DENVER-While mystery shopping can play a role in improving the member/customer experience, it does not measure satisfaction at credit unions and banks, according to Prime Performance.

Single-Step Color Printing Debuts

CHARELSTON, W.Va.-Pioneer West Virginia CU is paying members to use the credit union's debit card.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-Count Carolina Postal Credit Union as among those seeing an increase in consumer inquiries and memberships-and not just due to the zombies.

BURLINGTON, Vt.-Some management at New England FCU here recently displayed skills not often required at credit unions-the ability to captain a Giant Pumpkin. Lori Duncan, administrative assistant with New England FCU, shares details on the event.

Interest Rates On CDs To Decline

HOUSTON-Shell Federal Credit Union has created this spot that mimics a movie trailer. "In a world where bank fees are running rampant, there is a not-for-profit that dares to fight back," says the voiceover. Rapidly changing graphics backed by sound effects then begin to list various benefits available with credit union membership, including low fees and 43,000 "free ATM locations." Voiceover then continues, "Live or work in Harris County? Bank with us."

LAS VEGAS-During ACUMA's Annual Conference here, Credit Union Journal asked attendees about overall mortgage lending, credit quality of applicants, and about any issues related to appraisals.

CHICAGO-A new solution is being offered to make it easier for non-members to "switch" to a credit union.

WASHINGTON-In testimony to Congress last week, John Fenton, president and CEO of Affinity FCU in Basking Ridge, N.J., said the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage could become a thing of the past if the federal government does not have a significant role in housing finance.

SCRANTON, Penn.-Tobyhanna FCU has rolled out a "Divorce Your Bank" campaign, the latest credit union capitalizing on the anti-bank fervor.

TJX, HEARTLAND HACKER SAYS:

ST. PAUL/ MINNEAPOLIS-Wings Financial CU, the state's largest credit union, has taken to the air with a new advertising campaign that first appeared during the premier of ABC's new series, "Pan Am."

Funds Flow To Flood Victims

HICKORY, N.C.-Fittingly for the Halloween season, Carolina Postal CU here is seeing great success with a zombie-themed promotion.

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Six months after launching it's "Ditch Your Bank" campaign, Affinity Plus FCU here is seeing continued membership growth, this time thanks to new fees from the big banks.

TUKWILA, Wash.-Call them "Feeless In Seattle," the former bank customers who were flocking to BECU even before Wells Fargo and Bank of America announced a user charge for debit cards.

BETHPAGE, N.Y.-Bethpage FCU announced last week it would offer no-fee checking "for life."

RIDGECREST, Calif.-Here on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, on lonely Highway 395 between Mojave and Mammoth, "prompt" is a relative term.

RIDGECREST, Calif.-When it comes to managing growth at a small credit union-where the numbers can be skewed more easily-the advice from Eric Bruen is simple: don't get in over your head.