Filene Research Institute

Through independent research and innovation, the Filene Research Institute explores issues vital to the future of credit unions and consumer finance.


Filene's Ideas Grow Here

  1. Interesting

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    Don’t tell me that “credit unions and financial stuff is too boring to communicate in an interesting way.” That’s horse hockey.

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    categories » Marketing, Consumer Behavior and Market Research

  2. $100,000 Is a Lot of Money

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    Last year, Billie Smith, an extremely nice 86-year-old lady from Michigan made a few $25 deposits. Today, she won $100,000.

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    categories » Innovation, Filene News, Innovation, Filene News, Innovation, Filene News, Innovation, Filene News, Innovation, Filene News

  3. Customer Experience and Credit Union Opportunities: A Collaboration with McKinsey & Company

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    “Credit unions seem to be like the guy who’s best friends with every girl in school but can’t get a date.”

    Every high school has a Tom. He’s a decent student, and he’ll attend an OK college. He’s on the cross-country team but finishes most races out of the top 10. His pants are a few years past the going style. Tom is earnest and sincere, and actually pretty fun once you get to know him. His sincerity has won him the confidence of many of the girls. But Tom has one big hang-up. When it comes to serious dating, Tom always strikes out. He can get a date to the dance, but long-term, steady relationships are where he falls short. Every girl likes Tom well enough, but none of them will commit to him. Credit unions are like Tom.

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    categories » Consumer/Member Data, Human Resource Issues, Marketing, Consumer Behavior and Market Research

  4. Encouraging Disruption

    Disruptive

    The best innovations are disruptive. They change human behavior, turn status quo upside down, relieve stress for some, and increase stress for others (the competition, mainly). Interestingly, as we all reach for that game-changing, disruptive idea, we are simultaneously promoting the exact opposite within our organizations. Conformity, predictability, and normalcy are traits that make the days go by smoother. These are the traits that get you hired, promoted, and trusted.

    These are also the traits that virtually guarantee that you will never disrupt the marketplace with any meaningful innovation.

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    categories » Innovation, Innovation, Innovation, Innovation

  5. Key Findings: Blueprints for Innovation (early 2010)

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    Filene’s i3 innovation program is pleased to make available to credit unions 14 new ideas in its latest innovation catalog Key Findings: Blueprints for Innovation (early 2010 edition). In addition, one idea is from a previous catalog that is now gaining national traction is featured: Prize-linked Savings.

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    categories » Innovation

  6. Do

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    In a famous academic study researchers set up two displays of jams in a grocery store. One display had 24 varieties of jam and the other display had only 6 varieties of jam. During the study, the academics (presumably in white lab coats behind a one way mirror with clipboards) observed how many consumers stopped to sample the jams and how many consumers actually bought the jam at each display. The results…

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  7. To Do: 2010

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    In my view, there is one document that holds the key to the future of credit unions…drum roll please…the credit union bylaws. Seriously. Issues related to purpose, board governance, field of membership, and cooperative principles are all illuminated there. From an innovation and growth perspective, credit unions must always keep the member in the center.

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    categories » Innovation, Policy, Management

  8. Helping you think and do in 2010

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    Filene Members,

    Happy Holidays! Thank you for your continued support! Research and innovation are common ingredients in any economic recovery, and our pipeline is bulging from your many requests. Among the dozens of projects underway at Filene, here is a sample of what you can expect from us in 2010:

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    categories » Filene News, Philosophy and Values, Filene News, Philosophy and Values, Filene News, Philosophy and Values, Filene News, Philosophy and Values, Filene News, Philosophy and Values, Filene News, Philosophy and Values

  9. Ideas in Action Podcast # 2

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    In the second “Ideas in Action” podcast Matt Davis interviews Hank Hubbard, President/CEO of Communicating Arts Credit Union in Detroit, Michigan. Hubbard talks about how his small, Community Development Credit Union puts ideas, no matter how big and how many associated barriers exist, into action.

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    categories » Innovation, Podcasts and Videos

  10. The Credit C.A.R.D. Act: Opportunities and Challenges for Credit Unions

    Web

    How will the 2009 C.A.R.D. Act affect credit unions? The industry-wide return on assets of credit cards plunged from 3.3% in 2006 to 1.4% in 2008 and huge issuers will need to recoup those profits in the new environment. Author Adam Levitin calls the act “the most significant piece of credit card legislation in a generation” and highlights implications and strategic options for credit unions in this report:

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    categories » Consumer/Member Data, Marketing, Consumer Behavior and Market Research, Policy