Tellers at the $730-million State Employees Credit Union (SECU) have been wearing mortarboards and wedding veils to let members know that SECU offers themed designed gift cards for graduations, weddings, birthdays, and other occasions.
According to PSCU Financial Services, St. Petersburg, Fla., the SECU Visa Gift Card is a prepaid card that can be used anywhere a Visa debit card is accepted. SECU members can order personalized, theme-designed gift cards from the credit union's website or purchase them in branch locations. Gift cards can be activated online or with a toll-free phone call. Tellers activate instant issuance gift cards that are purchased at the branch, said the company, which is administering the program.
Because it is a prepaid card, spending is limited to the amount of money placed on the card by the purchaser. Each time the gift card is used, the purchase amount is automatically deducted from the card balance.
SECU launched its gift card program at the end of 2004 with the help of its card processor PSCU Financial Services, who also hosts the online site for fulfilling personalized gift card sales.
"We are more than half way to our first year target number of gift cards sold," said Janet Robert, SECU Credit Card Operations Manager. "The SECU gift cards are promoted on our website, in newsletters and through seasonal in-branch signage. Our tellers increase awareness for the program-while having some fun-by wearing mortarboards and wedding veils."
According to PSCU Financial Services, instant issuance cards are very popular at SECU, with twice as many cards purchased to date at the branch, compared to the number of personalized gift cards purchased online. "The ability to provide gift cards on the spot for the walk-in branch traffic has proven to be extremely popular," said PSCUFS CEO David J. Serlo.
