So much effort, so few dollars. That's a grumble from manycredit unions about their Facebook pages, which take continuingeffort to keep lively.

Now Berkeley, Calif. technology start-up Shastic has announcedits Calcubot, a Facebook widget that puts a loan lead generator onany credit union's Facebook page.

Spokane, Wash.-based, $1.1 billion Numerica Credit Union and the $3.1 billion Kinecta Federal Credit Union in Manhattan Beach, Calif.,are among the early adopters of the widget, which is designed to bea loan calculator that also, “on the back end, is a lead generatorfor the financial institution,” said Ariel Gomez, CEO ofShastic.

“Implementation takes a credit union only a few minutes,” saidGomez, who pegged the costs for an institution at “under $100 permonth.”

Integral to Calcubot's design is that it is intended for usersto share its calculations with their Facebook friends: “Hey, I'moffered this mortgage. Does it look like a good deal to you?”

Additionally, said Gomez, happy members can install their creditunion's branded Calcubot on their personal Facebook pages, “turningthem into non-commissioned sales people,” said Gomez.

Gomez acknowledged that many widgets – basically tinyapplications that perform a defined function – are beginning toshow up on Facebook.

But, he said, “the ones I have seen are very promotional. Oursis informational, professional” and, accordingly, he says it suitscredit unions with their focus on member education.

The Kinecta loan widget is here.Numerica's is here.