PSCU Financial Services said the 135 credit unions thatparticipated in its summer bill pay sweepstakes saw an overall 15%increase in new subscribers and 14% increase in activations.

The number of subscribers making more than three payments amonth also increased 5% during the “Win $10 Grand and You Can …”sweepstakes, the St. Petersburg, Fla., CUSO said.

The grand prize of $10,000 went to a member of the $943 millionAchieva CU in Largo, Fla., while the first-place prize of a $2,000travel certificate went to a member of $3.1 billion Lockheed FCU inBurbank, Calif.

Second-prize winners received an iPad 2 and were from $1.6billion Citadel FCU in Thorndale, Pa., and the $275 million BelvoirFCU in Woodbridge, Va. Each of the 135 credit unions that took partwas guaranteed one $100 winner, PSCU said.

Members who made three or more online bill payments in June andJuly were automatically entered and received subsequent entries foradditional payments made during the month.

“This is our fourth annual sweepstakes and we continue toachieve results that exceed similar sweepstakes campaigns in theindustry. Not surprisingly, the financial institutions thatemployed the largest number of marketing tactics and member touchpoints saw the highest percentage increase,” said Cindy McGinness,director of client relations at PSCU.

PSCU said it now provides bill to 263 institutions, includingmore than 250 credit unions, with more than 1.2 million subscribersmaking more than 4.4 million online payments per month.