Practice management

WASHINGTON-Credit Union lending improved in the second quarter, while share growth declined. But the big story may be the strength of core checking deposits, an indication credit unions are taking advantage of big banks' pricing problems resulting from the new interchange rules.

DUBUQUE, Iowa-Dupaco Community Credit Union here is featuring its own members on billboards as part of a campaign that also has a strong social media component.

VASHON, Wash.-Puget Sound Cooperative CU's newest branch here is an early hit, much to the delight of those who worked for two years to bring a credit union to Vashon Island.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Redwood CU has signed an online marketing contract with Zenergy Works of Santa Rosa.

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Center for Community Self-Help, which operates two of the nation’s leading community development credit unions, has partnered with CitiCorp to introduce Self-Help’s Micro Branch – a check-casher/credit union hybrid model designed to provide responsible financial products and services for unbanked Californians.

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine’s CU will continue their media campaign this fall with radio spots promoting their SURF ATM and shared branching network.

HONOLULU – Hickam FCU was approved by NCUA to expand outside its core military field of membership and the local community to serve all 950,000 residents of the island of Oahu.

BETHPAGE, N.Y. – Bethpage FCU introduced Bethpage Investment Strategies, a financial services division that offers members an increased product line and more services.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – State regulators approved the conversion of Buffalo Service CU to a state charter, allowing the $41 million credit union to serve the 900,000 residents of Erie County, N.Y.

ENDICOTT, N.J. – The $2.6-billion Visions FCU is expanding into southern New York, northern Pennsylvania and New Jersey with a merger with $330-million Paragon FCU.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Postal Federal Community CU here has changed its name to BluCurrent Credit Union.

HARRISBURG, Penn.-One credit union is planning to return $200,000 more to members each month and significantly expand its call center to take advantage of the effects of the new interchange rules.

GLASGOW, Scotland-Trust in credit unions is great, but it's not enough to be successful. Being a big credit union is great, as long the CU avoids becoming a small bank. Talk of collaboration is great, but for one group of co-ops it didn't work.

MIAMI – It may be time for credit union to build plans to expand their auto leasing programs, according to one company that is forecasting lease penetration rates will double by 2020, averaging around 42% across most vehicle brands and segments.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Pentagon FCU said it has become the “exclusive, preferred financial services provider for credit cards, vehicle loans and mortgages” for the Navy League of the United States.

OMAHA, Neb.-One way to increase loan volume is to get members to take out two loans at a time. That's the strategy behind Centris FCU's BOGO (buy-one-get one) loan program, which helped it pick up volume right when loans began to tail off, explained Seth Swier, AVP of financial services.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-The best way to address fraud is to ensure you have dedicated fraud resources within the CU and make fraud prevention a strategic priority.

CINCINNATI-Credit unions don't need to do anything special when it comes to planning for 2012, according to one executive, as long as they keep their focus on what has made credit unions unique and engendered member loyalty.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.-When it comes to strategic planning for 2012, one supplier says that understanding a vendor's product offerings is crucially important-but more important, she said, is understanding that product's value and, in some cases, lack thereof to a member.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The $40.7-million Buffalo Service Credit Union has applied to the New York State Banking Department to expand its charter to serve all of Erie County.