By coincidence, the $4.8 billion Randolph Brooks FCU of Texas isreaping a new account surge—600 openings in two days– as a resultof Bank of America's $5 debit fee, CU officials said Friday.

Like other CUs enjoying the windfall, Randolph Brooks saidhowever it had not really acted because of the Bank of Americaannouncement last Thursday but its timing could not have beenbetter for its debit rewards program.

A week ago the CU located in Live Oak, a San Antonio suburb,increased its debit member giveback from 10 to 15 cents pertransaction as a gesture to “demonstrate our success over the lastyear,” said Sonya McDonald, senior vice president-marketing. Theextra 5 cents was applicable to usage ending Dec. 31.

“It certainly was a record-breaking weekend,” said McDonaldnoting the pace has continued with a spike of new accounts each dayadding, “on average we would be opening 156 per day and the lastthree days it has climbed to 260.”

McDonald attributed the increases to the Bank of Americaannouncement as well as those of other large and regionalbanks.

Last year the Randolph Brooks dividend payout reached $5million”and it looks like $7 million for this year.”

In its original release, the CU noted that it was acting tosupport members “given the current financial climate.” The CUcalled its program “unique and is expected to be appreciated bymembers.”