New Site's Goal To 'Convince More Consumers' To Join CUs

WASHINGTON-CUNA next week plans to unveil a new web-based tool the trade group says "can play a critical role in helping not only to tell the credit union story, but to convince more consumers nationwide to consider-and then join-a credit union."

Plans call for going live with the site, called "aSmarterChoice.org," during CUNA's Governmental Affairs Conference on Feb. 28. The site was developed through a partnership between CUNA and the state credit union associations (leagues), with development costs borne entirely by the state associations, according to CUNA.

There will be no charge for consumers or credit unions to use the website.

"A key element of 'aSmarterChoice.org' will be the first, consolidated and comprehensive 'credit union locater,' which will direct consumers to a credit union they can join, with minimal hassle and no confusion," CUNA said in a statement. "The credit union finder will include all credit unions-regardless of their charter, affiliation, size or business models."

aSmarterChoice.org will also include basic information about credit unions, the latest "good news" about credit unions appearing in the national, regional and local news media, and much more, CUNA said.

According to CUNA, the idea for the project came from a task force assembled by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), which identified a key goal for the new web tool: Helping credit unions build membership.

The task force was chaired by Paul Gentile, president of the New Jersey CU League.

In a released statement, CUNA President and CEO Bill Cheney said the site will give the credit union movement a sustainable presence that can continually drive membership growth.

Coming Next Week: Credit Union Journal's Expanded Politics Coverage in Conjunction With CUNA's GAC, Including a Special Feature on CU Execs and Volunteers Who Also Hold Elected Office

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