The pledge idea to “abstain” from charging debit fees, pushedthis month by the South Carolina Credit Union League as part of the Bank TransferDay promotion, has now spread to Minnesota with some 83 CUs in thatstate following the same practice.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network said Thursday that it hasadapted the pledge on its website to“continue to provide members fairly priced banking servicesincluding debit card fees.”

The declaration does have a caveat: “I pledge my credit unionwill abstain … as long as market conditions allow us to do so.”

In its media pronouncement as a pledge participant, the $825million Hiway FCU of St. Paul stressed that its declaration “ is anextension of the credit union's overall mission to put the needs ofindividuals above making a profit.”

“Hiway operates solely to meet the needs of those it serves andany earnings received are returned to members in the form of lowerloan rates, higher savings rates, quality services – and fewerfees,” said Jeff Schwalen, president/CEO.

Schwalen told Credit Union Times that Hiway CU has seenaccount openings jump 50% in the past 30 days “and where wegot $800,000 a month that has soared to $2.3 million.”

Now that Bank of America and the others have reversed course, “I thinkwe'll see that pace die down but I'll be we have another month yet”of big account growth.

A spokeswoman for the Minnesota network said CUs “like what wesaw in South Carolina” where 32 credit unions signed identicalpledges.

Separately in Minnesota, the $837 million USFCU of Burnsvillesaid as part of Bank Transfer Day promotions it's offering a $50deposit “as a welcome to USFCU.”