<p>Raleigh, N.C. – Lizards are everywhere at State Employees' Credit Union and one has even been spotted on CUNA President/CEO Dan Mica. "Our thought is, even if the members think we've completely `lost our lizard', they will talk about it and word of mouth is our very best marketing tool," said SECU President/CEO Jim Blaine. "Also, we think that the issue of teen financial literacy is vitally important. We need to get teens and their parents involved in learning how to use the financial system and, fully educated consumers always turn to their credit union first – its a better deal." When members ask about the lizard hat, they receive a postage-paid business reply card to send in to SECU's Phone Center for more information about the new Zard teen program aimed at the 13-19 year-old market.Z-Shares, Z-Checking, ZARD Cards (i.e., VISA Check Card or ATM/Interlink Access Card), Money Matterz (quarterly newsletter), and a teen Web site, www.teenzard.org, are just a few of the Zard program highlights. Zard members receive a CD case just for opening a Z-Share account and get their first box of checks free with Z-Checking. In addition, any eligible teen who opens a Z-Share account between April 15 – July 31, 2002 is automatically entered to win one of three Samsung 128MB Mini Digital Audio Players (MP3 Players). Parents of Zard Sweepstakes participants are also automatically entered to win one of three Friday-Saturday weekend trips, including a $100 Marriott gift certificate to The Renaissance Charleston Hotel Historic District in Charleston, SC.</p>