Practice management

GREENSBORO, N.C.-A new government program offers a lifeline for credit unions with underwater mortgages on their books, notes Shannon VanSickler.

GLASTONBURY, Conn.-Expect more credit unions in 2012 to drive growth via significantly improved branch automation that takes the load off the front line and allows the CU to more easily absorb new members coming over from banks.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-Credit unions often do a poor job of marketing their credit card offerings to members, according to one person who believes 2012 offers big opportunity to change that.

SAN ANTONIO-Even though budgets remain tight, credit unions must open the marketing purse strings or they will miss big growth opportunities in 2012.

POCATELLO, Idaho – Members have voted in favor of Pocatello Teachers FCU here being absorbed via merger by ISU CU.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-The Golden 1 Credit Union topped all California banks and credit unions in a recent service satisfaction study by Prime Performance.

TUKWILLA, Wash.–To effectively cross sell a new member at signup, the front-line team must consistently follow five steps.

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine credit unions will hit the airwaves throughout 2012 with a multi-channeled marketing program, including a second year of “Young & Free Maine.”

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A new team of superheroes is hitting the area’s billboards – life-sized comic book characters that are going to tout the Pen Air FCU message throughout 2012.

ROCKY HILL, Conn. – Nutmeg State FCU has selected six members who will carry its message through a local television ad campaign as the credit union’s “Super Fans.”

Dow Louisiana FCU has seen strong loan growth thanks to a sales culture based around what one executive calls "revolutionary service."

MIDLAND, Mich. – Members First CU has applied to state regulators to combine with Central Michigan Community FCU in nearby Clare, which would create a $300-million credit union.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commerce CU has launched an investment services CUSO, Six Pillars Financial, that will offer financial planning, insurance and investment services.

OMAHA, Neb. – Nine credit unions and the Nebraska CU League are launching a new savings contest that will offer a $25,000 grand prize as part of an inducement to new member savings.

There are four words that kill growth at any credit union: Always, Never, Everybody and Nobody.

Credit unions in the United States should take note of the power of collaborative marketing campaigns. That was the message from a panel of marketers that included visitors from Guatemala and founders of a company that applies neuroscience to marketing.

TAMPA, Fla. – Grow Financial FCU has signed with local ad firm Rumbo Marketing to plan and launch a branding campaign.

Social media compliance is a subject that elicits a range of reactions from planners, from groans to cautious, curious questions. But Leia Farmer, the deputy chief compliance officer at Securities America, is excited about it.

RICHARDSON, Texas – Texans CU has signed with INVEST Financial Corp. to provide its members with brokerage and investment services.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Insight CU on Tuesday said it completed its merger with Florida Episcopal FCU, an insolvent $3-million credit union, giving it a new base for membership growth in Central Florida.