Echoing a now-growing industry theme, the new chairman of the Massachusetts Credit Union League maintained today that CUs have important lessons to be learned from Wal-Mart's "Money Center" expansion about serving the unbanked.

Joining "in support of our fallen brethren," firefighter credit unions from across the U.S. and backed by CUNA used their Web sites and direct mail last week to drum up donations from their members to support the families of the victims of the calamitous June 18 warehouse fire.

Credit unions risk being outmaneuvered by big banks and the captives if they fail to tighten up their tracking and monitoring of auto loan data, a leading indirect lender, Larry Biernacki, president/CEO of the $509 million Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Jacksonville, Ark., warned last week.

The New Jersey Credit Union League confirmed last week it has hired HRValue Group, a Plymouth, Mich., search and recruiting firm, to help find a new president/CEO.

After years of what were described as "troubled relationships," credit unions are now getting high marks from auto dealers on their ability to bring in profitable business, an automotive publisher and former Evansville, Ind. dealer told CU loan executives here.

The credit union buzz over Wal-Mart's new "Money Centers" was a collective shrug last week.

With careful controls, credit unions stand to reap profits from lagging auto portfolios by offering more nonprime loans, according to a CUNA Mutual Group executive.

Marking an unusual team-up with bankers, the New Jersey Credit Union League is taking the lead in the state legislature this summer by spearheading a data breach bill protecting consumers and holding retailers responsible for breach costs.