OLYMPIA, Wash. – Credit union giant BECU, which has lent its resources to the state’s small credit unions in the past, is funding a marketing campaign for Tulip Cooperative CU, a $2 million credit union based at the Olympia Food Co-op.
Tulip was created seven years ago to serve low- to moderate-income people, but board members hope to attract the socially conscious borrower to the tiny community development credit union, where loan activity had fallen to $800 from $10,000 at one point.
The marketing campaign, which is being produced by a Spokane-based advertising agency, is expected to be launched this fall. It involves changing the credit union’s logo, Internet videos that can be posted to YouTube and the social networking site Facebook, and print advertising. The credit union also hopes to create signs that will raise its profile at the Olympia Food Co- op’s east side location.
The BECU assistance comes after the $10 billion credit union provided tiny Tulip with a $100,000 non-member deposit. Tulip also receives daily operations support from Washington State Employees CU, while Generations CU, has helped Tulip with collections.
BECU also has assisted Express CU, a low-income credit union in Seattle, with its back-office functions, such as Internet and computer support.
