Growth strategies

Brandon Michaels, president and CEO of $476-million Mazuma Credit Union, believes if an organization does not get culture right, "nothing else matters."

When $476-million Mazuma CU had nine positions to fill, it wanted to let potential applicants know exactly what they were getting into-as it does not regard itself as having the "typical banking environment."

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Summit FCU has introduced a promotion aimed at helping members transfer loans from high-cost predatory lenders to the credit union.

LANSING, Mich. – A member of Lake Trust CU is the winner of MasterCard’s 2012 Priceless New York Sweepstakes and he and his wife will enjoy a four day, three night trip to New York City, as well as a show, dinner, guided tour, a $2,000 MasterCard gift card and $7,500 cash--all valued at $22,500.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Legislation that would allow state chartered credit unions to pay their directors has moved through the Senate and is advancing towards a vote in the House, as credit unions around the country look for new ways to recruit members of their boards.

SEATTLE – Six credit unions have joined to offer $5,000 monthly prizes and a $5,000 annual prize for the state’s Save To Win lottery, the fourth state to offer the savings contest.

RICHMOND, Ind. – Natco CU plans to open a community center to provide assistance and resources designed to help area consumers achieve economic empowerment.

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – TDECU Real Estate is adding two new offices, giving it a total of four.

NOVI, Mich. – Telcom CU, a one-time telephone workers credit union, has changed its name to Vibe CU, incorporating a modern version of the credit union’s historical roots in telecommunications.

Credit Union Journal has unveiled the line-up for its upcoming Grow Show here, with nearly two-dozen speakers sharing their proven strategies for driving growth.

Partners FCU says that a sales and service culture, high cross-selling and pushing a three-year plan down through the organization helped propel it to success in 2012, and that those same strategies in 2013 will drive similar results.

The pace of change within the financial services industry has never been greater than it is today-all the more reason why credit unions need to look outside the industry for new ideas and business approaches to remain viable.

After record earnings in 2012, $3.8-billion Patelco Credit Union has installed "The Member Giveback" for qualified members in 2013.

Brooks FCU is seeing impressive product penetration rates with new members.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Kern Schools FCU has signed with SaveDaily to provide self-directed investment options to its online users.

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – NCUA said this afternoon that Kinecta FCU has acquired the remnants of I.C.E. FCU, a one-time $7 million Inglewood-based credit union that failed last week.

MADISON, Wis. – Summit CU announced an agreement to acquire Milwaukee’s Veterans’ Administration CU, a $15-million credit union with a single branch inside the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.

WICHITA, Kan. -- Central Star CU is inviting the community to “Get Naked...Checking”—as part of a new promotional campaign for its free checking accounts.

BROCKTON, Mass. – Members of HarborOne CU have approved the $1.9 billion credit union’s conversion to bank, the biggest credit union charter switch ever.

LIVONIA, Mich. – The Michigan CU League’s CU Solutions Group said it is introducing Credit Union Auto Club, a roadside assistance service, to its Invest In America discount program.