MADISON, Wis. – Credit union executives will be able to vote for the best of the latest slew of innovations proposed by the Filene Research Institute in an online “Idea Idol” being aired by the credit union think tank Sept. 14.
The latest ideas include: Flex.One – a first mortgage combined into a Home Equity Line of Credit with all the capabilities of a checking account; HomeTrak – a program that allows homeowners to keep track of the remaining life and replacement cost of all appliances, mechanicals and big-ticket items in their homes; Heartfelt Hands – which uses the “angel tree” concept of recognizing an emergency financial need and matching that financial need with members who are willing to help; and The Signal – a website that helps consumers navigate through the questions and complexities of disability benefits and asset building.
“Credit unions have always been intimately involved with the selection of every idea we put in our lab,” said Denise Gabel, Filene Research Institute’s Chief Innovation Officer. “We’ve already played Paula and Simon. With four ideas this close together in quality and potential, we wanted to use a new way to add the voice of our marketplace.”
Representatives from the Filene Research Institute’s i3 program will present their product or service ideas in concise, three-minute pitches, followed by a brief question and answer period. The audience will be asked to provide feedback and vote for their favorite idea based on the following criteria:
• Positive impact on consumers
• Positive impact on credit unions
• Their willingness to pilot and implement the idea
Interested parties can register for the Filene Research Institute’s Idea Idol contest before Sept. 13 at:
