"We offer instant issue custom debit cards, so it was a no brainer to make some zombie designs," Linda Bodie, Chief + Innovator at the $28 million institution based in Charleston, W.V., said.

This year, the credit union increased social media marketing to promote the cards and introduced a new Zombie Account, which is a checking/debit type account that enables qualified members to earn special dividends (up to 5%). Also, Element donates $.05 for each credit transaction in a Zombie Account to a local charitable organization.

Members can choose from five zombie designs. The cards are proving popular with members of all ages and genders with more than 200 cards distributed so far, Bodie said.

The credit union is also supporting two community Halloween events.

"Whether during Halloween or any other time of year, Element Credit Union is very involved with this community and supporting its residents, businesses and fun," Bodie concluded.

Next Up: Genisys CU Takes Frankenstein to School

In celebration of Halloween and in recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, Genisys Credit Union has helped to bring the national program, Don't Be a Monster, to schools in southeast Michigan this month.

By partnering with an area haunted attraction and a community theater, the credit union hopes to help youth learn how to prevent and cope with bullying by making positive choices, according to a press release announcing the partnership.

"Studies show that 28% of students in grades 6-12 experience bullying and that 70.6% of young people say they have seen bullying in their schools," Jackie Buchanan, president/CEO at the $1.6 billion Genisys, based in Auburn Hills, Mich, said in the press release. "We care about the youth in our community and want to help them understand how name calling, teasing, spreading rumors, leaving people out and other actions can hurt people."

The anti-bullying program, Don't Be a Monster, was launched in 2012 in San Antonio, Texas, by owners of a haunted house attraction and has spread to at least 10 cities, according to the program's website.

During 45-minute Don't Be a Monster presentations, students watch video clips about "Frank," an unusual teenager tormented by his classmates. The presentations also include educational games, discussion and an appearance by Frank, the star of the program. In addition, students receive a Don't Be a Monster wristband, the website said.

To bring the program to Michigan, Genisys CU partnered with Erebus Haunted Attraction in Pontiac, Mich., and Olympia Entertainment, which produced Evil Dead: The Musical at City Theater in Detroit.

As part of the Don't Be a Monster campaign, The credit union is offering discounted tickets to those two local attractions.

Next Up: Summit CU Hustles for Halloween

Instead of handing out sugar-filled snacks, Summit Credit Union has encouraged the community to get healthier this Halloween.

Summit is the main sponsor for the 5th Annual Haunted Hustle, a family-friendly event set for Oct. 25 and 26, Joanne Belanger, vice president of public relations and digital marketing for the $2 billion institution, headquartered in Madison, Wis., said.

In addition to a 5K, 10K and marathon races for adults, the event features a stroller derby and a kid's race, Belanger said.

There will also be a costume contest with over $2,000 in cash prizes.

The event is of one of many efforts this year by Summit to promote physical and fiscal fitness.

As part of the Haunted Hustle campaign, Summit's contact center staff members plan to host a pumpkin carving contest, which will encourage the community to vote on the greatest pumpkin via social media, Belanger said.

Next Up: Who Cares About Nature? ECCU!

Educational Community Credit Union's owl mascot, Whoolio, was one of the featured guests at Creatures of the Night, a family-friendly event that held at one of the nation's top nature preserves Oct. 25, the credit union said.

"We love the fun and educational opportunity that Creatures of the Night offers families," Judy Swafford, marketing supervisor, of the $412 million institution, based in Kalamazoo, Mich., said.

ECCU partnered with Kalamazoo Nature Center, which is hosting the event. Credit union staff members will greet families and give away financially fun coloring books and crayons, Swafford said.

"We're excited to sponsor it this year and offer a great discount for our members at the same time," she explained.

The credit union's branches are selling discounted admission vouchers, exclusively for members.

Children and parents will be invited to take guided trail tours, learn about common animal myths and look for creatures in their natural setting. Participants will also be able to make crafts, enjoy snacks and sip hot cider.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center is part of ECCU's #makeastatement campaign, which encourages members to sign up for electronic statements by offering cash incentives and a way to support local charities, the credit union said.

