Bank transaction fees at the teller window are proving thelatest account windfall for Kansas credit unions with the state'ssecond largest, the $380 million Credit Union of America,witnessing a business uptick this month.

Jane Hammil, senior vice president/chief administrative officerof the Wichita credit union, said her CU “is finding these newcharges bothering bank customers and they're coming to us.”

Specifically, the $3.5 billion Intrust Bank, Wichita-based butwith operations also in neighboring Oklahoma, began earlier thisyear charging customers .50 cents for every transaction over threemade at the teller window in a given month. In addition, the bankhas set a $3 fee for savings accounts with a $200 minimum.

“I don't think these charges are being favorably received,”observed Hammil, who detailed the CU's ongoing strategic growthplans for 2011, including the closing of a deal in September topurchase a new headquarters building from the Kansas Credit UnionAssociation, which is moving to leased space in Wichita

Despite the poor economy, CUA, noted Hammil, has experienced a48% growth in assets over the past three years, 34% jump inmembership, and a 27% employment increase.

“We've sought to be a steady player, no skyrocketing expansion,”added Glenda Burkett, vice president of marketing.

CUA's existing headquarters was becoming too cramped and thusthe purchase of the KCUA property “will allow for an improved stafftraining area, provide needed storage and geographically groupdepartments that interact,” the credit union said in astatement.

For its part, the KCUA said tech changes and new product/servicestrategies have allowed the trade group to sell its headquartersbuilding it has owned since 1999. The space it occupied plus rentaltenants in the building on Westdale Avenue was more than the KCUArequired given a reduction of certain processingfunctions.

“Moreover, we decided we really didn't want to be in thelandlord business,” said Marla Marsh, the president/CEO of the92-member league.

“As we were doing our strategic planning last year, Credit Unionof America came to us with an offer and we thought it fit ourplanning quite well,” Marsh said. The KCUA, which has seen its staff reduced from a high of 36 to 22,will continue operating its leased space in Topeka where itconcentrates its lobbying team.