Sleepless In Seattle

How 1 CU Is Dealing With Surge In Biz

TUKWILLA, Wash.-Many credit unions have seen an increase in new members and loans as a result of Bank Transfer Day. And then there's BECU here.

Tireless In Sacramento

Where The Golden 1 Is Focused

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-In the last four months of 2011, $7.4-billion The Golden 1 Credit Union saw its monthly average new members numbers increase 75%.

When Immaturity Is A Good Thing

Youth Market Is Wide Open

LITTLETON, Colo.-Looking to grow? Then do a better job of targeting those who are still growing themselves.

Lifeline For Underwater Mortgages

HARP 2 Offers Loan Growth Opportunity

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

Don't Know What You Have 'Til It's …Not Used

Where Focus Should Be

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.-Despite all the potential new members in play courtesy of Bank Transfer Day, the growth focus in 2012 should be on getting more from existing members.

Not Enough To Just Be In The Door

Red River Now Focused On Getting 'Sticky'

TEXARKANA, Texas-Like other credit unions across the country, Red River Employees FCU has seen a strong increase in membership. It knows all too well its next challenge.

Get Hyperactive About Hyper-Local

Time For A Reminder

DES MOINES, Iowa-Credit unions have to do a better job emphasizing to consumers that they are a much larger part of the community than the big banks.

Strong Offer, Poor Marketing

Boosting Card Usage

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.

The 'Wow Factor' Approach To Checking

Time To Get Creative

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Time for credit unions to take the covers off their checking account "wow factor," while simultaneously also extending their reach.

Rethinking Other Side of Growth

4 Strategies For Capital

MADISON, Wis.-Growth for growth's sake in 2012 will only lead to growing problems, notes one analyst.

Want To Win Card Game? You Need A Pair

Local Rewards Extolled

RIVERWOODS, Ill.-Credit unions can grow their credit card portfolios in 2012, but one person is suggesting that they will do better if they pair their card offerings with a hyper-local spin on rewards programs.

Where To Spend Those Marketing Dollars In 2012

Alternative? Missed Opportunity

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

Trend Lines Indicate Plastic Could Be Fantastic

'Starting To Take Off'

CLEARWATER, Fla.-Credit card use picked up during 2011, meaning it's imperative CUs begin ramping up credit card marketing now.

Branches: Better Automation

4 Other Ideas Shared

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.

Merchants: Untapped Revenue

Better Than Interchange?

WILMINGTON, N.C.-One analyst contends there is a revenue source CUs have not tapped that can some day bring them as much or more income than debit interchange.

Fundamentals: Still About Cross-Sales

Data-Based Decisions

ATLANTA-When it comes to growth, it still comes down to fundamentals like crosss-sales.

PIN Point: Change Behavior

Reexamining Income

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Credit unions should consider encouraging members to use PIN debit over signature, one analyst suggests.

5 Steps To Effective Cross Sales At The Point Of Sign-Up

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

Some Things Do Improve With Age

Why Boomers Matter

NORTH CANTON, Ohio-At times it seems many credit unions can't wait to push their older members out the door, but one company is cautioning that's a mistake.

The Golden 1 Tops The Charts In California

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