SHREVEPORT, La. – A jaunt to Dallas on an air-conditionedchartered bus for back-to-school shopping for the grandkids; aTexas-style barbecue with a Cajun twist; a gift bag stocked with acloth, foldaway chair, canvas tote bag and Khaki shirts withgold-stitched embroidery – all paid for by Shreveport FederalCredit Union. The credit union took 300 members of its ClubPrestige to Texas on Aug. 15 for its fifth annual day excursion asa show of appreciation for those 50 years and older who haveaccounts at the credit union. While in Dallas, members had theirchoice of shopping in the city's plethora of malls, attending anumber of area museums or taking part in a fishing expedition.While Shreveport FCU President/CEO Helen Godfrey admits the ClubPrestige accounts are loss leaders, the Dallas trip with all itstrimmings, do more to spread the word about what the credit unionhas to offer than anything else. “Imagine 300 cheerleaders who rahrah for their credit union,” Godfrey said. “That was their day, itwas an excellent trip.” With $56 million in assets, Shreveport FCUserves 15,000 members in several parishes and offers the standardfare of checking, savings, loans, insurance and certificates ofdeposits. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in connecting withthe community, Godfrey said. The Club Prestige accounts continue towoo everyone from retirees, university professors and the recentlywidowed. Godfrey said 90 new accounts were opened as a result ofthe trip. The credit union has 1,000 Club Prestige accounts intotal. The account package includes free checking, free travelers'checks and money orders, access to personal financial managementservices and educational seminars on investments and financialplanning. Godfrey began offering the account in 1995 and hasmodified it over the years, doing away with a prescription discountcard a few years ago because of its reliance on an outside vendor.Looking for a way that would differentiate the small credit unionfrom others in the marketplace, Godfrey came up with the idea ofthe day trips to draw older residents to the credit unions. Whilethe trips “are expensive and not for the faint-hearted,” the payoffalmost always results in increased business. “Once we get theiraccounts opened here, then we'll have their car loan, their kidsmay open accounts and on and on,” Godfrey said. “The 50 and oldergroup is a very loyal group.” Since 1998, members have enjoyedall-expense paid trips to such places as Hot Springs, Ark. andVicksburg, Miss. Godfrey said the only limitations are that thedestination must be within three hours of Shreveport. Members havealmost always come up with ideas of where to go. Bertia Copelandhas been a member of Shreveport FCU for decades and this is herthird trip. She could have easily transferred to a larger financialinstitution but chose to stick with Shreveport because of its“family-like atmosphere.” “When you know that they genuinely careabout you and have your best interests at heart, it's hard to breakaway,” Copeland said. Godfrey launches a marketing campaign throughthe credit union's March and June newsletters and sends out adirect mail trip reminder to current members. “Many of the seniorshere are retirees and they look forward to breaking away from theirdaily routine,” Godfrey said. “This is our way of drawing themcloser to the credit union and rewarding them for their loyalty tous.” [email protected]