VERNON HILLS, Ill.-Baxter CU optimized its PIN networks, and the result is that now PIN debit is generating revenue for the credit union instead of costing money.

ROCKLEDGE, Fla.-How many employees does it take to run the credit union? One CU says it has a system that precisely answers that.

SALT LAKE CITY-With delinquencies and charge-offs becoming an increasingly important issue in recent years due to the weight of bad loans on balance sheets, Deseret First Credit Union has improved its loan analysis.

DEARBORN, Mich.-DFCU Financial has squeezed inefficiencies from its operations to the point that it will be able to pay out the associated savings in the form of its largest CU patronage dividend ever.

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-ESL FCU improved its member satisfaction rating and increased teller transaction speed shortly after it converted to a new core system.

RUTLAND, Vt.-One credit union boosted cross-sales 60% by sending staff to the races.

LOWELL, Mass-Jeanne D'Arc CU went from completing 12 department-level and companywide projects a year to 76 in 2009-including constructing a new headquarters-by employing a project management portal.

WEST JORDAN, Utah-As Mountain America Credit Union has grown to 63 branches in four states, keeping all employees properly and consistently trained, and morale high, has become increasingly challenging.

WEST JORDAN, Utah-The $2.8-billion Mountain America CU has developed a program to address potential member financial problems before they turn into write-offs.

MUSKEGEON, Mich.-Tough decisions made four years ago are making it easier for Muskegon Co-op FCU to do business in difficult times-including growing loans by 37% in 2009.

ARLINGTON, Va.-Credit union member growth has seen a slight uptick, but the challenge remains further growing market share and especially reaching the "unaware non-member."

WATERTOWN, N.Y.-Keeping up with increasing compliance demands can hardly be handled by one person at the CU anymore.

SUNRISE, Fla.-Tracking the number of transactions each teller handles per hour and publishing the data for staff to see has helped one CU save $17,000 annually in salaries and reduce full-time teller staff by six.

RALEIGH, N.C.-Giving back to members by helping them avoid NSF fees, State Employees' Credit Union instituted four new programs that have saved members more than $4.5 million.

PLYMOUTH, Mich.-Understanding that employees convey the CU brand as well or better than paid advertising has helped TruStone Financial CU successfully launch its new image.

NAIROBI, Kenya-In a country with few branches, CUs here have instead put the branch in a backpack and taken it on the road.

OLYMPIA, Wash.-Washington State Employees Credit Union looked at new federal laws regarding overdraft programs as an opportunity to "showcase" itself.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.-Xceed Financial Credit Union continues to grow its select employer groups using a super hero and a slogan.

LONDON, Ontario-A credit union here has opted for a unique new name it hopes will deliver dividends back to it again and again.

'Burning Money' Gets Endorsement