WASHINGTON-From the podium of NAFCU's Congressional Caucus last week, NCUA Board Member Deborah Matz announced the latest in her series of Partnering and Leadership Successes workshops. Newly installed NAFCU Chair Diane Furnas, CEO of Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union, will co-host the event, which will focus on providing alternatives to predatory financial practices. Credit unions are expected to share secrets to affordable loan programs, special savings initiatives, and other creative services to keep consumers away from predatory lenders. "These credit union programs provide much-needed alternatives to triple-digit interest and exorbitant fees charged by predatory lenders, rent-to-own stores, check-cashers, and pawnshops," an announcement on NCUA's Web site read.