Branch network

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.

When Eldon Arnold was first hired at Citizens Equity First Credit Union in 1965, there wasn't even a desk for him.

16 CUs Sign With Elan

Credit unions typically are known for lowering costs to their members, so why is one credit union trying to encourage its members to pay more than they have to? Because it's in their best interest, when it comes to making credit card payments.

The Credit Union Journal is announcing its Call for Entries for its Best Practices awards. The Journal published its inaugural Best Practices issue in November 2005 and featured nearly two-dozen peer-leading ideas as selected by the editors.

Sally McKnight, President of Houston Federal Credit Union, said she will retire in June, 2006 after 37 years in credit unions.

While credit card issuing has historically provided substantial revenues to financial services providers, recent changes in a variety of consumer behaviors-including a continued shift to debit cards and growing adoption of prepaid cards-are creating a more challenging revenue environment, according to research by TowerGroup.

RALEIGH, N.C. - (05/11/04) -- Coastal FCU said it signed on to theLoanLink Center, a credit union-owned contact center that allowsmembers to connect to call delivery channels 24-by-seven. LoanLinkCenter helps credit unions grow their lending by providing a broadrange of services that expand and integrate channels, includingInternet, e-mail, fax and telephone. The service, now used by 240credit unions, was developed by CUNA Mutual Group and APPRO Systemsand is owned the two companies and more than 30 state credit unionleagues.

- VALLEY FORGE, Pa.(11/08/00) - Fiserv said its USERS Inc. unit has signedwith Maxxar Corp. to incorporate Maxxar's voice recognitiontechnology into telephone call centers. Under the deal, Maxxar'sCentrum 9000 will offer USERS' clients the ability to utilizeNatural Language Speech Recognition, a feature that simplifiesphone-based services by allowing the caller to make requests andask questions through conversational speech. The feature willenable credit unions to speed their telephone transaction times andimprove member satisfaction by eliminating the need to usetelephone keypad prompts.