News 12 at 6 O'Clock, November 3, 2009

AUGUSTA -- Tellers helping customers is a familiar scene. It looks like a bank, but it isn't. And supporters will make sure you know the difference.

"I don't want to knock banks, because I love the bankers," says Brian Mulherin. "I don't have to love the banks."

86-year-old Mulherin has used credit unions all his life. He's also a credit union board member and now is part of a push to attract more customers.

Phyllis Cochran, the President of Augusta VAH Federal Credit Union, says bank activities and the recent recession could help.

"Credit Unions have definitely benefited from that, not only from the fact of the mergers but then also the fees that other financial institutions impose," she said.

She says 10 percent of people have switched to credit unions over the last two years and she's seen savings accounts be a big part of that Credit cards haven't helped the banks' cause either.

A newly-released study from Pew Charitable Trust finds every credit card from the largest banks used "unfair or deceptive practices." It also found that credit unions offered lower card rates and penatly fees that were 50 percent lower than banks.

Mulherin has steered away from bank debt and a Georgia Associations of Credit Unions poll found more people may be doing the same.

-- Nearly half (46 percent) of Georgians polled say they spend less than they did last year.
-- 65 percent say their habits will be forever changed by the recession.
-- Almost everyone (88 percent) says there was a time when they weren't good savers.
-- But about half (53 percent) say they could financially support themselves if they lived to be 100 years old.

Click the link below to find out more about credit unions.