More credit unions around the country are having at least their senior security officers obtain certification as recognized financial crime investigators as they attempt to both counter existing crime threats and prevent future criminal activity.

Certification as certified financial crimes investigators comes from the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators and certified investigators include law enforcement and government officials along with executives of banks, insurance companies and, increasingly, credit unions, according to Thomas Nash CFCI, senior risk management analyst with the 100,000 member, $1.4 billion American Eagle Federal Credit Union and a trainer for the association.

Nash didn't know exactly how many credit unions have taken the step of helping one or two members of their staff obtain CFCI recognition but said the association has seen larger numbers of credit union executives take the step as their institutions become more aware of significant fraud and other crime threats.