SEATTLE-A twist on the usual electronic birthday card will help educate young credit union members and their parents at the same time.
KideCard, created by Credit Union Strategic Planning, is a pre-packaged but customizable card that can be replicated unlimited times by CUs that purchase the $499 one-year license.
The interactive card allows both parents and kids to learn about the history of finance and money, as well as what their local credit unions can do to help them meet long-term goals. There are two versions of the KideCard, one for children ages 6 to 12 and one for those 13 and older, each of which guide the user through a number of interesting facts that draw in the intended audience.
"It's a fun way to learn; it's an interesting and interactive card," said Melina Young, principal and president of Credit Union Strategic Planning, who suggested that the card could be the first step in building real long-term relationships with young members that they can keep for life.
KideCard was launched just over a month ago and already several credit unions have expressed interest in the product, according to Young. CUs that purchase a license are able to stamp their logos on each card, providing the credit union with the ability to brand a campaign around the product as its own.
"First and foremost, a credit union must speak to young members the way they communicate: electronically," Jamie Chase, owner of Credit Union Strategic Planning, said in a statement. "KideCard allows the credit union to do more than congratulate the young member; it gives the credit union the power to enhance its brand and the entire concept of credit unions."
And because most young children do not have their own e-mail accounts, the card reaches out far beyond its youthful audience by giving CUs the opportunity to capture parents' accounts addresses, thereby opening up another contact point.
"It ensures that the parent is there learning [as well]; a lot of parents don't know about the credit union difference either," Young pointed out.
Credit unions that do not have youth clubs or that are working with limited information can announce the cards to the membership, and invite parents to submit their children's names and birthdays, the organization suggested.
For info: www.kidecard.org
