Group Health Credit Union announced today that they are changing their name to Salal CU. Salal is a plant indigenous to the Northwest and has been used for medicinal purposes. It’s a hearty little shrub that can grow in almost any conditions. By definition I can see why they would choose this name – but it’s hard to say, even for a native Northwesterner. It’s not very melodic. And after a couple of martinis, fuhgettaboutit.
I heard somewhere that when you name a child or a pet you should test it by yelling it from your front porch. “Here Muffin Head!” “Cleatus, time for dinner!” Are you okay with yelling that out loud? Does it feel silly? Is it too long? Is it hard to spit out? I think CU namers should adopt this practice.
“I’m going to Salal to deposit my paycheck!” Hmmmm……
Salal CU logo (on left)
Real Salal (below)
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April 22, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Glenn Coble
It’s a pretty plant… but it sounds like they are trying to hide something. Some board in a stratigic planning meeting came up with that name
April 22, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Tim Johnson
Too bad Google didn’t follow your business naming model, they may have caught on…
April 22, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Denise Wymore
Good point. Except when you’re the first at something – you’re allowed to go crazy. When you’re in a 100 year old category – not so much.
May 14, 2010 at 1:19 am
Jeanne Murray
I personally hate the new name. I’ve been a member at Group Health Credit Union for over 20 years. GHCU sounded far more credible than “Salal.” Even the folks at the shared branch I use out-of-state said it sounds “unflattering.” I agree.
Add to this the fact that I never received a NOTICE of the name change. I found out the hard way when I went to deposit my check and GHCU had simply disappeared from the computer data base. No indicators of a name change… just gone.
It just feels fishy to have a big name change during these economic times. Makes me wonder WHY?! Having a hard time buying their happy little explanation. Bad timing. Bad choice for a name.