Indirect lending was good to Affinity Plus FCU, but it did not allow for the kind of trust-based relationship building with members that the credit union’s mission calls for. So it dropped indirect lending, and discovered that member-centric product innovations, such as an alternative mortgage product, not only made up for the financial loss but resulted in stronger member relationships.

The NCUA and the federal district court for Eastern Michigan have both erred in not making DFCU Financial live up to the credit union’s bylaws. Fundamental freedoms are at stake. DFCU members acquired three times more signatures for a special meeting than the bylaws required. But management refused to call a special meeting. NCUA and the court are allowing this democratic ownership right of the me

University FCU is the major student loan lender at the University of Texas because of the value of its product, not for its relationship with the financial aid office. Transparency will reveal its work of putting students first.

At Community First Credit Union, one brief phrase captures our commitment to our members: “We’ll find a way.” Our new outreach specifically targeting first-time home buyers reflects this mind set. The housing market in Wisconsin has not escaped the national home purchase slump, with homeowners unable to sell their homes and potential first-time home-buyers unable to get into the market.

Amy Sink, CFO at Teachers CU in Indiana, shares her thoughts on the challenges and opportunities running the largest credit union in her state during these troubling times.