THE news

WASHINGTON—Jim Nussle, the former Iowa congressman who is now CUNA’s new CEO, said he is working to provide the “bold leadership” the association’s board stressed it was seeking when it hired him, is getting up to speed on both internal and external CU system challenges, and indicated he is open-minded about working with traditional enemies of credit unions when there are areas of common interest on Capitol Hill.

In an interview with CUToday.info, Nussle, who also previously led the Office of Management and Budget and who is in just his third week at CUNA, said that while he is new to the job, he has a strong familiarity with credit unions. 

PLANO, Texas—A group of economists meeting here as part of Catalyst Corporate FCU’s Economic Forum here said they see no indications the U.S. economy is in danger of returning to recessionary conditions. Addressing more than 300 credit union executives, the economists further forecast an ongoing, gradual, upward climb. Among those economists was Steven Rick, chief economist with CUNA Mutual Group, noted the latest unemployment figure of 5.9% means the U.S. is getting close to the long-run target of 5%.  “Anything below that will create pressure on wage,” he said, adding that the U.S. continues to see more more high quality jobs. In 2014, 75 percent of jobs added were considered “high quality,” versus just 50% in 2013.

AUSTIN, Texas—A new study offers some insights into the top features of mobile banking smart apps.

Malauzai Software’s latest Monkey Insights survey, which it bills as the “little-data" report and which was conducted during August data with 200+ banks & credit unions. Not counting checking, Malauzai said the top five features used in mobile banking are transaction history, internal account transfer history, internal account transfers, check and deposit images, and remote check deposit. “On iPhones, internal transfer history jumps above transaction history. On iPads, check and deposit images are at a much higher percentage than that of smartphones,” the company said

PURCHASE, N.Y.—Quorum FCU has redesigned its website to meet the growing digital needs of its membership—and the change is being met with approval inside the CU’s community and outside.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—Lots of credit unions have student-run branches, but only Freedom CU has a student-built branch.

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Members who swipe their ATM card, take out a loan or simply walk into a branch might pick up an extra $300 from Family First FCU.

ARLINGTON, Va.—Despite economies of scale that come with size, it is federally insured CUs under $1 billion in assets that have shown the greatest improvement in operating expense efficiency since the recession.

AUSTIN, Texas—Tony Budet learned a long time ago that while the credit union’s performance numbers are important, it’s relationships that drive the business.