Hope Community CU CEO Bill Bynum was the only credit union official among several finance industry representatives that discussed various approaches to boosting small business lending during a Dec. 22 meeting with President Barack Obama and key members of his economic team.

The expansive legislative agenda, which was led in 2009 by the administration of President Barack Obama and congressional leaders, has led to sweeping regulatory changes and, for many lobbying groups, including CUNA, increased levels of activity.

Susan Streifel, incumbent from Woodstone CU, Federal Way, Wash., has been elected to the CUNA Board in District 6, Class A. Also, CUNA is conducting two special elections for other board seats.

World Council of Credit Unions, together with the global credit union movement, applauded the United Nations General Assembly’s vote Friday proclaiming 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives.

A dispute between CUNA Mutual Insurance Society and credit unions looking to recover losses related to fraud at CU National Mortgage Corp. has moved to U.S. District Court in Madison, Wis., from state court.

In observance of the holidays, CUNA’s Washington, D.C., and Madison, Wis., offices will be closed Thursday and Friday. News Now will not post editions those days and will resume regular publication on Monday.

Sunday’s H&FF Radio program helps consumers make wise charitable giving decisions, assist young adult children with their money challenges, and create realistic spending plans.

A bill to increase credit union member business lending to 25% of assets was introduced Monday in the Senate by Sens. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Kirsten Gillebrand (D-N.Y.). CUNA strongly supports the measure.

The United Nations has passed a resolution declaring 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives–the first time the international body has made such a declaration.

Assets and shares at California credit unions were up in the third quarter, according to the California Department of Financial Institutions’ Quarterly Report.