Commentary

Easing the restrictions on member business lending that were part of the 1998 Credit Union Membership Access Act has been one of the dozen or so federal charter enhancements NAFCU has sought in recent years. That's why we are pleased to see that the NCUA Board plans to take up-and...

What does the future hold for NASCUS? Our focus? Our priorities and the direction of the Association? These are timely questions as we gather in Vail, Colorado for the NASCUS 38th Annual Conference and Symposium. Before we look at the future, let's reflect on the beginning. In 1965, a select...

"The best things in life are free, but you can give them to the birds and bees. I want money. That's what I want." Both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones covered the song "Money (that's what I want)" back in the 1960s. Today that song is being sung by...

E-mail is a great tool for quick communications. In today's world of fast paced offices and home lives, e-mail is an ever growing medium of communications. However, accepting e-mail at face value can be a critical mistake. Just ask anyone who has inadvertently allowed a virus into their computer system...

While Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSOs) have become more visible and integral to the credit union system, the trend towards multi-owned CUSOs brings a new set of drivers that determine operational success. Some of the success drivers are germane to both single and multi-owned models, for example good product(s), skillful...

Over the past several years, mortgage lending has not been a major focus at many credit unions, which have opted instead to concentrate on traditional core lending products such as auto finance and credit cards. This assertion is supported by credit unions' 2-3% total market share of the residential mortgage...

In my 30-plus years in the credit union industry, I have never seen times quite like this! Oh yes, we've seen ups and downs, I recall in the `80s we were making auto loans at 21% and paying 18% on Money Market Accounts, but who could have predicted that paying...

Rewards programs have emerged as one of the single most effective ways to reach consumers and influence their payment choices and purchase behaviors. For generations, consumers have been able to save box tops and other proofs of purchases and exchange them for tangible rewards. Rewards programs operate much the same...