Reality TV: Who Wants to be the Best CU Saver?

MADISON, Wis. – The Filene Research Institute i3 innovation group is looking for the next credit union TV stars to participating in a reality show in which members compete for the prize as best savers. The reality TCV component of the ‘Savings Revolution’ has already been piloted by GECU in El Paso, Texas, which has six families working through financial challenges to meet their goals. The program relies on local media partnerships and credit union partnership to monitor the progress of competing members working to reach their savings and debt reduction goals over a year. Following the format of reality TV’s Extreme Makeover show, the media airs 90-second vignette which capture the ups and downs of the families as they work towards their goal. The Savings Revolution can be tailored to fit any credit union’s local market, either for local TV, radio or print. The i3 group is developing a web tool that will allow members to set and achieve their own savings and debt reduction goals.