Even with most credit unions closed for Columbus Day there wasplenty of online buzz, and uncertainty, about what the credit unionindustry role might be on “Bank Transfer Day,” the latest eventsurfacing from the “Occupy Wall Street” protests.

Industry sources, speaking off the record, suggested anywholesale switch from large banks to CUs on Nov. 5, the daydesignated by one Californian and carried atwitter Monday, couldconceivably put net worth ratios out of whack.

The balance sheet problem was raised by several industryofficials as a potential hazard as online articles focused on what“Occupy” supporters are calling now for a specific action tounderscore their complaints against big banks and corporate“greed.”

For the record, Mark Wolff, CUNA senior vicepresident-communications, said only that the trade group welcomesthe idea of “a viral 'Bank Transfer Day'” since it shows “just howangry consumers are becoming with their treatment by bigbanks” and will now look at CUs.

CUNA said it has seen big jumps in traffic on www.asmarterchoice.org. Therealso have been big gains on www.findacreditunion.com.

Many consumers, said CUNA, are already “discovering” creditunions online and “many more no doubt will as a result of this BankTransfer Day initiative.”

Wire service reports Monday identified the ringleader of “BankTransfer Day” as Kristen Christian, a 27-year-old Los Angeles artgallery owner who said she is not affiliated with the Occupy WallStreet protest, but that demonstration organizers had reached outto her to express support.

Christian reportedly chose Nov. 5 because of its associationwith 17^th century British folk hero Guy Fawkes, whotried to blow up the British House of Lords but was captured onthat day.

A Facebook page for the event states that“”together we can ensure that these banking institutions willALWAYS remember the 5th of November!! If the 99% removes our fundsfrom the major banking institutions on or by this date, we willsend a clear message and give the 1% a taste of the fear that weexperience every day when we aren't able to pay for our rent, food,medication, utilities, student loans, etc.”

The protests began in New York and have popped up around thecountry. A few hundred protesters gathered in Las Vegas, forinstance, on Thursday night and were escorted by police for a marchdown the Strip. Among the calls for action on the flyers beingdistributed was to move banking accounts to credit unions.