Contact: Public Relations Coordinator
(800) 342-9835, ext. 8130

(Albany, NY) – Universal Sharing Network (UsNet), New York’s conduit to shared branching, is pleased to announce an Incentive Plan to help defray the upfront costs related to becoming a network participant.

Under the plan, any new participating credit union is entitled to receive combined incentives equal to the initial up-front costs of purchasing their data processor’s shared branching interface. The total incentive package may be worth up to $25,000 in value.

The incentive offer will be available to credit unions entering into a contract with UsNet through December 31, 2008.

 “It is our ongoing goal to expand the network so that more credit unions and their members can enjoy the benefits of shared branching,” said Jim Doig, UsNet board chairman and president/CEO of Sidney FCU. “We recognize that the initial investment necessary to acquire the shared branching interface from data processors can be significant…UsNet is excited to be in a position to help credit unions with this Incentive Plan.”

Credit unions wanting to find out more about the Incentive Plan, its conditions, or how to participate in shared branching should contact Marc Inger at (800) 342-9835, ext. 8192 or minger@universalsharing.com.

UsNet (Universal Sharing Network) is part of a national network of credit unions committed to expanding services to their members through CU Service Centers. Members of participating credit unions can do business from any CU Service Center in New York State and around the U.S. – over 3,200 locations in all, covering 46 states. For more information about UsNet, visit www.universalsharing.com.