Workshop On Internet Services
BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-Kern Schools FCU recently hosted "Get Online, Not In Line: Convenient Services," a free workshop for members to receive personalized, one-on-one banking assistance and to learn more about DataNet, Kern Schools FCU's online banking platform. Approximately 20 members took part in this workshop, and those that did were trained in bill pay, ordering copies of checks, initiating automated transfers and setting up security alerts via DataNet.
The $1.3-billion Kern Schools FCU serves more than 193,000 members.
'Project Money' Families Chosen
MADISON, Wis.-A quartet of local families has been chosen from 140 applicants to participate in "Project Money" and receive reality-based financial guidance from Summit CU between now and the end of 2011.
The four families selected come from a variety of backgrounds and financial situations, including having work hours cut, dealing with unexpected medical bills, saving for retirement and paying down high credit card debt, respectively. Each family will work closely with a Summit CU staffer throughout Project Money, and their individual stories will be featured at http://projectmoney.summitcreditunion.com. The credit union will also utilize social media such as Facebook and blogging to communicate the participants' progress and interact and share their stories with the community.
This is the third time Summit CU has run Project Money; families that participated in the first two increased their savings by a total of more than $21,000 and decreased their debt by almost $75,000.
The $1.6-billion Summit CU serves more than 119,000 members.
Purdue Cards Crack Top 100
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.-The Visa credit card program from Purdue FCU here recently cracked the top 100 of the nation's 1,400 principal issuers of Visa consumer credit cards. Currently sitting at 99, up from number 117 one year ago, the credit union reported it has has boosted its Visa credit card penetration in part as the exclusive issuer for the Purdue Alumni Association's affinity credit card-a contract that was formerly held by Bank of America. Rankings are issued by measuring credit card portfolio growth via the number of accounts, purchase activity and balances. The $650-million Purdue Federal's credit card program was also recently named as a Fair and Ethical Credit Card by CreditCardConnection.org.
Members Positive About BALANCE
WARMINSTER, Penn.-Freedom CU here is reporting strong member interest to BALANCE, a free "financial fitness" program with which the credit union has partnered.
Members can access BALANCE via the web, e-mail or a toll-free hotline, and can receive confidential counseling to help better understand and control their finances, learn to manage debt, develop savings plans, get assistance with identity theft solutions, credit score issues and more. The BALANCE website includes courses such as "Rebuilding After A Financial Crisis," "Finances for College Students" and "10 Steps to Financial Success."
The $490-million Freedom CU reported that more than 1,700 of its members have used the BALANCE service, including more than 1,000 so far in 2011.
First Biz Loans Are Closed
ST. LOUIS-Gateway Metro CU here closed its first small business loan. The credit union already offers a pair of business account options alongside the new small business loans. The $183-million GMCU's first loan went to the Chiropractic Wellness Clinic.
Loan For Solar Project
BRIDGEWATER, N.J.-The $400-million Financial Resources FCU here recently announced the closure of a deal to help place a photovoltaic solar panel atop the roof of a manufacturing plant in Middlesex, N.J. The $2.6-million loan will help fund the installation for the system, which will cover nearly 1.5 acres and produce more than 600 kilowatts of electrical power-the amount needed to power nearly 60 homes for one year. The solar power will also almost completely offset the plant's current electrical power use, reducing carbon emissions by more than 800 tons per year.
Fairwinds A Preferred Lender
ORLANDO, Fla.-Fairwinds CU here was named as a "preferred lender" by the Small Business Administration earlier this year and reports it has already approved more than $1.25 million in such loans, with more to come. Fairwinds-which serves 144,000 members with more than $1.5 billion in assets-is Florida's only CU with a "preferred lender" status, and the institution offers streamlined loans such as its "SBA Express" and "Patriot Express" loans up to $1 million that do not require the same extensive paperwork as other SBA loans.
80 Checking Accounts Added
SCHERERVILLE, Ind.-The $147-million Advance Financial FCU reports it gained over 80 new checking accounts and added 40 members following a two-month promotion that offered the chance to score seats for one of baseball's biggest rivalries. Any AAFCU member who opened a "Better Than Free" or "Advantage Plus" checking account was entered into a drawing for box-seat tickets and lunch at Wrigley Field when the Chicago Cubs took on the Chicago White Sox.
