State chartered credit unions should compare these lists to their products they currently offer to determine which products should be subject to UBIT, but more importantly, how the credit unions could benefit from this new directive by maximizing fee income.

As we start into 2014, it looks like the current climate is one where we are going to start to see merger conversations ramp up. There appears to be several reasons why these mergers are happening (or why discussions are ensuing). Amongst them are:

In honor of our 50th year in business, GT would like to reflect on the past and the client relationships we have been fortunate to have created. In this article we would like to place a spotlight on two of the longest standing managers we have had the pleasure of working with; Brad Davis of Gold-Eagle Cooperative in Goldfield, Iowa and Michael Whittie of Federal Employees Credit Union in Des Moines, Iowa.

Debt capital is your borrowed funds. The amount of debt on your company’s balance sheet is a critical number. Typically a sign of success is when a balance sheet shows the amount of long term debt decreasing for one or more years. Too much debt can be a strain on earnings, and a sign of a struggling company. That said, debt used to fund profitable growth can drive greater earnings for your company.

Credit unions have seen their profitability stabilize in 2013 when compared to 2012. Through the first six months of 2013, credit unions have maintained a return on assets of 0.84%. Interest yields are expected to remain steady for both loans and investments. CUNA believes that there will be no NCUA corporate assessment in 2014.

Occupational fraud is a scheme in which an employee abuses the trust placed in him or her by an employer for personal gain. Its formal definition is: The use of one’s occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse or misapplication of the employing organization’s resources or assets.