The “Save to Win” raffle program, which links savings accountswith prize giveaways, should be ready for a Nebraska rollout Jan. 1with some eight to 12 CUs expected to participate, the NebraskaCredit Union League said Thursday.

The program, which cleared legal hurdles last April after Gov. Dave Heineman signed enablinglegislation, is patterned after the pioneering program thatlaunched in 2009 in Michigan.

Developed by the Filene Research Institute and the Boston-basedDoorway to Dreams foundation, the programs are aimed atattracting new CU members and encouraging them to save.

Brandon Luetkenhaus, NCUL government and public affairsdirector, said a working group in the league is finalizing rulesand conditions and determining the makeup of the prize pool. The CUsignup should be completed by Oct. 1, he said.

“As compared to Michigan, we probably will have a lower amountof the grand prize—say $25,000—based on our participation,” saidLuetkenhaus. There will still be monthly prize drawings ofsmaller amounts, he said.

Each credit union will be responsible for doing its own “Save toWin” media advertising. In Michigan that has included TV, radio,indirect and online campaigns assisted by the Michigan Credit UnionLeague.

There are now 40 credit unions taking part in Michigan and a$100,000 grand prize has been awarded. More than $9 million hasbeen saved in the11,000 accounts opened.

“I think we will be the first after Michigan to really geta full rollout of Save to Win,” said Luetkenhaus with the Nebraskaleague.

North Carolina lawmakers also have passed enabling legislation for a Save to Win programas has Washington state.