With a $10,000 grand prize presented by MasterCard at stake, three finalists have been named for the second annual CO-OP THINK Prize, created in 2010 to inspire innovative solutions to the issues confronting the credit union industry.

The three finalists and their business plans include:
• Maricela Jauregui, Branch Manager, Mid Cities Credit Union, Compton, Calif.: “QC Code for Account Access.”

• • Jay Schwartz, V.P., Sales and Service Delivery, Marriott Employees’ FCU, Bethesda, Md.: “Social Networking for Credit Union Members.”

• • Paul Yang, CEO, Premier Community Credit Union, Stockton, Calif.: “P2P Payment Card for CO-OP Network Cardholder   (read more)

The agreement of CO-OP Financial Services and FSCC to combine operations, announced in September, is now complete and the two organizations are one company as of the New Year. (read more)

Members Group (TMG) and CO-OP Financial Services announced they have formed a strategic partnership to combine strengths and deliver the largest array of cutting-edge payment solutions for credit unions.

Under the agreement, CO-OP Financial Services has made a strategic investment in TMG. TMG and CO-OP Financial Services will continue to offer products under their own brands, operate independently and work within their existing management structures. At the same time, both companies will cross-sell all of their respective products and services. (read more)

FSCC announced that in a vote held December 8, 2011, its shareholders have unanimously approved the combining of the company’s operations with CO-OP Financial Services. The transaction, announced in September, is expected to close in early 2012, unifying credit union shared branch services. (read more)

In recent days, consumer attention has focused on credit unions as Bank Transfer Day, November 5th, approaches and Wall Street’s Occupy Movement moves into its second month. Upset with rising banking fees and debit card charges, including the $5 debit card fee Bank of America had previously announced and since renounced, consumers are being encouraged by Bank Transfer Day organizers to switch their accounts to credit unions or community banks...(read more)