Help Your Customers Collect State Quarters Through the ABA Coin Program.

• Author: Albro, Walt

Interested in attracting more upscale customers into your lobby? One way to do that is by selling gift sets of collectible coins through the ABA Coin program.

Sets of the new state quarters have been popular since the U.S. Mint started producing five new quarters a year beginning in 1999, according to Christine Walika, director of the ABA Community Bankers Council. Sets of American Eagle silver dollars and $5 gold coins are also available.

About 2,000 ABA member banks participate in the program, which started in 1987. Customers buy coin sets either to collect or give as gifts, says Walika. Sales tend to increase in the spring-when customers shop for graduation and wedding gifts--and during Christmas.

The program has been popular among community banks seeking to attract well--educated, high-income customers-the demographic profile of coin collectors. The ABA...