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Articles by Rob Craig
House Financial Services Committee Chair McHenry will not seek re-election
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election in 2024. McHenry has served in Congress since 2005 and has chaired the House Financial Services Committee since January 2023. “Rep. McHenry has been a strong supporter of credit unions throughout his time in Congress and has helped us advance several important pieces of legislation while leading the House Financial Services Committee,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle.
NAFCU, CUNA urge White House to discourage CFPB’s spotty regulation
NAFCU and CUNA joined with several financial trade associations to call on President Joe Biden to hold the CFPB accountable to the rulemaking process and offer support for “clear rules of the road” in the financial services industry. “Markets work best when the rules are clear, so it is possible to comply with them,” wrote the groups.
Selfish credit unions kill opportunities
When credit union leaders and board members resist change in favor of the comfort of the familiar past, all in the name of love of the credit union, I ask one question: “What is your credit union story from when you first joined?” I tend to hear emotional and moving stories about the many firsts that the credit union helped with, and the tough times that the credit union helped them navigate through the years. continue reading »
What ChatGPT got wrong about top 5 fintech trends of 2024
I’ve received dozens of 2024 fintech trends prediction pitches in my email inbox over the past month. And while many of them are insightful, I wanted to see what our AI overlord ChatGPT had to say about the matter.
These 10 cities could be the hottest housing markets in 2024
Home sales plummeted this year as housing prices and mortgage rates climbed to historic levels — but a new report suggests certain real estate markets could rebound in 2024. Select markets in the Northeast, Midwest and Southern California are primed for sales and price growth next year, according to real estate broker Realtor.com’s new forecast. Among the cities where residential real estate is likely to be hot in 2024 are smaller, more affordable alternatives to big urban centers.
Big student loan forgiveness details just released for new Biden plan
The Biden administration released major new details this week on a new student loan forgiveness plan. The program is designed to provide student debt relief to borrowers in the wake of last summer’s Supreme Court ruling that struck down Biden’s first student loan forgiveness initiative. The new plan is being developed under a different legal authority, and will be targeted to borrowers based on specific circumstances.
Make your bank or credit union brand like a christmas carol
It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year! And hearing “the most wonderful time of the year” probably brought the Andy Williams carol to mind. It’s so iconic you can’t disassociate the phrase from the song. There are a lot of carols like that – “Let it Snow,” “White Christmas” and “Deck the Halls” to name a few. These tunes mark permanent territory in your head. Wouldn’t it be nice if your bank or credit union brand did the same thing for consumers?
Reindeer poop & bad holiday behavior
I did what any crazy person does and attended some of the ‘Black Friday’ shopping after Thanksgiving. Much to the dismay of my husband, I asked to stop at the “bucks” of “star” for an overpriced mocha frappe latte triple sweet cold foam second Cousin Eddie’s twice removed espresso. Okay, it was a vanilla latte. ANYWAY, back to my point. I do have one. As we enter the holidays, you tend to have a few sets of attitudes that come with the territory.
24% of consumers would choose local financial institutions for credit card
Despite the dominance of national banks, credit unions and community banks have quietly strengthened their positions in the consumer credit card market in recent years. The latest report by Elan Credit Card and PYMNTS Intelligence examines where consumers are applying for credit cards, what type of spenders they are, and what features are most persuasive. Credit unions increased their share of primary credit cards from 6% in 2020 to 8.3% in 2023.
Digital-first collections matter now more than ever. Here’s why.
Two years ago, delinquency rates on loans in the U.S. were the lowest they’d ever been. Financial stimulus packages, student loan deferments, and suppressed spending provided plenty of budgetary breathing room for households nationwide. It seemed easier for your members to prioritize their financial obligations. They were holding onto money like never before and their financial cushions were lined with savings.
3 reasons credit unions should modernize their lending processes
Credit unions strive to provide exceptional services to their members, whether it’s home loans, auto loans, or personal lines of credit. The efficiency and streamlining of processes play a crucial role in enhancing the overall member experience, be it in-branch or digitally. While credit unions may utilize an origination solution, many are not specifically tailored to small business lending.
3 reasons credit unions should modernize their lending processes
Credit unions strive to provide exceptional services to their members, whether it’s home loans, auto loans, or personal lines of credit. The efficiency and streamlining of processes play a crucial role in enhancing the overall member experience, be it in-branch or digitally. While credit unions may utilize an origination solution, many are not specifically tailored to small business lending.
Nussle announces forums for CEOs on proposed merger
CUNA President and CEO Jim Nussle Wednesday announced a series of virtual forums for NAFCU and CUNA member CEOs to learn more about the associations’ proposed transformation to America’s Credit Unions. In his message, Nussle reiterated that members’ “feedback and ideas are critical in helping America’s Credit Unions best serve your credit union and your members.” There will be three forums offered: One for NAFCU-only members, CUNA-only members, and dual members.
