The NCUA board of directors yesterday approved a proposed rule that would raise the threshold for commercial real estate loans needing appraisals to $1 million from $250,000– The Point

 Olean Area FCU was recently awarded a Biz Kid$ Financial Education grant from the National Credit Union Foundation. In addition, a number of New York and Puerto Rican credit unions received grants from the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund – The Point

 The New York Credit Union Association and the law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC will be offering a complimentary webinar next Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 12:30 p.m. to explain the state’s new sexual harassment prevention requirements – The Point

 Traditional financial institutions have a real reason to fear Amazon’s potential foray into banking – Fortune

 Voice fraud rates climbed more than 350 percent since 2013 across several industries, including in financial services – CU Times

 U.S. customer satisfaction rose to the second highest level in the 25-year history of the survey during the second quarter, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index – Bloomberg

 U.S. home sales decreased in August but inventory increased for the first time in three years as the housing market continued to struggle despite strength across the broader economy – Reuters

 A number of witnesses told the Senate banking committee that fintech companies should be regulated in the same manner as traditional financial institutions – CUToday

 There are growing signs that the IRS is emerging as a major roadblock to expanding the marijuana industry, even in states where it is legal – New York’s State of Mind