Make Community Connections

Airport Oasis Lounge is an idea to provide a designated airport luxury space intended to bring a “country club” atmosphere to participating credit union members who travel. Check out the link here for a photo and story about the idea. (Note: This idea is currently in development by a Filene i³ team and is being reviewed.)

The Community Impact Center is a shared resource business model to help credit unions partner with public and private enterprises to engage in community development projects in the spirit of “people helping people.”

The idea is to provide a centralized resource to help credit unions intelligently approach CED so they can effectively channel existing government or private funds to communities that need them.

The concept of cash substitutes is certainly not new, but the pace of development and acceptance of new payment systems has increased exponentially. As the willingness to trust different stores of value has increased, so has the ire of retailers who believe they are paying too much in interchange fess to the traditional credit card network systems.

While credit unions earn significant income from credit and debit interchange, what better opportunity to be on the forefront of change than to help develop and control the next major step in payment alternatives?

Imagine going to the register to purchase something at a retailer. Instead of pulling out your wallet, you grab your smartphone (Blackberry or similar device). Within an application on your phone you enter the retailer ID number posted above the register and the amount of your purchase, and instantly a barcode is displayed on your phone, which is then scanned by the retailer to complete your purchase. Your personal information would never be shared with the retailer, and there is no credit or debit number to be compromised.

Check back as this new idea continues to be developed!

The First Step Program targets people who are underserved by banks (those who often gravitate toward check cashers and payday lenders) and assists them in reaching their dreams of getting “one step closer towards financial freedom.”

The key to this program is for credit unions to partner with local community based organizations who have earned the trust and respect of these consumers by serving them when others would not.

MoneyWorks is a program designed to allow Advocates (credit union or contract employees) to market credit union services to consumers, thereby providing a low-cost alternative delivery channel for the credit union, and a source of income for the Advocate. The Advocates will provide information about the credit union, products and services, and special promotions. They will act as a conduit to deliver completed applications to the credit union on behalf of the consumer. The credit union will be responsible for all closings, fulfillment, disclosures and compliance issues.

MoneyWorks is a highly flexible and customizable program, allowing each credit union to utilize their existing recruitment, training and compensation programs.

MoneyWorks has inspired some interesting programs in the financial services market:

• FORUM Credit Union ($1 billion) in Indiana offers the innovation under the name Unofficial Spokesperson (see below for some marketing materials).
• CTCE Federal Credit Union ($84 million) in Pennsylvania developed a referral program for membership and auto loans rewarding their members with $10 for themselves and $10 for the new member. Other referral awards are available as well.

My Community Connection (MCC) is a Web-based portal that makes it easy for your members to find ways to integrate into their communities in a meaningful way. Your members simply log into MCC with their user name and password and can participate in one or more forums that are of interest to them. Please visit the following Web sites for reference:

• Forest Park FCU
• SELCO Credit Union
• Verity Credit Union
• Hopewell FCU