First-responder Credit Union Newsroom

      College football, 101 College football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, drawing more than 30 million fans in stadiums each season and generating billions in annual revenue through ticket sales, media rights, and merchandising.  Since the first game about 150 years ago , the elite level of the sport has grown to 136 teams in Division I FBS (that is, the Football Bowl Subdivision)—essentially college football’s top league. College football generates major revenue for universities, with total FBS operating revenues amounting to over $11.8B in 2024 . The athletes are amateurs, enrolled as students at their universities while on the football team. College football blends school spirit , deep-rooted rivalries , and regional...

MCLEAN, Va.--Mortgage rates moved slightly lower this week, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 6.56%, Freddie Mac reported. “Mortgage rates are at a 10-month low,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Purchase demand continues to rise on the back of lower rates and solid economic growth. Though many potential homebuyers still face affordability challenges, consistently lower rates may provide them with the impetus to enter the market.” The 30-year FRM averaged 6.56% as of Aug. 28, down from last week when it averaged 6.58%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.35%. The 15-year FRM averaged 5.69%, unchanged from last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.51%, Freddie Mac said. ____________________________________________ Check out NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

In an ongoing effort to keep your FRCUA education current, modules are continually updated to reflect current NCUA and other regulatory agency requirements. As an example, BSA 26 now includes  Artificial Intelligence and BSA,  Elder Financial Exploitation,  Pig Butchering & BSA, and Executive Order –  Free and Fair Banking.

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  COLUMBUS, Wis.— The U.S. housing market is bracing for what could be its steepest correction in more than a decade, as swelling inventories, slumping demand, and rising distress signals point to years of declining prices, according to a stark new outlook from Michael Eisenga, CEO of First American Properties. “Home prices across the nation are entering a prolonged period of downward adjustment,” said Eisenga. “What we’re seeing is not just a temporary slowdown—it’s the beginning of a broader recalibration that could last for years.” Michael Eisenga Housing inventory has jumped nearly 30% year-over-year, while transaction volumes have hit record lows during what are typically peak sales seasons, indicating softening demand, Eisenga said. Distressed and motivated selling are on the rise. An increasing number of homeowners, including those previously holding out, are now listing their properties amid rising delinquency rates reminiscent of pre-2008 indicators. There are projected ho...

  Microplastics, explained Microplastics , or MPs, are tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters long and have become one of Earth's most widespread pollutants. Like synthetic plastics, MPs are mostly made of long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms, formed by linking byproducts of refining crude oil and natural gas ( watch explainer ). Other chemical additives may be incorporated to modify the final product’s properties. Primary MPs, such as microbeads commonly found in exfoliating cosmetic products, are intentionally manufactured to be small. Secondary MPs, like those released while washing synthetic textiles, form from the breakdown of larger plastics and make up the bulk of MPs in the environment ( learn why plastic doesn't biodegrade ). As of 2024, the FDA claims there is insufficient evidence  that MPs pose any human health risk, though initial biochemical studies have linked them to inflammation and hormone disruption. ... Read our full explainer on micro...

Andrew Pilecki, the current fire chief of Wendelville Volunteer Fire Company, has been re-elected to the board of directors of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York. Pilecki has been a member of the fire service for more than four decades, including the past 22 years as a responder with the Wendelville company. Previously he was an active member of Columbia Hook and Ladder Co. He’s also a former assistant director of emergency management for the City of North Tonawanda. FASNY directors serve five-year terms of office. During his first term, Pilecki was instrumental in supporting the association’s pandemic response, championed fire company recruitment and retention efforts, and worked to amplify the needs of Western New York’s volunteer fire service at the state level, according to FASNY. “I’m honored to be re-elected and to continue advocating for the men and women who volunteer their time, risk their safety and serve their communities across the state,” Pilecki said. “...

  The   Dow Jones Industrial Average  rallied to an all-time high Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled the central bank  could begin easing monetary policy  next month. The Dow climbed 846.24 points, or 1.89%, reaching a fresh high and closing at a record level of 45,631.74. The  S&P 500  rose 1.52% to end at 6,466.91. At its session high, the broad market index came within three points of its record. The  Nasdaq Composite  gained 1.88% and settled at 21,496.53. Shares of megacap technology stocks soared on Powell’s comments.  Nvidia  added 1.7%, while  Meta Platforms  jumped more than 2%.  Alphabet  and  Amazon  each climbed more than 3%.  Tesla  shares jumped about 6%. In a tepid speech at the central bank’s annual conclave in Jackson Hole, Wyo., Powell said that “the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance.” The Fed...

  Reading Up On Recessions       Background Stemming from the Latin word “recessus” (meaning “a retreat”), recessions are  sustained periods  of declining activity in a country’s economy. During a recession, unemployment rises while economic output falls across a large swath of industries. Recessions are inevitable in modern economies, with one occurring about every six to seven years ( What causes recessions ?).   One common definition of a recession is when a country logs two consecutive quarters of shrinking gross domestic product, but in practice, ...

  08/18/2025 06:05 pm         By Ray Birch MADISON, Wis.—Executive compensation at credit unions is continuing to rise at a healthy clip—even in the face of an uncertain economy—and there’s little sign of the trend slowing. That’s the key takeaway from the 2025 Executive Compensation Survey Report from CUES, according to Sharon Messmore, the organization’s product and services manager. Messmore called the situation a “hard balance” for credit unions: while economic conditions might suggest a need to rein in expenses, the pressure to retain top leadership is winning out. iStock-nyul “Credit unions don’t want their top executives to leave for banks, other industries, or even other credit unions,” she said. “They are increasing pay as part of keeping them there.” From 2024 to 2025, the average base salary for credit union CEOs rose 7.6%, while total compensation—including bonuses—was up 5.9%. While slightly below last year’s pace for total compensation growth, the ...