WASHINGTON - Stronger regulation of financial institutions won't stifle innovation but will lessen the chances for abuse, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said today.

Sen. Jim Bunning, a member of the Banking Committee who often supported credit unions and criticized the Federal Reserve, announced today he will not seek re-election when his term expires next year.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Because of the strong trust they engender, credit unions are in a strong position to generate more use of their existing credit cards or enter the market for the first time.

The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to discuss and possibly vote on the nomination of Deborah Matz as chairman of the NCUA next Tuesday.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Knowing what you do best and communicating it creatively to members and potential members are among the best ways to improving your credit union and making it more customer friendly.

Because the Obama administration and congressional leaders are coordinating their agendas on financial services issues, credit unions and their lobbyists are having to work hard to play defense, NAFCU Executive Vice President B. Dan Berger said today.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Invoking the words that soothed Britain during World War II, NAFCU President Fred Becker said today that if credit unions take advantage of the economic downturn, this will be seen as the movement's "finest hour."

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland said today that the credit union movement needs to retool itself to regain its cooperative spirit and do more to serve the underserved.