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Coin counting machines can help credit unions increase the number of visitors to their brick-and-mortar branches on a regular basis by offering niche services that attract savings-conscious individuals.

Many financial institutions are struggling to make sense of conflicting market reports about American spending habits. A recent report from the online publication Bankrate found that roughly 30 percent of more than 1,000 consumers surveyed said they have not visited a bank or credit union branch in the past six months. In the past 30 days from the time of the survey, 42 percent of those aged under 30 had visited one of these institutions. For individuals older than 50, that number was 10 percentage points higher.

The takeaway isn't necessarily that fewer young people are interested in visiting credit union branches in person. According to Ameriprise Financial, millennials - or anyone born after 1980 - make more concerted efforts to reduce discretionary spending than baby boomers or those from Generation X. If these younger Americans are actively looking for ways to save money in today's tight economic conditions, financial establishments have the opportunity to enlist more members by offering targeted services that satisfy these impulses.

One way a credit union can increase in-branch traffic is to offer self-service coin counters in the lobby. Setting aside loose change in jar every day is one of the most tried and true savings tactics. Over time, the coins accumulated from small cash transactions can add up and lead to the opportunity for substantial rewards later on. Converting this money into cash is most easily completed by accessing one of these automated machines. Most financial institutions are well aware of the fact that the market is changing. However, the right tools can help credit unions take advantage of these situations in a way that has a positive effect on overall business.