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The article states that over 50 credit unions, including the firm Actors Federal Credit Union, were identified as institutions susceptible to potential money laundering schemes in a confidential report by the U.S. agency the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network completed in February 2015. According to the article, the credit unions were not accused of wrongdoing, but vulnerable to exposure to check-cashing companies and other organizations in the money-services industry.

The article discusses lawsuits filed in several U.S. courts by small U.S. banks and credit unions, including Roseburg, Oregon, firm Umpqua Bank, Whitman, Massachusetts, firm Mutual Bank, and St. Francis, Minnesota, firm Village Bank, in an effort to recover money lost during data breaches of U.S. retailers Target Corp. and Home Depot Inc. According to the article, the banks were attempting to change an industry standard in which major credit card networks such as Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc. negotiate settlements with breached merchants.

The article discusses long-term investments being made by credit unions in the U.S. that have their regulator, the National Credit Union Administration, concerned about potential losses in the event interest rates rise. At issue are long-term loans and purchases of mortgage bonds. At the end of 2013 net holdings by credit unions of long-term assets were at a record high.

The article discusses the abandonment of large banks by U.S. consumers in favor of credit unions and other smaller institutions. Some consumers are discovering they must pay fees to close their accounts or discuss their decision with a bank employee. Ray Parente didn't care to talk when trying to pull his money out of Wells Fargo & Co., so he withdrew all but $0.02 just to make a nuisance of himself.

The article reports that small banks and credit unions in the U.S. signed up thousands of new customers during "Bank Transfer Day" on November 5, 2011, an event aimed at prompting consumers to transfer their banking business away from large institutions. Details are presented about how customers could benefit by joining a credit union.

The article reports that the U.S. National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is threatening to sue several banks including Bank of America Corp. and J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. unless they give back $50 billion received for mortgage-backed securities sold to wholesale credit unions. The NCUA claims the banks misrepresented the risks of the securities, which later plunged in value.

The article discusses criticism of a 12% increase in the 2011 budget for the U.S. National Credit Union Association (NCUA). Deborah Matz of the NCUA says the increase is due partly to a planned 7% increase in the number of examiners it employs. The NCUA will also spend $1.2 million to renovate its headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

The article reports that the U.S. government will provide up to $30 billion in bond guarantees as part of an effort to stabilize the nation's wholesale credit unions. In addition, the government took into conservatorship the credit unions Members United Corporate Federal Credit Union, Southwest Corporate Federal Credit Union, and Constitution Corporate Federal Credit Union.

The article discusses efforts by state and local governments in the U.S. to deposit funds with small financial institutions perceived as not having contributed to ongoing, tight credit conditions. In New York City, mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to direct up to $25 million in tax monies to credit unions. Legislators in New Mexico have proposed legislation that would give the state treasurer permission deposit up to $5 billion in local banks and credit unions without first obtaining bids.

The article reports that the U.S. National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has guaranteed $80 billion worth of uninsured deposits at wholesale credit unions. NCUA also provided $1 billion in fresh capital to the U.S. Central Federal Credit Union after that institution revealed a net loss of $1.1 billion for 2008.

The article discusses efforts by the U.S. National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to provide financial assistance to certain large credit unions. NCUA will avail itself of a $41 billion credit facility established by Congress. Intended beneficiaries are corporate credits unions that invest deposits from retail credit unions. Some of those investments were in mortgage-backed securities.

The article discusses implications for savers in the U.S of consolidation in the banking industry. Many firms that have gotten larger, such as Bank of America Corp. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., do not have reputations for paying high rates of interest and charging low fees. Consumers may wish to consider what community banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms have to offer in terms of savings vehicles.

The article reports that five large credit unions in the U.S. have incurred substantial paper losses on mortgage-related securities that they hold. Among firms affected are U.S. Central Federal Credit Union, Western Corporate Federal Credit Union, and Members United Corporate Federal Credit Union.

The article reports that banking advocate Harris Simmons is working to end the tax breaks enjoyed by credit unions. Simmons asserts that the organizations' tax-exempt status is unfair given their profits. Credit unions were made tax exempt to help them provide low interest loans to individuals of modest means. Now their success and wide-spread appeal has bankers questioning the relevance of their special rules.

