Corporate governance

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.

SAN ANTONIO – United SA FCU has introduced an investment services division.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Technology CU has introduced a suite of student banking products for high school and college age kids it hopes will help tap into the youth market.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-Just as Snickers turned to Betty White to provide a big hit for sales, one credit union here is hoping she can spark more interest in its products.

MoneyWorks — a marketing program to attract new members via at — home parties-is back in the Filene research lab to be enhanced.

Credit unions talk a great deal about the advantages of CU membership; soon they will be able to show members, on paper, what that value is.

To build member loyalty and reward good financial habits, Lift is a software program that allows the credit union to automatically lower interest rates annually for members who make payments on time.

In the not-too-distant future, credit unions could be the place landlords look to find responsible renters.