Growth strategies

TUKWILLA, Wash.–To effectively cross sell a new member at signup, the front-line team must consistently follow five steps.

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine credit unions will hit the airwaves throughout 2012 with a multi-channeled marketing program, including a second year of “Young & Free Maine.”

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A new team of superheroes is hitting the area’s billboards – life-sized comic book characters that are going to tout the Pen Air FCU message throughout 2012.

ROCKY HILL, Conn. – Nutmeg State FCU has selected six members who will carry its message through a local television ad campaign as the credit union’s “Super Fans.”

Dow Louisiana FCU has seen strong loan growth thanks to a sales culture based around what one executive calls "revolutionary service."

MIDLAND, Mich. – Members First CU has applied to state regulators to combine with Central Michigan Community FCU in nearby Clare, which would create a $300-million credit union.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commerce CU has launched an investment services CUSO, Six Pillars Financial, that will offer financial planning, insurance and investment services.

OMAHA, Neb. – Nine credit unions and the Nebraska CU League are launching a new savings contest that will offer a $25,000 grand prize as part of an inducement to new member savings.

There are four words that kill growth at any credit union: Always, Never, Everybody and Nobody.

Credit unions in the United States should take note of the power of collaborative marketing campaigns. That was the message from a panel of marketers that included visitors from Guatemala and founders of a company that applies neuroscience to marketing.

TAMPA, Fla. – Grow Financial FCU has signed with local ad firm Rumbo Marketing to plan and launch a branding campaign.

RICHARDSON, Texas – Texans CU has signed with INVEST Financial Corp. to provide its members with brokerage and investment services.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Insight CU on Tuesday said it completed its merger with Florida Episcopal FCU, an insolvent $3-million credit union, giving it a new base for membership growth in Central Florida.

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Scott CU, a one-time defense credit union that now serves all of southwest Illinois, is seeking to establish its footprint in neighboring Missouri.

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. – On Jan. 1., United Federal Credit Union here officially completed the purchase of Griffith Savings Bank, Griffith, Ind.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – CommonWealth One FCU here has launched a “Member Showroom Auto Buying Service.”

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Navy FCU and Pen Air FCU are partnering to finance a $13.2-million hotel project at Pensacola International Airport here.

SEATTLE-The benefits of the consumer sentiment that led to Bank Transfer Day continue to be felt at $9.6-billion BECU-including a 74% year-over-year increase in November over one year earlier.

SHEFFIELD, Ala.-Listerhill CU here has launched the website www.Iheartmycreditunion.org as a way not only to boost its own traffic, but to capitalize on growing public interest in credit unions.

SLEEPY EYE, Minn.-Investment in product training is paying dividends at SouthPoint FCU here, which is approaching an average of four products per member.