TIGARD, Ore. – NW Preferred Federal Credit Union is helping members trim their rates while fitting in some time for summer fun with a new low carb promotion. Playing off the popularity of low carb diets, this credit union's CARB stands for Certified Annual Rate Benefit. “We are simply repositioning a rate discount program we already had in place for members that take advantage of other credit union programs, such as automatic loan payments and direct deposit,” said NWPFCU Vice President of Marketing Jim Hier. “We thought we would have some fun and jump on the low carb bandwagon. It seems everywhere you turn these days people are offering a low carb version of something, so we figured why not loans?” Members are able to “trim” stated rates on credit union loans under the Low CARB program. The promotion, which will run through the summer, although not necessarily Atkins approved even offers a special Low CARB Loan, which is an 18-month unsecured personal loan that allows members to borrow up to $10,000. “We usually try to have some fun with at least one campaign and we've always offered a vacation loan product so this seemed like a great way to get members involved,” said Hier. “We had all sorts of puns and word plays- Rate Watcher, Trim the Fat, Skinny Rates, but in the end we decided it was best not to be too cheesy with our copy.” Designed in-house, the low carb promo also went easy on the wallet at a price tag of $4,000 for direct mail, branch posters and Web site banners. [email protected]