ALBANY, N.Y. – The nearly 300 members of First Baptist Federal Credit Union in East Elmhurst, N.Y., now may be able to do what millions of other credit union members around the country already do: use an ATM card from their credit union and enjoy the benefits of direct deposit. The $280,000 CU was one of 23 from around the Empire State to win technology grants in April from the New York Credit Union Foundation. The credit unions, each with assets of $5 million or less, will use the grants, which totaled $55,000, for projects ranging from upgrading computers to buying software, fax machines and printers. "An upgrade in our computer system will allow our credit union to provide our membership with more efficient services," said Bettye Lee, treasurer of First Baptist FCU. "The enhanced record-keeping ability will help us with our current goal of having the credit union open one more day each week, as well as our long-term goal of adding services such as direct deposit, a share draft program, automobile loans and ATM/debit card service." The NYCUF grants were funded by the Community Investment Fund from investments made by New York credit unions. The League established the foundation in 1970. The CIF is a partnership of the National Credit Union Foundation, state foundations and leagues and corporate credit unions. The NYCUF had originally decided to award $35,000 in technology grants, but nearly $200,000 was requested, prompting the decision to raise the total awarded to $55,000 to try to meet more of the demand. "We are excited about this grant initiative and confident that it will strengthen recipient credit unions' ability to serve their members," said William J. Mellin, president and CEO of the New York State Credit Union League and president of the NYCUF. "That the funding was available because of New York credit unions' CIF investments also stands as a testament to the true cooperative spirit of credit unions," Mellin said. He said the League and the Foundation would continue to "explore opportunities and potential solutions that will allow even more credit unions to meet their technology needs." [email protected]