LUTHERVILLE, Md. — With football season in full swing, First Financial of Maryland Federal Credit Union took a "hike" with its share certificates.

The $541 million credit union recently ran a campaign that offered a 10% annual percentage yield share certificate. During September and October, more than 1,200 members took advantage of the offer through a campaign entitled "Checking, Direct Deposit, 10% Certificate, HIKE!" The certificate required a maximum $1,000 deposit, carried a maximum 12-month term and was available to new and existing members who have the credit union's free checking account and direct deposit.

Checking and direct deposit are also two of the FFMFCU's "5-Star" services. Through the program, members who use select services are rewarded with bonus dividends on checking, discounts on select loan rates and cash rebates on debit card transactions.