WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.-With credit unions likely adding more fees in 2011 to compensate for growing revenue pressures, there are ways to soften the impact and keep member satisfaction high — just ask the banks.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.-There are five key factors drive bank customer satisfaction, and most top-performing banks are doing well in all but one, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

After experiencing a decline in customer satisfaction and image scores in 2010, banks are making a comeback, according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates study.

NAFCU Holds Board Elections

MARION, Ind.-For many parents, the only thing scarier than putting the car keys in a teenager's hand is putting a credit card in those same hands. Afena FCU here is determined to change that-and throw in an incentive for local schools — with its student credit card program.

RIVERSIDE, Calif.-Few credit unions have as much experience in performing cost/benefit analyses on branches as does the $726-million Altura CU here.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-Identifying whether or not a branch is performing well or not is not a mysterious process, according to Terence Roche.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-Terence Roche, principal with Cornerstone Advisors, offered these three points for making branches more profitable.

CINCINNATI-Two companies are working with several credit unions to make in-lobby wait times not just less unpleasant, but almost enjoyable, while gathering member feedback in the process.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-It is a mistake to simply measure a branch's performance according to the number of products is sells or cross-sells, according to Mike Kohl, president and CEO of the Kohl Advisory Group, especially if the credit union really doesn't have a handle on the profitability of those products.

Paul Lucas, a branding and marketing consultant, urged credit unions to take a look at whether marketing is doing the "right thing" to support a particular branch, or whether marketing efforts are promoting some branches at the expense of others.

SEATTLE-The key to measuring branch profitability demands an understanding of what constitutes good performance, what is bad performance, and having numbers going back at least three or four years, according to Paul Seibert, VP financial services for EHS Design.

Class Of Development Educators Graduate

American 1 Acquires Troubled CU

BOSTON-There is no blueprint for the branch of the future, but a new study from Celent, "Branch Banking in a Multi-Channel World, Part II: The Many Faces of Change," points to some common trends among the emerging models.

WASHINGTON-Republican lawmakers increased their efforts last week to water-down the fledgling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as they seek to block an expected Obama administration nomination of consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren to head the newly created agency.

Breach At Michaels Stores Cancellation of Debit Cards

WASHINGTON-Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Senators he is doubtful the Fed can develop a rule adequately protecting CUs and small banks from the cuts in debit fees mandated for the biggest banks.

Stan Baron, CEO of Chetco FCU, recently announced his retirement after 40 years with credit unions. He shares his thoughts on his career, management lessons learned, and what may be ahead for credit unions.

Reports received from the Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana credit union leagues stated at press time that no credit unions were expected to be in jeopardy due to flooding.