Go Green Sweepstakes Nears End
FERNDALE, Mich.-Members at Credit Union ONE here can win cash and prizes by going green and paying their bills online in the CU's "It Pays to Go Green Sweepstakes." Participating members earn entries into the contest by signing up and using online bill pay. Up to 20 entries are available per person.
Prizes will be awarded each week until the contest ends on June 30, with participants eligible to win prizes such as a 10-piece garden set, a Kindle e-reader and even a $1,500 grand prize.
Separately, Credit Union ONE announced that in the two years since launching its Cash Back Checking initiative, more than $602,000 has gone back into members' pockets. Nearly 10,000 members have seen cash rewards this year, with more than 150 earning $150 or more.
Members enrolled in the Cash Back Checking plan receive points each time they utilize their plastic debit card and sign for those purchases. Members accrue one point for every $2 spent, and points can be redeemed for cash once $3,500 points or more have been accumulated. Cash is deposited directly into the member's checking account. Points never expire and there is no limit to the number of points members can collect.
For more information, visit cuone.org.
Balance Transfer Promo A Success
NORTH CANTON, Ohio-First Ohio Community FCU here completed its 4.99% VISA Balance Transfer Promotion, which ran between March and May as a way to help members lower outstanding debt financed on other cards. All told, the promotion saw more than $100,000 in cash advances and 20 new Visa accounts opened through the credit union. First Ohio Community plans to repeat the promotion again beginning in March 2012.
More info: www.firstohiofcu.org
Grizzlies MVP Card Launched
GRANITE CITY, Ill.-GCS CU here is offering the new Grizzlies MVP debit card, an instant-issue service offered at select CU locations. The Grizzlies MVP card is named for a local minor-league baseball team and is one of several cards the CU is offering with no annual fee. The card offers discounts from the Gateway Grizzlies team, including buy-two-get-two-free tickets and 30% off souvenir purchases on sponsorship nights. The $300-million GCS FCU serves more than 38,000 members throughout two counties in Illinois. For more info: wwww.mygcscu.com.
Call Center Gets Seal Of Approval
SOUTH BEND, Ind.-Teachers CU here said its call center has been certified as a Center of Excellence by Benchmark Portal, in collaboration with Purdue University's Center for Customer-Driven Quality. The recognition is one of the most prestigious honors in the service and support industry.
Benchmark Portal CEO Bill Belfiore said that the honor was "a direct result" of the credit union's commitment to "cost-effective service solutions with best-in-class service performance."
Baxter Adds Premium Visa
VERNON HILLS, Ill.-Baxter CU here has added a Premium Visa Signature Card that is designed to appeal to "active users." BCU is only the second credit union in the country to issue the card.
The card has no pre-set spending limit and a fixed APR ranging from 8.9% to 10.5%. Cardholders also receive 24-hour concierge service, special dining and sporting-event pricing, and discounts on airline tickets, hotels, shopping and car rental.
The card includes a points-based rewards system, and new cardholders receive 10,000 CU Rewards points once the card is activated. Users who spend $50,000 annually receive an additional 10,000 bonus points at the end of the year.
