Branch banking

In celebration of International Credit Union Day, CU Journal presents its 22nd annual photo essay showcasing "the credit union difference" in action.

From increased cellphone usage to shifts in consumer expectations, two longtime executives look back on how the day-to-day business of running an institution has changed in recent decades.

Bank groups that lobbied unsuccessfully for the rent waivers credit unions receive now back a bill that would create equal rates for both industries.

The Pittsburgh company’s “branch lite” approach to retail and middle-market banking in new markets will break even sooner than expected and has had a noticeable impact on loans and deposits.

They’ve long used their marketing muscle to wrest deposit share from smaller competitors. Now, amid growing concerns that the economy is weakening, they could be benefiting from consumers’ flight to safety.

Vocalink beat out four other competing bids to secure a 10-year contract to provide real-time switching and settlements for U.K. ATM operator Link Scheme.

Northern California utility company PG&E recently shut off power to more than 2 million consumers, meaning some insitutions had to move quickly to minimize the outages' impact on operations.

One Wisconsin credit union's foray into a community of just 2,500 people has been a success, and it could be a template for other institutions to follow.

Some credit unions are experimenting with ambient scenting – adding distinctive but unobtrusive smells – in their branches. While those fragrances are meant to reinforce the institution’s brand, they could also have unintended negative effects.

Cash is not dead, but the burdens of ensuring access threaten to break long-standing ecosystems that sustain traditional payments.