Focuses on Martin Eakes, founder of the nonprofit group Center for Community Self-Help, and the advice that he gives other businesses. Details of his modest income and lifestyle; Efforts of Eakes to get banks and investment firms, such as Citigroup Inc., to rethink their finances and policies; How Self-Help is also a credit union; Lessons that Eakes has learned about lending to others; Passion that Eakes has for real estate.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Uber Crashes the Democratic Party" in the July 21, 2015 issue, "Regulatory Rollback Is Wrong for Financial Markets" and "Government by the Pizza Slice" in the July 13, 2015 issue.

The author conveys his thoughts about a marketing campaign by the U.S. Navy Federal Credit Union that intends to provide banking services to the Armed Forces and mentions other related topics like credit unions, U.S. Navy, and U.S. financial services industry.

The article reports on a rule passed by the National Credit Union Administration that prohibit credit unions from setting up charities and other associations designed to attract customers who are not eligible for membership.

The article discusses the offering of jumbo loans by credit unions, focusing on advice to borrowers to shop around before choosing a lender. Other topics include the benefits of credit union loans such as no down payments, no private mortgage insurance and longer terms, the percentage of loans disbursed that are jumbo, and credit unions giving out jumbo loans including Navy Federal Credit Union, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, and Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

The article discusses lending from credit unions in the U.S., focusing on areas where lending has grown such as business lending, commercial real estate, and consumer lending.

Letters are presented from readers responding to articles previously published in June, 2014 including "Only America Can Prevent a Disaster in Iraq" by L. Paul Bremer from the June 16 issue, "Why Young People Can't Find Work" by Andrew Puzder from the June 10 issue, and "Credit Unions Ramp Up Risk" from the June 6 issue.

The article discusses credit unions in the U.S. as a source of student loans, with information presented about the rising number of credit unions that offer such loans, the interest rates they charge, and the value student loans have in attracting younger members to credit unions.

The article discusses data released by the firm SNL Financial regarding increased deposits at the five largest credit unions in the U.S., with a focus on the minimal effects on big banks when small customers transfer their accounts.

The article reports on the opposition of U.S. credit union and community bank executives, including North Carolina State Employees' Credit Union head Jim Blaine, to the event known as Bank Transfer Day on November 5, 2011 as moving money between financial institutions cannot be done in one day.

The article reports on the demand by the U.S. credit unions for the Congress to issue more business loans and raise lending cap due to the weak performance of banks in August 2011.

The article focuses on the competitive advantage of credit unions in the U.S. in line with the good deals they are offering compared with their bank counterparts.

The article deals with a special promotion launched by the credit union NASA Federal Credit Union in May 2011 that allows borrowers who purchase a primary residence to take out mortgages without making a down payment.

A correction to the Money & Investment article about regulation of credit unions in the December 24, 2010 issue is presented.

The article focuses on the advantages of credit unions over banks in the U.S. and offers tips on how to maximize them.

The article reports on the decision of some banks and credit unions in the U.S. to continue providing loans despite a contraction in consumer loans in 2009.

The article reports on the failures of Horizon Bank and Kern Central Credit Union in 2010, the assets of which were assumed by others. It notes that the closures are the first two in a series of failures expected to occur for the year. The bank based in Washington was closed down by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions while its assets were assumed by Washington Federal Savings and Loan Association. The assets of the California-based credit union were assumed by Self-Help Federal Credit Union of North Carolina.

The article discusses using peoples' affinity for gambling to encourage savings. Estimates indicate that in 2007 the U.S. population spent far more on legalized gambling than it added to personal savings. Several credit unions in Michigan issue a certificate of deposit designed by professor Peter Tufano that both pays interest and offers a chance to win monthly cash prizes.

The article reports on the failure of a measure which gives an authority to U.S. judges to reduce the mortgages of homeowners in bankruptcy court to garner 60 votes to pass a procedural vote in the Senate. The measure has been opposed by community banks and credit unions and lacks the support of some Democrats. President Barack Obama and some Democrats consider the measure as a relief for people who have been affected by the housing crisis.

The article reports on the proposal from federal regulators that allows the credit union industry to take 7 years to pay a $5.9 billion bill from mortgage-related losses at two big wholesale credit unions seized by the government on March 20, 2009, instead of covering the losses immediately. It recalls that the National Credit Union Administration seized U.S. Central Federal Credit Union and Western Corporate Federal Credit Union after finding their losses were larger than previously reported.