"With our mascot being an owl, it was a natural fit for Whoolio to attend the Creatures of the Night event," Swafford said. "Our partnership with the KNC will reinforce ECCU's brand as a financial institution that cares about community and the environment."

Next up: Cob Webs, Dust Bunnies and Skeletons in Closets, Oh My!

Southern Select Community Credit Union has stepped into the darkest, dingiest corners of members' imagination with its latest promotion.

As part of its Scary Room Contest, the cooperative invited members to submit photos for a chance to win a $500 gift card.

Social media messages asked, "Have a room so ugly it scares you?"

Members were encouraged to upload a photo of a room in dire straits so they could have a chance to remodel it.

Participants were encouraged to share photos and invite others to vote.

Voting will end on Oct. 30 and the member who posted the photo with the most votes will receive the gift card, the credit union said.

To launch the contest, the $32 million cooperative in Kannapolis, N.C.,  partnered with Greenville, S.C.-based Your Marketing Co.

Members have enjoyed the campaign, the credit union said.

"The Facebook interaction has been great," said Meg Robertson, a relationship development manager with Your Marketing Co., who helped to coordinate the campaign. "Our page likes increased by 1,200%, our post reach increased by 225%, our total reach increased by 283% and our engagement increased by 512%."

"The first increase we saw in engagement was purely organic,"  Robertson explained. "By followers liking and sharing the post, it was pushed further out into Facebook."

"The second increase was a combination of paid and organic," she continued. "The Facebook ads were run for three days for a very small amount. The promotion was set up in ShortStack and integrated in less than an hour."

"That included formatting images, creating the form, testing, and posting to Facebook," she added. "It took about 15 minutes to set up the Facebook ads, including design and scheduling."

Next Up: Spooky Savings at Nevada One

It didn't seem like a ghastly gamble when Nevada One Federal Credit Union launched its most recent promotion.

The cooperative invited more than 90,000 pre-approved consumers throughout Nevada to treat themselves to great loan rates as part of its Spooky Auto Savings Promotion.

"This is the largest auto pre-approval we have ever produced," Greg Barnes, SVP of marketing for the $722 million, Las Vegas-based institution, said. "Based on previous campaigns, we expect .05–1.0% response rate from non-members and slightly higher for members."

The credit union is offering terms up to 60 months and up to 125% financing, according to its website.

The campaign mailer included an application form and a postage-paid envelope to return it, Barnes said.

"The cost per mail piece was $1.20 each and acquisition cost will be around $200 per loan," he explained. "Average life of loan will be 26 months, average balance $17k and we will earn about $300 per year for the average loan."

The campaign, ending Nov. 30, is being promoted through direct mail, out-of-home, radio, television, digital and social media, streaming, radio,video pre-rolls and internal cross selling efforts, including online banners, ATM screens and outbound calling, he added.

Next Up: SDCCU Says Boo for a Good Cause

San Diego County Credit Union said this week that more than 20,000 people are expected to attend HauntFest on Main this weekend in El Cajon, Calif.

The cooperative has sponsored the free community festival since its inception three years ago. Proceeds benefit a local non-profit organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, the credit union said.

"We are proud to collaborate with St. Madeleine Sophie's Center to make this free public event a fun treat for the whole family," Teresa Halleck, president of the $6.6 billion San Diego-based organization, said.

St. Madeleine Sophie's Center is just one of the more than 75 non-profit organizations and community events supported annually by SDCCU, Halleck said.

"HauntFest on Main also helps support local downtown businesses that are working hard to serve their local community," she added.

HauntFest-goers are encouraged to wear their best costumes and pose for a family snapshot at the photo booth, the credit union said.

The community festival will feature live entertainment on two stages, craft booths and games, a kids zone, outdoor movies, inflatables, decorated cars, costume contests, a pumpkin patch with prizes for the perfect jack-o-lantern, plus demonstrations by a master carver, the credit union said.