Bethpage loans up 8% for October

Bethpage Federal Credit Union said it made loans totaling eight percent more than a year earlier in October, the month leading up to “Bank Transfer Day” Nov. 5 when credit unions sought to cash in on bad feelings toward big banks over risky mortgage investments and nuisance fees.

Bethpage said it wrote $124 million in loans in October — including $100 million in mortgages, both new and refinances. The credit union said applications for mortgages in the month rose by 12 percent over a year earlier to 869.

The credit union, which has 24 branches, all on Long Island, previously reported big increases from a year earlier in new members and checking accounts opened during the week that included Nov. 5.