Branch network

Columbia Credit Union in Vancouver, Wash., has expanded into neighboring Oregon as the CU continues to eye other opportunities to offer its services beyond its 12 branches in Clark County.

Most credit union industry insiders and experts agree that technology has shaped branching strategy in recent years as many locations have become smaller, with fewer teller lines and more space for consultation.

From 'visioning sessions' to using technology to decrease the footprint of each branch, credit unions remain cautions with members' money when it comes to expanding their branch networks.

The CEOs of banks that operate only online argued Thursday that their model is the way of the future. Not so fast, responded the heads of some of the nation's largest banks.

After a body was found outside of a branch of Mountain America Credit Union, the Salt Lake City-based credit union is dealing with the fallout of being stuck in the middle of a murder investigation.

Instead of shuttering poor-performing locations, this Idaho CU is plumbing the demographics of who uses each of its branches to customize each one to the target audience in that particular area.

TCF Financial in Minnesota has launched a set of products targeting low-income customers. The company, which has closed a fifth of its branches in recent years, hopes underbanked clients will boost traffic at its remaining locations.

Coin-counting machines came into vogue in the 1990s when Commerce Bank started installing "Penny Arcades" in its branches throughout New Jersey. They were a huge hit for a while. Ex-Commerce CEO Vernon Hill used to credit the presence of coin counters for helping to drive deposit growth at his bank in the early 2000s. But banks have soured on the machines in recent years as usage declined and maintenance costs increased. Capital One pulled the plug on its machines in 2014 and two of its rivals, TD Bank and PNC Bank, followed suit this year. Here are some milestone moments in coin-counting history.

SAN ANTONIO — Security Service Federal Credit Union's member contact center was named one of the top 100 medium-sized call centers throughout North America for 2016, according to BenchmarkPortal.

MADISON, Wis. — The World Council of Credit Unions has initiated earthquake relief efforts to credit unions and their members following Saturday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Ecuador's northern coast.