As this year's honoree, Clark was responsible for increasing deposits through investment products. Working with agency Elevator Strategy, the British Columbia-based credit union focused a direct mail campaign on a target audience of members likely to invest. Their efforts paid off–in fact, the credit union gained $29 million in net deposit growth, almost four times its goal.

The GMA golden shoestring award is bestowed upon one entry produced on a limited budget which showcases exceptional results and outstanding creativity.

Arizona State CU's entry was a campaign to promote its extremely competitive construction loan rates. With a budget of just more than $5,500, the credit union leveraged in-branch displays, newsletter articles and statement inserts to generate $2.3 million in loans.

The GMA program annually recognizes the credit union industry's most creative and results-producing marketing efforts. This year, CUES received nearly 875 entries in the 34th annual competition's 25 categories. A panel of nine judges composed of credit union marketers, past winners and other advertising professionals scored the entries.

Finalists Named in SELCO Contest

EUGENE, Ore. — The 10 finalists for SELCO Community Credit Union's Your Big Break video contest have surfaced and now it is up to the public to vote for their favorite to help the credit union identify the top three winners.

According to SELCO Vice President of Marketing Bonnie Larson the response to the contest was overwhelming, with 37 individual video entries from individuals and groups throughout the community.

Members and nonmembers alike put on their director and producer hats to create a variety of 23-second television commercials expressing why joining SELCO is so great.

“We were so impressed by not only the number of entries and their depth of resourcefulness, but also by the spirit and consideration people invested in their projects,” said Larson. “Each gave us a new way to see SELCO Community Credit Union through different eyes. They all deserve a round of applause.”

Voting at selco.org/yourbigbreak will run through midnight Friday, June 6,

2008. The final three winners will be announced beginning on or about June 11, 2008. The first, second and third place winners will receive $5,000, $3,500 and $1,000 respectively.

Gesa CU Launches Colossal Checking

RICHLAND, Wash. — Gesa Credit Union is launching what it dubs a colossal opportunity for members.

The credit union is now offering a new service called Colossal Checking, free checking with high dividends and ATM fee refunds for their members.

“We are a community institution with great passion for our members and their financial needs,” said Gesa CU President/CEO Christina Brown. “With Colossal Checking, we can offer members a cutting-edge account that rewards them for their commitment to Gesa Credit Union.”

Colossal Checking is a checking account with no monthly fees, no minimum balance and the opportunity to earn 6.01% APY on balances up to $10,000 and all ATM fee refunds nationwide. To qualify for the Colossal Checking high interest rate members must make 12 check card transactions, receive monthly e-statements, set up one direct deposit or authorize one automatic payment from their account and access online banking at least once month.

If the Colossal Checking account holder does not meet all the criteria during the cycle, he or she will still enjoy a free checking account with free internet banking and free online bill pay, but will not receive bonus rates or ATM fee refunds for

that time period. However, the account holder will still earn .15% APY on their free checking balance.

“With Colossal Checking, we are rewarding the use of these free services and saying thank you to our members by providing them with a superior product,” said Brown.

Fairfax Connects on Corriente Americana

FAIRFAX, Va. — Fairfax County Federal Credit Union is reaching out to the Hispanic market with an innovative new checking account, Cuenta Corriente Americana.

With an eye on emotionally connecting with the Hispanic consumer, the Cuenta Corriente Americana account allows members to personalize their checking account with the flag of their homeland, and gives them the ability to redeem reward points for wire transfers and money orders.

To spread the word the credit union will air spots on both Hispanic network television and radio. Currently, a 30-second commercial is airing on Univision that draws a visual comparison between FCFCU and the banking cooperatives of Central and South America. The commercial opens with footage of cooperatives from Bolivia and Ecuador and transitions to Fairfax County FCU.

“Our Cuenta Corriente Americana product offers excellent benefits, and we hope that through this new product, we can continue to attract and penetrate the area's Hispanic population,” said Fairfax County FCU Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Kaudy. “We've committed to serving the financial needs of this community, and we will continue to offer products and services especially crafted for this purpose.”

–[email protected]