Federal Credit Union executives who want to estimate the fees their institution will have to pay the NCUA to help fund its operations can use NAFCU's online calculator.

Credit union executives and their advocates interested in commenting on the proposed rules on corporate credit unions can attend the NCUA's Town Hall meetings on the subject that will take place next year, the agency announced today.

Consumers showed some reluctance to buy big-ticket items such as cars, appliances and office equipment last month, the Commerce Department reported today.

The presence of a tax credit for first-time buyers and slightly more confidence in the economy fueled a 6.2% in new home sales last month-5.1% above October 2008-the Departments of Commerce and Housing and Urban Development reported today.

Saying that "lending limits should be regulatory, not statutory," NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz wrote a senior Treasury Department official to raise or eliminate the statutory limit on member business loans.

At press time, the House Financial Services Committee was scheduled to vote on an amendment that would exempt credit unions from having to pay into a fund aimed at rescuing companies deemed too big to fail.

Because of the pressure of other issues and a recent Federal Reserve regulation, lawmakers have delayed consideration of legislation to place further regulations on overdraft programs until at least early December.

Credit unions reported increased delinquencies and charge-offs and modest returns on average assets but also saw increases in assets and shares, according to data released today by the NCUA.