The Vermont clash over the “B” word – as in “bank” or “banking”– widened Wednesday as CUNA, two state leagues and a NewJersey credit union weighed in.

As one offshoot from the legal fray which is currently embroiling the $600 millionVermont State Employees Credit Union of Montpelier in a threatenedcease-and-desist order, CUNA and the South Carolina Credit Union League suggested that copyrightprotection remains a key defense for at least one national branding campaign, “Every Day Is Bank Transfer Day.”

• UPDATE, Oct. 8, 2012, Vermont Credit Union, Regulator Settle 'B' WordDispute

In a statement issued with approval by Steve Fowler,president/CEO of the South Carolina league, the trade group arguedthat at least on the narrow issue of “Every Day Is Bank TransferDay” marketing, “trademark protection of the phrase for use by anycredit union nationwide could help Vermont credit unions fill thevoid.”

That might be the case should the Vermont regulator, StevenKimbell, commissioner and head of the Department of FinancialRegulation, side with the banking lobby and bar VSECU or otherstate-chartered credit unions in Vermont from using the terms“bank” or “banking” in their marketing.