LAUREL, Md. – A two month promotion with bear giveaways has helped Tower Federal Credit Union increase its online bill payment membership by 50%. In addition, the number of Tower FCU members signed up for e-statements totals over 15,000. During January and February, Tower FCU branches gave stuffed black bears to members who signed up to pay their bills online, registered for electronic statements, or received a debit card. Tower branches shifted the promotion into high gear by having a "Creative Bear" competition. Tellers and service representatives at the Millersville, Md. branch used the black bears to construct displays to show members how Tower's Bill Payment pays bills automatically in "bearly" seconds, how eStatements give online access to monthly statements when members can't "bear" paper clutter, and why "bearing" a debit card is convenient and gets them cash.