Tropical Financial CU, Miramar, Fla., selected Rich Helber as its new CEO.

JACKSON, Mich.-America 1 CU said it returned almost $157,000 to its members as a loan rebate. To qualify for the loan rebate, members had to make their payments on a closed-end loan on time every month from April to December. If they did, they earned half of the interest they paid through December.

TEXAS CITY, Texas-AMOCO FCU said it will reward members with a special dividend of $1 million. The payout will be divided among members as a bonus dividend and interest refund.

CLARK, N.J.-Aspire FCU has launched a new rewards program that offers members charitable donations, free iTunes downloads and other incentives for their free checking and savings accounts.

ALBANY, N.Y.-New York credit unions got a boost in their decade-long quest to win municipal deposits when Gov. David Patterson introduced a bill that would change a 100-year-old law to allow local government entities to open accounts at non-profit institutions.

AUGUSTA, Maine-Maine's credit unions will kick off a new advertising and marketing campaign next month promoting their shared branching network. The "Share It" campaign was designed by Weber Marketing and is designed to increase awareness and usage of Shared Branching, as well as to motivate and excite credit union staff about Shared Branching. To kick off the campaign, CU staff are being asked to get involved in a credit union competition, and create their own "Top 10 List" on why to use Shared Branching, or what they love to share. The most creative list will win $500 to share with a charity of their choice.

DES MOINES, Iowa-Credit unions need to not only make sure they are offering credit and debit card rewards, those efforts need to be compelling, according to The Members Group.

SAN ANTONIO-Driving growth in 2010 means focusing on lending and ways to creatively expand the loan portfolio.

WILMINGTON, N.C.-This is the year to get creative with Internet marketing strategies and look for ways to tie the CU more closely to the everyday lives of members.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-The Golden 1 Credit Union is poking fun at two of its big bank competitors while urging their consumers to "Come on over."

DALLAS-One of the best ways to drive long-term growth is to avoid ALM missteps in 2010. Bad choices could easily be made this year, stressed Tom Manley, partner at ALM First, who sees shrinking margins tempting CUs to invest long term.

MADISON, Wis.-Bob Larson, financial support consultant at CUNA Mutual Group, believes it's time for old-fashioned SEG marketing to make a comeback.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-With banks still on their heels in 2010, Dennis Dollar says it's time to hit them where it really hurts-in their checking accounts.

ELGIN, Ill.-Looking to grow in 2010 but unwilling or unable to invest in new branches? The most cost-effective solution, said one person, is to operate 24/7.

MADISON, Wis.-Mark Meyer believes there is a big question facing credit unions when it comes to growth this year.

PLEASANTON, Calif.-According to Harland Financial Solutions, growth this year is all about expanding on the market share windfalls of 2009.

PLANO, Texas-Driving growth in 2010 is all about measuring marketing's return and making the most out of what the credit union spends on promotion.

LOMBARD, Ill.-The most important step CUs can take is to position themselves as a true financial partner within their communities.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-The majority of CU growth this year will come from existing members, predicts McGuire Performance Solutions (MPS), which recommends "old-school" financial management to capitalize.

SAN DIEGO-This year credit unions can add to growth by subtracting, contends Ann Legg, VP-marketing at the $190-million Cabrillo CU here, noting the loan losses affecting many credit unions have required attention.