SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. 5

LENGTH: 109 words

HEADLINE: Building on bank anger

BODY:
DISSATISFACTION with the major banks has led to credit union memberships rising by almost 200,000 customers a year. The Credit Union Services Corporation said membership was growing by 2 per cent every year as consumers avoid bank fees and charges.

Corporation spokeswoman Fleur Lavarack said consumer anger over ATM and bank fees helped lift the number of members in more than 213 credit unions throughout the country.

Her comments were backed by individual credit unions which said the major banks had alienated many consumers.

Building societies said yesterday that they had also benefited from the controversy surrounding bank fees.

LOAD-DATE: December 3, 2001