Manager Aware of More Than One Branch

Running an effective branch today requires staying on top of the competition, stressed Doris Nabors, who's been at the helm of her America's First Trussville location for 13 years.

To Be Part of Community, You Must Be Active

Diana Eyhorn, manager of the Portland branch of the $1-billion NavyArmy FCU, has been a member of the local Chamber of Commerce board for years, and she says it not only is something she enjoys doing, it gives her credit union branch an advantage.

New Development In How Folks See A 'CU'

In her 16 years running the Oroville branch of Butte FCU, Betty Vance has never seen greater consumer understanding of the credit union difference as she does today.

Challenge: Don't Judge Member By His Cover

For Betty O'Brien, who has managed branches of the $325-million Florida Commerce CU for the last 11 and a half years, a key job of the branch manager is to make sure staff never prejudge members.

How One CU Tries To Help Members While Keeping Examiners Happy

Sweetwater Regional FCU is doing whatever it can to grant loans to members struggling to pay bills, including holding a guitar as collateral for a $3,000 signature loan.

Nothing Foreign About What Makes Netherlands Branch Work

SCHINNEN, The Netherlands — Running an overseas branch of Andrews FCU has advantages over heading an AFCU office stateside — you don't have much competition.

Leading By Example Key To One Branch's Success

A simple truth sometimes overlooked by branch managers is that leaders are only as good as their teams. In his 10 years managing a branch at the $1-billion State Department FCU, Jesse Bell has learned that it's the most important principle a successful branch manager can adhere to.

The Task Of Balancing Wants Versus Needs

What members ask for, and what they need to improve their financial condition, are often two different things. Those who work the front line can attest to that, including Dawn Everton, who runs the Newport News location of the $500-million 1st Advantage FCU.

People Helping Um, Aliens, Fake Doctors, Etc.

When aliens ride past the front lobby in a golf cart and the cast from "Grey's Anatomy" drop by to make a deposit, it's safe to assume that running a branch at First Entertainment CU may be a little different.

Recession Has Brought Out The Good & The Bad In Members

The recession has shown Debbie Lawson, branch manager for the east Tampa location of the $5.3-billion Suncoast Schools FCU, the resiliency of members-as well as their shortcomings.

Working With Members And Taking On A Little More Risk

At a time when most financial institutions are tightening credit standards, Sally Boyer is taking more chances on members who stop by her Michigan State University FCU branch for a loan.

How Members Play Role In Driving Efficiencies At Some Branches

Looking to improve branch efficiency? Let members schedule their own appointments. That's one way efficient CUs are reducing costs and focusing staff on more productive tasks in today's ROA-challenged environment, shared Bob Tramontano, VP-marketing for NCR Financial Services.

How CUs Can Get A Free Branch

Looking to save money? How about a free branch? That's almost possible, contends Bill Goedken, president of Goedken Consulting Group in Sedalia, Colo., who explained how co-branding a location and sharing space with another retailer can cover the operating costs for an office.

'Tough Love' Key To Making Shared Branches Work

Sarah Canepa Bang, president of Financial Service Centers Cooperative, told Credit Union Journal that while the branch must educate non-proprietary members on properly using a shared branch, these members have to approach the teller line prepared to do business.

The Positive Side of 'This Isn't My CU?'

When "guests" of a shared branch don't perceive a difference between their own CU and the host credit union, the branch manager is running operations effectively.