Growth strategies

Warren FCU decided to do something novel when it sought to establish market share in Laramie, Wyo., a town about 50 miles away from its Cheyenne headquarters.

The Kansas and Missouri Credit Union Associations are hashing out a new alignment that would join the two state leagues together. But whatever you call it, don't call it a merger.

OSHKOSH, Wis. — An unusual merger strategy here has been a roaring success as well as a learning experience for all parties involved.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A campaign to boost usage of e-services not only hit the mark with clever marketing, but taught organizers some lessons about digital outreach.

TAMPA, Fla. — In an effort to encourage physical fitness among its membership and local community, GTE Financial CU has offered a cash incentive for individuals who exercise, lose weight and shed belly-fat.

The CUNA Operations, Sales and Service Council has released a new white paper on member outreach and engagement.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Internet Archive Federal Credit Union (IAFCU), a $2.8-million CU aimed at serving the burgeoning Mexican immigrant community here, is helping immigrants get their Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN), their "passport" to legally working in the U.S.

BUTTE, Mont. — The members of $69 million EDTECH Credit Union voted to merge their CU into $607 million Horizon Credit Union, Spokane Valley, Wash.

BERLIN, N.H. — Guardian Angel Credit Union's members approved a proposed merger with $2.4 billion Service CU, Portsmouth, N.H.

AUBURN HILLS Mich. — Genisys CU and Tri-Pointe Community CU announced Wednesday they intend to merge and then operate under the Genisys name.

DECATUR, Ill. — Land of Lincoln CU has absorbed the former Sangamo Chapter CU and now offers products and services to all those who live or work in Sangamon County, Ill.

Sun Center FCU in LaGrange, Ohio, is merging with Firefighters Community CU, Cleveland.

Mountain America Credit Union, in West Jordan, Utah, and Les Bois Credit Union, in Les Bois, Idaho, will merge effective Jan. 1. Mountain America will have 82 branches, making it the country's fifth largest CU branch network.

The members of Elcose FCU here have voted to merge with nearby INOVA FCU.

A new year will mean a new identity for Tobyhanna FCU here, which is set to rebrand itself as Valor Credit Union, effective Jan. 5, 2015.

HERNDON, Va. — A discovery process during a core conversion uncovered the ability of Northwest Federal Credit Union to enhance its online mortgage servicing capability, resulting in a nearly 50% increased user rate.

President Obama's executive action on immigration — a measure that, if enacted, would give an estimated 5.2 million undocumented immigrants some protection against deportation — could eventually provide U.S. credit unions with additional business from a largely ignored and under-served segment of the population.

NORTH GRAFTON, Mass. — Grafton Suburban Credit Union members voted recently to change the CU's name to Homefield Credit Union, reflecting the credit union's growth into neighboring communities.

OTTUMWA, Iowa — Last year, Community 1st Credit Union wanted to find a way to increase the number of members who considered the CU their primary financial institution.

POTTSTOWN, Pa. — As a community-chartered credit union, one of Diamond Credit Union's growth strategies is expanding its branch network.