Links in “Credit Unions”

NCUA is hosting a webinar focusing on best practices surrounding merging. Topics include timing, structure and negotiations, characteristics of a CU heading towards a merger, and maximizing benefits. [9/2/14]

Faced with increasing regulatory scrutiny, the number of banks willing to do business with Somali money transmitters is shrinking, creating a hardship for Somali immigrants seeking to send money back to family members. [9/2/14]

In the world of residential lending, loan officers frequently trip up when it comes to knowing when they’re dealing with a full-fledged application. Join Alberto Gamez, AffirmX’s Director of Sales and a 22-year mortgage specialist, to learn a simple trick to knowing when you have a complete loan application. [8/29/14]

Yes, you read that correctly! Learn about the primary mistakes that credit unions make in trying to protect themselves against cyber criminals. [8/29/14]

The CFPB has announced the appointment of eight new members to its Credit Union Advisory Council (CUAC). The CUAC has 15 members, all from credit unions with less than $10 billion in assets. [8/29/14]

The newest NCUA board member, J. Mark McWatters, has made his intentions clear (from day two on the job) by announcing his intentions for his term on the board. He outlined five areas of focus, including providing regulatory relief for credit unions and promoting the role of women and persons of color within the credit union industry. [8/28/14]

The Department of Education has changed the way  FFEL lenders should determine if consumers can receive the benefits of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Specifically, lenders are now allowed to use the Defense Manpower Data Center to look for borrowers who qualify for SCRA benefits, even without a request to do so from the borrower. [8/28/14]

According to a survey by CrediCards.com, consumers ages 18 to 29 prefer using credit cards 51% of the time, even for purchases under $5. That reflects a dramatic difference from the 65 plus demographic, who prefer cash 82% of the time. [8/28/14]

Or so says one blogger. According to Eric English, CISSP, industry compliance requirements should be treated as a "baseline, not necessarily the best way of responding to a potential problem," especially when it comes to cybersecurity. [8/28/14]

The FHFA's recent "duh" report finding that increasing home prices may be keeping some first-time home buyers out of the market is missing the point. Here are some more likely reasons why first-time home buyers are having a hard time breaking into the housing market. [8/28/14]