The 2,700 member Vermont VA Federal Credit Union has turned amore or less permanent evergreen tree in its lobby into a mortgagemarketing vehicle.

The tree had been first introduced into the lobby of the $20million CU as a Christmas tree but then became a vehicle forcelebrating other holidays such as Easter, St. Patrick's Day andMemorial Day.

To promote its mortgage program, which it offers through arelationship with CU Members Mortgage, the CU hung wooden housesfrom the tree to prompt members to ask about the CU's mortgageservices and CEO Sandi White said the effort has drawn significantattention and applications from members.

“Because of this tree we have had more activity with ourmortgage products then we've ever had,” White said. “So we'vecertainly gotten their attention with this tree, as it leadsmembers to ask about our lending products at the teller window.This inquiry presents the opportunity for the member to apply for ahome loan, which is great for both parties. Now, because of thetree, our members are tuned in to knowing that we do all types oflending.”

White added that it's still too early to track mortgageapplication results, as those numbers should materialize in timeover the next few months. But she said activity is definitelyup.

“The members keep coming in to see what's up with the tree,”White says. “They love it. They even come in and take pictures ofit.”

In keeping with that theme, the credit union created two moneytrees with fake money and stretchable $1.00 bills attached to itshowing how members can “stretch their money as far as it can go.”These trees have also prompted numerous lending questions frommembers.

“Overall, the trees have been a win for both the credit unionand members,” White adds. “It's a great morale booster for ourstaff creating the new trees, as it's really created a strong bondbetween them. For our members, again, they've been asking aboutwhat we're up to next with the tree and it really brings a smile totheir faces when they walk through the door and first see it.”