BARTLETT, Tenn. — After hearing complaints over slow delivery and recognizing the excessive cost of sending paper NSF notices to its members through the mail, First South Credit Union here decided it was time to make a big change.

FORT WORTH, Texas — With offices in 17 different states, creating a collaborative culture has been difficult for American Airlines FCU.

INDIANAPOLIS — When members contact FORUM Credit Union, they now get faster answers to questions, more accurate information, and are effectively cross sold — and it didn't cost the CU a dime.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As part of Credit Union Journal's broader mission to provide growth-oriented coverage and strategies, in this issue we present 25 Best Practices from credit unions in 2009.

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas FCU has gained greater share of wallet, made itself more convenient to members, and improved operational efficiency by adding "consumer capture."

WABASH, Ind. — Thanks in part to an upgraded core solution and an understanding of its ag community membership, Beacon Credit Union here is able to provide much larger volume of agricultural loans to those who need it the most.

RICHARDSON, Texas — Just as the extent of the residential real estate crisis was beginning to dawn on the financial industry, Credit Union Liquidity Services started to overhaul its commercial lending portfolio management system.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Replacing its manual process, the $1.8-billion Affinity FCU has successfully automated its anti-money laundering procedures, reducing the time it takes to remain compliant with related regulations while not increasing its headcount.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — In mid-2008, Digital Credit Union initiated a customized approach to fraud mitigation for its card portfolio that enabled it to implement analytically derived rules designed to supplement neural network, score-based fraud strategies.

BALTIMORE, Md. — One credit union is boosting debit card use and interchange fee income through an automated member rewards program that is simple to administer and offers a wide range of redemption options.

TUNKHANNOCK, Penn. — There is a powerful bond between P&G Mehoopany Employees FCU and the local community here, as evidenced by the lengths the CU took to keep kids safe and families warm.

POTTSTOWN, Penn. — Diamond Credit Union has more than tripled its assets over the last decade by continually adding new products and services to stay a step ahead of the local competition.

LAS VEGAS — Nevada FCU here has found a way to increase cross-sales despite having decreased the number of employees who directly interact with members.

CHICAGO — Concerned about its ability to answer questions from 17,000 new members headed its way through a purchase and assumption of another CU, Alliant Credit Union turned to an online, product cross-reference tool that gave its staff all the information and confidence they needed to keep service levels high.

RUTLAND, Vt. — Credit Union of Vermont scored a victory last week when NCUA ruled that Tricorp FCU was wrong to pay lower dividend rates on member capital accounts that gave their three-year notices that they intend to withdraw their funds.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — SAFE Credit Union added a financial management tool to its online banking solution in September 2008, and it's now reporting it's since seen a significant increase in new, profitable members with excellent credit coming on board via the web.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Seeing card fraud losses on a spreadsheet is one thing. But when more than $9,000 in such charges turn up on the personal credit card of an executive 1st United Services CU as the result of skimming, it really spurred USCU to take action.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Many credit unions across the country underwrite scholarships. But one credit union here has upgraded its scholarship program to do more than most.

EUGENE, Ore. — A second chance for members to finance their car loans has led to first-rate results for SELCO Community CU.

ST. LOUIS — With the economy driving down prices on used vehicles at auto auctions, Gateway Metro FCU moved to sell its repossessed vehicles itself. The result? An additional $39,000 in revenue since March.