Now may be a particularly good time to be a credit union, withall the hype surrounding Bank Transfer Day.

In New Jersey, Financial Resources FCU is behind billboardsstating IditchedmyBankforaCreditUnion.com. The microsite,created by the $398 million Bridgewater credit union, mixesarticles and videos to educate consumers about the credit uniondifference.

At The Golden 1, its message that consumers deserve more fromtheir banking apparently has resonated, the $7.4 billionSacramento, Calif., CU said. In the first half of October, twice asmany new members have signed up online than during an averagemonth.

Despite the awareness opportunity big banks and new debit feeshave essentially gift wrapped for credit unions, some do question aSaturday as Bank Transfer Day. The originator, a Los Angeles artdealer, chose Nov. 5 because it coincides with Guy Fawkes Day inEngland.

Jeffry Pilcher of The Financial Brand tweeted earlierWednesday, “It isn't convenient to ask prospectivecustomers/members to switch on a specific day.” He pointedout that all the credit unions in his town of 100,000 people areclosed on Saturdays.

Supporters of the buildup to the event noted that consumerscould still open their accounts before the Nov. 5 deadline or do itonline.

As for James Robert Lay, PTP New Media grower of relationships, hesaid credit unions should start to view Bank Transfer Day as abeginning not an end.