When it comes to speakers at credit union conferences, Kevin Barnes, ex-Leavenworth con man, was certainly a bit different.

The California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues have now joined the industry chorus lambasting the hostile takeover bid of Minneapolis-based Wings Financial Federal Credit Union to merge with Continental Federal Credit Union of El Segundo.

Though not entirely unexpected, California credit unions are girding for a legislative battle this month over the imposition of Community Reinvestment Act rules on state chartered credit unions following the introduction of a banker-backed bill in the state Assembly.

Making new use of viral marketing "to generate a little buzz", CUNA this month is adapting a bit of humor and fun utilizing videos of its top elected officers to promote its big June meeting, America' Credit Union Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.

With a recruitment search under way, the Arizona Credit Union System said last week it could hire a new president/CEO replacing its retiring veteran manager Gary L. Plank within two months.

Putting an end, at least for the time being, of the Optiva name change controversy, the chairman and two directors of the $544 million University of Iowa Community Credit Union have been re-elected to the CU board surviving a dissident challenge at the annual meeting.

Too much capital in a credit union risks an attempt for a hostile takeover and "a net worth ratio of 16.8% is bound to attract attention," according to Bob Hoel, the former executive director of Filene Research Institute.

The subprime meltdown on mortgages has a silver lining for credit unions, according to an analyst working for the California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues.