Growth strategies

WEST COVINA, Calif. – First Financial CU announced yesterday a new in-house auto buying service that will offer discounts on purchases, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance and Guaranteed Auto Protection.

HARRISBURG, Penn.-As many credit unions struggle to find revenue sources to keep pace with assessments and regulation, Pennsylvania State Employees CU is enjoying its best year ever in terms of net earnings.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Space Coast CU, the state’s second-largest credit union, has applied to state regulators to expand both north – to Martin County – and south – to Monroe County, which covers the 120-mile string of islands south of Miami known as the Keys.

CHICAGO – Echoing comments heard one week earlier at the 1 Credit Union Conference hosted by CUNA and WOCCU, credit unions attending NAFCU’s Annual Convention here also expressed a desire to do more to tell their story at a time when consumer pessimism related to banks has never been higher.

WEST CHESTER, Penn.-If Joe Prunty were a credit union CEO, he'd prefer to retain 15 profitable account holders rather than sign up 100 new members.

CANTON, Ohio-First Ohio Community FCU plans to keep on asking members questions.

LAS VEGAS-The story of Bernard LaChance should be an inspirations, according to Denise Gabel, chief innovation officer for the Filene Research Institute.

LAS VEGAS-Credit unions in Australia are preparing a national advertising campaign to lift their profile and overcome a seemingly hardheaded attitude displayed by their countrymen.

BRISBANE, Australia – The largest credit union in this county has announced it plans to double its assets under management to approximately $16-billion over the next three to five years.

BALTIMORE-The 5% decline in overall CU lending in the first quarter has one vendor predicting that more credit unions will focus on non-lending products to drive revenue.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.-Consumers are disillusioned with banks, yet many don't believe there is an alternative or that they are eligible to join a credit union. CO-OP Financial Services is seeking to bridge that divide.

PITTSBURGH-It takes more than hiring Spanish-speaking employees to effectively serve the Hispanic community.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.-With deposit rates so low, Michigan Services CU here is looking to its members to provide stronger returns while keeping the credit union on strong footing.

JOLIET, Ill.-Employees of NuMark CU have been spreading cash-and the credit union word-among small businesses here.

EUGENE, Ore.-After much role playing and interaction, Oregon Community began implementing a new, proactive approach to engaging with members in the early part of 2010.

IOWA CITY, Iowa-One credit union here is crediting its own employees for $3 million in additional earnings in 2009 and ROA of 2.1%.

SMITHFIELD, RI-When staff salaries are flat or even reduced, employee recognition programs play larger roles in the credit union's success.

BLUE BELL, Penn. – State regulators approved an application from Norristown Bell CU to convert from a multiple group credit union to a community charter serving the 800,000 residents of surrounding Montgomery County.

HESPERIA, Calif. – Vons CU plans to open a new branch inside a Vons supermarket here, just as local Arrowhead Central CU is selling its branch to out-of-state credit union giant Alaska USA FCU.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Alaska USA FCU on Saturday completed its acquisition of four branches from Arrowhead Central CU, even as NCUA was taking over the troubled one-time $1.1 billion credit union.