides have changed over the last few years and you can either ride the wave or get stuck in the undertow. Consumers are bombarded daily with dozens of commercials advertising "know your credit score" and "obtain your free... READ MORE

Bring Indirect Members Into the Fold January 1, 2008 By Cathy Fleming Converting indirect loan applicants into active members isn't easy. But doing so is a great way to expand membership, credit union executives say. Seek Out Reputable Dealers Indirect lending is a higher-risk channel. Work with reputable dealers. Some... READ MORE

The Relationship Pricing Conundrum December 1, 2007 By Rich Jones Credit unions are innovating incentives and relationship packages to create more member loyalty. Member loyalty is tied directly to: Engagement; Brand image; Convenience and physical proximity; and Price. Let's dissect each of these. Engagement Engagement is measured by the number... READ MORE

Mortgage-Backed Securities: To Sell or not to Sell? November 1, 2007 By Emily Moré Hollis Countrywide Financial Corp., Calabasas, Calif., in August, announced liquidity problems due to its inability to sell securities collateralized by mortgage loans. This prompted investor questions about the risk of principal losses on Countrywide securities backed... READ MORE

After Katrina, CUs Take Small Steps to 'Normal' November 1, 2007 Recovery partners Enterprise Corp. of the Delta (ECD) is the nonprofit sponsor of HOPE Community Credit Union . HOPE is a community development credit union with $60 million in assets and 9,500 members. Both organizations are based in Jackson,... READ MORE

Instant-Issue Cards Add Convenience October 1, 2007 In today's fast-track culture, people remain on the lookout for products or services that streamline their lives. Instant-issuance technology for debit, ATM, credit, and prepaid cards has gained its share of attention in the past few years, and with good reason. Financial institutions... READ MORE

Members Go For Gift Cards October 1, 2007 By Cathy Fleming Gift cards might not be big money-makers for credit unions. But members like the convenience the cards provide, and credit union executives find value in adding the cards to their product lineup. Sarah Canepa Bang, CEO of Financial Service... READ MORE

Emerging Lending Trends & Innovations August 1, 2007 By Steve Rodgers "Credit unions are becoming more discriminating in the business loans they make," Keith Reynolds, vice president of lending and business services at $3.1 billion asset CEFCU , Peoria, Ill., told attendees during the Credit Union National Association's America's Credit... READ MORE