The article reports that the U.S. government has taken control of U.S. Central Corporate Federal Credit Union and Western Corporate Federal Credit Union. The two are the largest wholesale credit unions in the country. National Credit Union Administration chairman Michael E. Fryzel said the move was necessary to protect the credit-union system.

The article reports on the move of small business owners in the U.S. to turn to credit unions as a source for funding as they are not able to get loans at banks. According to the Credit Union National Association, about 27% of the credit unions in the nation offer business loans. It cites the desire of credit unions to convince Congress to introduce legislation to lift the cap on the amount of money they could lend.

This article reports on the opposition facing a U.S. federal plan to rescue troubled wholesale credit unions. Standard & Poor's Corp. expressed concern over the opposition to the rescue plan. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) spokesman John Mckechnie says the regulator is responsible for ensuring the industry's safety and soundness. NCUA plans to assess a special size-related fee on each retail credit union to rebuild the insurance fund.

The article reveals that the ratings outlook for Members United Corporate Fed Credit Union in the U.S. has been on the negative watch. According to Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, all of its credit union ratings are on a watch for possible downgrade amid efforts to address the deterioration of holdings of mortgage-backed and other structured securities.

The article claims that credit unions are making available funds for lending to U.S. automobile manufacturers to provide loans for cars and trucks sold at discounted prices. It states that General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are having their worst sales for the last 25 years and the tight credit market is adding to the problem. According to the article, the credit unions have been less affected by the contraction of the housing market and the failure of the financial system as well as the ensuing difficulty of obtaining credit.

The article reports on the move of the U.S. government to turn to financial industry lobbyists to help save the $700 billion financial bailout plan, following its defeat in the House of Representatives on September 29, 2008. It notes that bankers and other business interests helped shape a bill with provisions favorable to the banking industry and includes spending and tax breaks. It mentions the role of Dan Berger, chief lobbyist for the National Association of Federal Credit Unions, in trying to influence a bill that would include credit unions.

The article focuses on the consequence of the U.S. financial crises to small and midsize corporations resulting to stricter credit requirements. The companies anticipate an increased rates on credit cards and loans and the non-availability of financial resources from real estate market. Aside from financing, future plans of the firms may be affected as projects and purchases are put on hold. There is also a speculation that small enterprises will resort to credit unions and community banks.

The article considers the advantages of credit unions over banks in the U.S. According to the author, consumers should consider the savings and checking accounts, certificates of deposits (CDs), small-business, mortgage and auto loans, and credit cards offered by credit unions. They pay an average of 2.97% on on-year CDs compared with the bank average of 2.36% as of April 2008. Bankrate.com senior financial analyst Greg McBride says union membership requirements have been relaxed.

This article discusses the economic benefits of applying to become a member of a credit union. Credit unions, unlike banks, do not have to pay most income taxes, allowing them to offer higher interest rates paid to depositors as well as lower rates on loans. Many bankers are upset by this unfair advantage in competition for customers and some have filed lawsuits focused toward credit union membership rules.

Focuses on the possible implications of a U.S. Congress bill that may help credit unions to compete with money-transmittal businesses dominated by Western Union and Moneygram.

Reveals that a growing number of banks and credit unions in the U.S. are opening branches in high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.

Examines the impact of recent bank mergers for the retail banking customer. Speculation about the future of banking in the United States as the result of recent mergers; Benefits to be realized by the retail banking customer; Discussion of the comprehensive services to be offered by the big banks and the potential disadvantages to the consumer; Problems associated with the merger of large corporations, including the merging software technologies; Why consumers should continue to shop around instead of accepting all the products from one bank; Recommendations to consumers based on a comparison of big banks, credit unions, Internet banks and smaller banks.

Reports on the opportunity for U.S. federal credit unions to make additional business loans to their members under a rule adopted by the National Credit Union Administration in 2003.

Discusses efforts of the Latino Community Credit Union to market its financial services to undocumented immigrants in North Carolina. Efforts of banks to cater to the Latino market, which is considered a growth market; Way that the credit union is considered a model in international banking; Policies of the credit union which have helped it to overcome the distrust that many Latinos feel for financial institutions; Aid given to undocumented immigrants by the credit union to apply for a federal tax identification number, which allows them to pay taxes and open interest-bearing accounts.

Reports on the online banking services offered by credit unions.

Reports on allegations of the misuse of chogin funds, or credit unions serving ethnic Koreans living in Japan, who are loyal to the communist North.