Growth strategies

MANSFIELD, Texas – Texas Trust CU is offering a cure for what it is calling the FEE Syndrome associated with large banks: a $155 payment when consumers open a Free & Flexible checking account.

COLUMBIA, Md. – The Maryland & DC CU Association this week launched a new, five-week advertising and marketing campaign featuring radio, digital outdoor banners and online spots.

TOTOWA, N.J.-North Jersey FCU here has grown its share of business accounts after holding its first-ever small business summit, with at least one sizeable loan in the pipeline as a result.

BOULDER, Colo.-Not every credit union sees the need to have a formal "switch kit." Dennis Paul, AVP with the $966-million Elevations Credit Union, here, noted that what ECU lacks in such a kit, it makes up for with a well-established procedure when a bank customer comes in and wants to join.

PARCHMENT, Mich.-First Community FCU said it will return an estimated $200,000 to members as part of a three-month debit card campaign called "Skip the Fee, Swipe for FREE."

CHATSWORTH, Calif.-Matadors Community CU views its switch kit as a marketing tool, especially in light of the fees big banks are levying on their customers.

TUMWATER, Wash.-O Bee Credit Union is tapping into consumer discontent with banks by making them laugh, and then having a switch kit at the ready.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich.-OMNI Community CU is giving away $3,000 to drive new checking accounts, incent debit usage, and promote use of its switch service that's deepening relationships.

HARRISBURG, Penn.-One CU believes Bank Transfer Day is going to be such a big deal it's paying staff overtime to come in on Nov. 5.

SAN JOSE, Calif.-San Jose Credit Union plans to open its branches on Saturday, Nov. 5 to take advantage of "Bank Transfer Day."

SAN DIEGO-San Diego County Credit Union has two switch kits-one online and one featuring a concierge service-as it attempts to quickly build solid relationships.

RALEIGH, N.C.-As switch kits evolve away from paper packets and become more automated, one credit union is cautioning that if too much of the human touch is lost, the tool becomes ineffective.

TACOMA, Wash.-Add Sound Credit Union to the list of CUs that are benefitting from the fallout raining down on banks.

SLEEPY EYE, Minn.-SouthPoint FCU here may have won a Crystal Performance Award from Raddon and been recognized for its sales and service by CUNA's OpSS Council, but one area the CU could improve is its switch kit for new members.

HOOVER, Ala.-Four years into its switch kit and Alabama Telco still holds the same opinion about what makes the tool work-handling as much of the process as possible for the member.

LAKE MARY, Fla.-A number of analysts are concerned that credit unions in their rush to embrace Bank Transfer Day may end up having "transferred" numerous unprofitable new members.

PLYMOUTH, Minn.-A small group of members has a much better understanding of their credit union's inner workings after attending a "Behind the Scenes" day at TruStone Financial FCU here.

TEMPE, Ariz.-TruWest Credit Union says members appreciate its old school approach and its paper switch kits, but it also is working on electronic forms and mobile access.

SAN DIEGO-Credit unions across the country last week were busy rolling out marketing messages to take advantage of Bank Transfer Day on Nov. 5.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jefferson County Employees CU has dropped the county employees from its name and now is known as Jefferson CU to reflect a broader field of membership.