Branch network

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - CO-OP Shared Branching, a division of CO-OP Financial Services, reported it has developed "CO-OP Fast Branch," a self-service kiosk that supplies more services than a conventional ATM, including deposits by check (no envelopes, no deposit slips), withdrawals by check, loan payments and advances.

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. - People's Alliance Federal Credit Union is trying to make sure that anyone eligible for membership knows it.

VIENNA, Va. - With the opening of four new branches in Atlanta, Navy Federal Credit Union has found a way to grow its membership while sticking close to its military heritage.

Over the last five years branch networking has exploded. As more and more credit union branches are built, I've noticed one consistent flaw. Most credit unions are skipping the final, most critical step in opening a new or remodeled facility-educating their employees.

PADUCAH, Ky. - Credit unions searching for new members or a stronger community image might fare better looking to their past instead of advice from a high-powered design team.

SAN FRANCISCO - Credit unions looking to cut costs and increase efficiencies at their branches may want to take a page from the credit union movement's overarching cooperative spirit and apply it to branch management.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - When it comes time to decide between building new or working with you have, return on investment (ROI) is a big part of the equation-but there are some hidden things that can factor into the equation as well.

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - As credit unions race to expand their branch networks, they need to beware of cannibalizing their existing branches and even undermining their own brand.

LAS VEGAS - There are indirect members and there are credit union branches, and often the twain never do meet.

MARIETTA, Ga. - Why is branching still king? Because not only are branches a primary way members measure convenience, but they should also be one of your best marketing tools.

With declining net interest margins, rising operating expenses and unprecedented merger and acquisition activity, credit unions face a challenging landscape to remain competitive.

PITTSBURGH - Credit unions talk about "marketing on a shoestring," but can branch expansion be done on a shoestring?

ST. LOUIS - The economy isn't the only thing that's cyclical: credit union branching should be, too.

ST. LOUIS - Building a branch and putting out a "Se habla Espanol" sign isn't enough.

* OCTFCU, Santa Ana, Calif., plans to open new branches in Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands and San Bernardino.

The "Dead Zone" isn't just a paranormal television show-it's also that wasted space in your branch that isn't contributing to your ROA. But you can vanquish these vacuums, according to several facilities experts.

We're interested in making our buildings "green," but builders tell us the materials are hard to come by or really expensive. We thought this would help us save money in the long term, but the short-term pain has my board questioning this strategy. Any suggestions?

ACCU Opens 1950s Diner Facility

We're embarking on our first major foray into expanding our branch network. We know we want to measure each branch's productivity but how do we set the initial benchmarks, the initial goals for these new branches?

In-store branches have increased their appeal among consumers, according to a recent study by Synergistics Research, a provider of multi-sponsor marketing research for the financial services industry.