Local Chambers of Commerce are the best bet to increase memberbusiness lending and the $396 million Generations Federal CreditUnion in Texas is launching an active campaign this year includinghosting one of the key “How 2” sessions this week in north SanAntonio, the credit union said.

The sessions include breakfast and time for networking and aredesigned to provide local small-business owners with tools,information and resources to expand their operations. Social media,leadership and lending with a link to credit union offerings areall covered by internal and outside speakers.

“These Chamber partnerships are a great way for Generations to network with small businesses and let themknow that Generations is here to be their financial advocate,” saidTim Haegelin, president/CEO.

The series, averaging one a quarter at Chambers across metro SanAntonio plus various event sponsorships, are aimed at developingsmall business relationships “at a time when other financialinstitutions are not,” said Haegelin.

Generations' goal, he said, is to let small business leadersknow that the San Antonio credit union will have the services readyto help make their operations a success, he said.

Having moved up to title sponsors of the “How 2 series”Generations executives at each session first talk about productsand services followed by speakers drawn from accounting, legal andmarketing and operations areas.

Ashley Harris, director of corporate communications, saidGenerations has often found the Chamber meetings are an excellentsource for lead generation.

“Too often when people think Chamber events, they simply thinkabout the networking coffees or cocktail hours that are attended bythe same people over and over again,” said Harris. “But Chamberevents such as the How 2 Series, that are very targeted andstrategic, are well attended, and more importantly, they areattended by individuals who are right within our target market andare making important business decisions.”

Generations recently served as co-sponsor of the San AntonioHispanic Chamber of Commerce Small Business Expo, an event wellattended by small business owners, Harris said.

Harris, a director of the Texas Credit Union League's AlamoChapter, said she often invites

Chamber presidents to speak at monthly events.

“It's just a great way to get top of mind awareness in front ofan organization that can be a very valuable business partner,” saidHarris.