Teachers Federal Credit Union in New York said it opened 2,216 new accounts in October and 534 in the first five days of November.

The $4.1 billion credit union said the enrollment surge – 36% for October 2011 vs. October 2010 – during the run-up to Bank Transfer Day was preceded by a 21% increase in September compared with the year-ago month.

The 22-branch Hauppauge, N.Y., credit union said that one in five households in Suffolk County on Long Island now have at least one TFCU member.

Total October loans also were up 9.69% in 2011 over 2010, TFCU said.

“Increasing fees, poor customer service and slow loan processing are among the many reasons why individuals from across Long Island and the nation are moving their money to not-for-profit, member-focused credit unions like Teachers Federal Credit Union,” said Robert G. Allen, TFCU president/CEO.

“It is clear that people are looking to save wherever they can and credit unions offer a solution,” he said.

TFCU had joined with two other Long Island credit unions – the $4.3 billion Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the $1.7 billion NEFCU – to launch BetterBankingforLongIsland.com and promote Bank Transfer Day.