Corporate governance

A young, local television host recently highlighted the credit union difference on her show, "Socially Sound With Shama," on CW33-TV.

Credit union marketers battling a tough economy should put their focus in three areas.

It's an old adage because it's a truism, one person believes: You've got to spend money to make money.

The evolution in credit union marketing has been forced by economic necessity to become a much more strategic and comprehensive function.

With young consumers citing convenience as the primary reason they choose a financial institution, credit unions have work to do on both communications and lending fronts to get more youth in the door.

Issuing a debit card to high school students can help maintain ties with youth once they graduate, but branding the card with the school's image makes the plastic even stickier.

DENVER – In one of the biggest field of membership bids, Denver Community CU has requested approval from state regulators to add more than 1 million people to its field of membership in Arapahoe and Adams counties, the fourth of the state’s biggest credit unions to expand into a growing enclave adjacent to Denver.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Fairwinds CU is offering fans of arena football’s Orlando Predators an opportunity to “Kick for Cash” and win $500 at an upcoming Predators game.

LAKE MARY, Fla. – CFE FCU will celebrate its 75th birthday—known as the diamond anniversary—by giving away half carat diamonds in a social media Dash for Diamonds Sweepstakes.

MADISON, Wis. – Regular online surveys to keep abreast of member sentiment should be a key part of a credit union’s social media programs, a new study by the Filene Research Institute suggests.

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pen Air FCU is offering members a variety of checking options that provide different rewards through five different accounts: the Travel Package, Shopping Package, Credit Package, Fraud Protection Package and Peace of Mind Package.

Credit unions could learn a thing or two from the big banks about how to run an ad campaign.

The Indiana league, in cooperation with the Kentucky league, is rolling out a multi-media campaign in support of the "iBelong" awareness effort.

The recession has come with another cost that, sadly, is often overlooked, believes one person: a noticeable downgrade in the professionalism of marketing at many CUs.

No department within credit unions has felt the budget axe as much as the marketing department over the past few years.

Great rates and great service? Not good enough, says one marketing professional.

ANTIGO, Wis. – CoVantage CU is working with D.C. Everest Junior High School and John Muir Middle School to offer a savings program to students called “Mad About Money.”

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – New resources related to Best Practices in collections, stress-testing of loan portfolios, card fraud, creating a “cooperative score” and investment strategies have been added to CUllaborationNation.com.

JOHNSTOWN, Penn. – Johnstown School Employees FCU was granted a TIP charter (tradewide, industrywide or professionwide) from NCUA, allowing the $9-million credit union to serve all education workers in surrounding Cambria and Somerset counties.

DALLAS – Resource One CU, a $325-million credit union, has applied to state regulators to expand its field of membership to cover a huge swatch of territory covering more than 5 million people in Harris, Collin and Denton counties.