Corporate governance

A simple truth sometimes overlooked by branch managers is that leaders are only as good as their teams. In his 10 years managing a branch at the $1-billion State Department FCU, Jesse Bell has learned that it's the most important principle a successful branch manager can adhere to.

Running an effective branch today requires staying on top of the competition, stressed Doris Nabors, who's been at the helm of her America's First Trussville location for 13 years.

For Betty O'Brien, who has managed branches of the $325-million Florida Commerce CU for the last 11 and a half years, a key job of the branch manager is to make sure staff never prejudge members.

When "guests" of a shared branch don't perceive a difference between their own CU and the host credit union, the branch manager is running operations effectively.

When aliens ride past the front lobby in a golf cart and the cast from "Grey's Anatomy" drop by to make a deposit, it's safe to assume that running a branch at First Entertainment CU may be a little different.

What members ask for, and what they need to improve their financial condition, are often two different things. Those who work the front line can attest to that, including Dawn Everton, who runs the Newport News location of the $500-million 1st Advantage FCU.

SAN DIMAS, Calif.-Effective shared branches are run by managers who see the big picture and practice "tough love." Sarah Canepa Bang, president of Financial Service Centers Cooperative (FSCC), told Credit Union Journal that while the branch must educate non-proprietary members on properly using a shared branch, these members have to approach the teller line prepared to do business.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-To members, their credit union isn't a spreadsheet of metrics and ratios, it's the person they talk to on the phone or in the branch. In this issue Credit Union Journal offers the view from the trenches from a dozen branch managers around the country who share what they're hearing and experiencing and the types of strategies that work best at the human level.

Looking to save money? How about a free branch? That's almost possible, contends Bill Goedken, president of Goedken Consulting Group in Sedalia, Colo., who explained how co-branding a location and sharing space with another retailer can cover the operating costs for an office.

Diana Eyhorn, manager of the Portland branch of the $1-billion NavyArmy FCU, has been a member of the local Chamber of Commerce board for years, and she says it not only is something she enjoys doing, it gives her credit union branch an advantage.

Looking to improve branch efficiency? Let members schedule their own appointments. That's one way efficient CUs are reducing costs and focusing staff on more productive tasks in today's ROA-challenged environment, shared Bob Tramontano, VP-marketing for NCR Financial Services.

In her 16 years running the Oroville branch of Butte FCU, Betty Vance has never seen greater consumer understanding of the credit union difference as she does today.

Sweetwater Regional FCU is doing whatever it can to grant loans to members struggling to pay bills, including holding a guitar as collateral for a $3,000 signature loan.

SAN DIEGO – San Diego County CU extended its title sponsorship of the Poinsettia Bowl for a sixth year, through 2012.

PROVO, Utah – Utah Community CU announced yesterday it has struck a $2.5 million sponsorship deal with local Utah Valley University, under which it will add its name to the university’s events center.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Space Coast CU, which expanded into the Miami market with last year’s acquisition of failed Eastern Financial Florida CU, was given permission by state regulators to expanded further south into Florida’s Keys.

MECHANICSBURG, Penn.-AmeriChoice FCU has launched a "My AmeriChoice Story" campaign featuring videotaped stories from members about how the credit union has helped them reach financial goals.

BEL AIR, Md.-A year after debuting its 24/7 call center, Freedom FCU is making changes it hopes will both deliver better member service and cut costs.

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – MidFirst CU has set its sights on a wider membership base and is changing its name to MidUSA CU.

BATAVIA, Ohio-A 5% APY CD turned out to be the perfect promo to cap off Sharefax CU's 50th anniversary celebration.