Is your balance sheet well-positioned if interest rates were to begin rising tomorrow?

CUs worldwide are struggling to generate sufficient capital from retained earnings. Alternative capital could help.

NCUA's proposal to change the corporate system structure will affect corporates' business model and its expectations of credit unions.

It would be a shame if legislation aimed at protecting consumers instead causes transaction fees and the end of free checking.

Credit unions should prepare for an extended deposit-rich, low-rate, low-credit-demand environment for the next 12 to 24 months.

At press time, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and all of the federal banking agencies (except the Office of Thrift Supervision) had approved the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act) regulations.

Positive media coverage of CUs in the wake of bank bailouts has created a window of opportunity for member growth.

More than $48 billion in new savings has created a flood of liquidity for CUs. To deal with this glut, CUs are promoting loans, diminishing deposit inflows, and rethinking investment strategies.

Although the number of suspicious activity reports filed by financial institutions declined from 2008 to 2009, reports of suspected fraud and terrorist financing grew.

“Operation Stolen Dreams” has led to 485 arrests, 330 convictions, and the recovery of $11 million.