NCUA consumer compliance webinar set for Sept. 27
Credit unions can get valuable information on a range of consumer compliance and fair lending topics during an upcoming webinar hosted by NCUA on Wednesday, September 27, at 2 p.m. ET, and will run approximately 60 minutes. Registration for “Consumer Compliance: Supervisory Observations and Hot Topics” webinar is now open. Staff from the NCUA’s Office of Consumer Financial Protection will cover several subjects, including: Exam observations; continue reading »
Alt text: What is it and what is it good for?
Have you ever navigated to a website where in place of a picture there is a broken image icon accompanied by a description? This description is known as alternative text or alt text. If an image is not loading properly due to low bandwidth or other technical issues, the alt text will be displayed in its place. Aside from acting as a stand-in for broken images, alt text plays a big part in making a website accessible.
Credit union guide to honoring veterans: Examples, charities, & facts
Due to their strong focus on local communities and their commitment to serving their members, credit unions have long been recognized for their exceptional patriotism compared to other institutions. This is especially noticeable during certain moments of the year, such as the approaching commemoration of September 11, 2001, and the tragic events that transpired on that day.
Win deposits and improve your efficiency ratio with an omnichannel digital account opening solution
Deposits are the lifeline for any financial institution, and now more than ever, deposits are critical. In this competitive rate environment, financial institutions need to shift their strategy to attract new deposits and drive their new money goals. As interest rates drop, financial institutions need to be ready with the necessary liquidity to fund their lending operations and expand their loan portfolio.
The strategy behind Amazon Pay’s Buy Now, Pay Later push
Amazon Pay is doubling down on offering buy now, pay later to other retailers who use its payments service on their own sites. It has rolled out two different BNPL programs to serve different customer segments, ahead of the holiday season. The first allows retailers using Amazon Pay to offer their shoppers the buy now, pay later services of Affirm. Shoppers will see this as an option at checkout when they make a qualifying purchase.
How to navigate asset risks & evaluate your card program
Effective credit card program management can only happen with a thorough and ongoing examination of how changes in interest rates affect both what is owned (assets) and what is owed (liabilities). This analysis is extremely important for ensuring your financial institution has enough money to cover its obligations and maintain financial stability. If your assets are mismatched, your credit union could be headed for trouble.
Labor market woes? Try something new
Finding employees these days is anything but easy … a confusing proposition in a potentially cooling labor market. According to a recent Reuters report, hiring and quitting rates both decreased (the hire rate falling to its lowest point since April 2020). But the drop in labor force participation dulled the effect of such changes, leaving only 5.9 million unemployed people to fill 9.8 million jobs. So, it’s a cooling-competitive market. How does that affect your credit union?
3 ways intelligent automation can amplify credit unions' performance, delight members, and elevate results
In today’s demanding economic climate, credit unions are feeling the pressure on their budgets, leading many to prioritize projects that deliver quick returns, enhance operational efficiency, and manage costs effectively—all while continuing to provide personalized services, attract members, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance. As a result, many FIs are turning to tools that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to augment workflows and processes, also known as “intelligent automation”.
How digital accessibility can enhance credit unions’ growth and inclusivity in the digital age
As technology continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever for credit unions to ensure that their digital properties, such as website and mobile apps, are accessible to all members, including those with disabilities. Beyond legal compliance such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a focus on digital accessibility can also enhance your credit union’s reputation and improve your bottom line.
3 credit union predictions for 2023
As we face economic headwinds and a volatile market, a number of banking and technology trends are emerging worldwide. As a result, credit unions will have to innovate faster than ever to avoid falling behind competitors and ensure they’re positioned to take advantage of new opportunities when they arise. Here are 3 predictions for the year ahead to help your credit union prepare: We will see further growth in digitization and automation.
Dedicated Theater Design & Construction - AVS Forum
Fv15hp Subwoofer, Denon, Audyssey 57533 Attachment(s) Sticky Thread Sticky: Acoustical Treatments Master Thread (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 ... Last Page) Last Post started by JBS (05-04-2003) Last Post By: , ago Today 10:52 AM by Mocs123 Last Post 12,570 1,644,756 green glue; noiseproofing; soundproofing 6774 Attachment(s) Sticky Thread Sticky: Soundproofing master thread (Multi-page thread 1 2 3 ...
American International Pictures - A Comprehensive Filmography - By Rob Craig
Review by Steve D. Stones It's often been said that you can't judge a book by its cover. It's also been said that you can't judge a book by its movie. If you've ever read a film analysis book by Rob Craig, you know his books deliver both in their content and their colorful cover designs. His analysis of forgotten films and underground cult directors is well researched and well written. Craig treats these often forgotten films and their directors with great respect.
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