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Bancography’s Branch Planning Study & Brand Value Index
In the upcoming weeks Bancography plans to release two significant product updates. First, the Bancography Plan market analysis and branch planning software will include complete demographics from the 2010 U.S. Census and offer a new feature that profiles current branch trade areas in terms of market segments. Reports will show household counts across five primary market segments, comparisons to state and U.S. distribution, and utilization of financial products (e.g., checking, consumer loans, CDs) by segment. Click here for more information on Bancography Plan.
And for the fourth year, bank and credit union brands will be ranked in the Bancography Brand Value Index (BBVI). The BBVI is a quantitative ranking of the brand strength of all U.S. banks, thrifts and credit unions. It identifies institutions that produce financial results beyond what their capital base, market conditions and competitive environments would predict. To learn your institution’s ranking or find out more about the Bancography Brand Value Index, click here.
Weber Marketing Group Named ‘Agency of the Year’
Weber Marketing Group, a strategic branding and marketing firm focused on the financial industry, was named the Marketing Association of Credit Union’s (MAC) Agency of the Year. The award recognizes agencies that produce innovative and creative marketing campaigns and help to further the credit union movement. Weber Marketing Group was honored with the award at the 2011 MAC Conference in San Francisco on June 2 for their body of work throughout 2010. The winner was voted on by credit union marketers attending this year’s conference.
Weber Marketing is also in the process of renaming and rebranding eight separate credit unions across the U.S., including Nevada FCU, Postal Federal Community Credit Union, Armour Kankakee Credit Union and the soon to be merged Yakima Valley + Catholic credit unions. The remaining four credit unions will soon be announced on the company’s website.
You can view a collection of Weber Marketing Group’s recent financial work including TV spots, merchandising, collateral, campaign in this wild montage on YouTube.
ACTON Marketing Drives Auto Loan Growth
ACTON Marketing’s Auto Loan Acquisition Program continues to generate success for banks and credit unions of all sizes. Clients are seeing high response rates and quality applicants because of the specialized work on lists. The program can even pay for itself in the first few days. One new client reports seeing a 949% ROI. Other clients open an average number of loans for an entire year just in the few weeks their ACTON auto campaign runs. All this is accomplished using the financial institution’s standard loan rates and underwriting. Learn more here.
Kiosk & Display Partners with Michigan First Credit Union on Gen-Y Branch
Michigan First Credit Union recently remodeled its branch at Wayne State University’s Student Center. Featured in the new branch are seven digital merchandising screens from The Kiosk & Display Company, aimed at connecting the Gen-Y audience with Michigan First. Two screens are touch-enabled online banking stations for 24/7 transactional access. Two are wide touch screens focused on connecting students to Young & Free, Michigan First’s recently launched youth marketing initiative. Three screens are digital signs which highlight the benefits of banking with Michigan First. The system incorporates social media feeds designed to build the Michigan First brand and personality with this particular branch’s youthful student culture. All Michigan First’s digital merchandising programs are created, installed and managed through a partnership with Kiosk & Display.
To-date, Kiosk & Display has managed nearly 1,000 screens in financial institutions nationwide. The managed services solution provides bank and credit union marketing departments with digital display networks of branded and relevant merchandising campaigns that increase member interaction and satisfaction. You can learn more at Kiosk & Display’s website, or by giving company president Jon VanderMeer a call at 800-724-8947.
MICHIGAN FIRST CU – WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT CENTER
Featuring seven digital merchandising screens to connect to Gen-Y students.
CUNA Offers Wealth of Resources
Blog on Compliance
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is launching several compliance related resources, including the new CompBlog. Not sure if you can keep photocopies of drivers’ licenses in loan files? Can federal credit unions be closed more than three straight days? CUNA’s team of experts attack the myths and answer your questions. Access the new CompBlog by clicking the icon at the bottom of CUNA’s home page.
New Environmental Scan Released
CUNA has just released its new 2011-2012 Environmental Scan. Based on extensive research conducted by CUNA’s National Research Group, the E-Scan presents trends and projections critical to the credit union movement and ideas for action. The report is commonly used by credit union executives and boards for strategic and business planning. The demographic, marketing and financial literacy chapters may be of particular interest. You can find a summary of the major trends the report explores by clicking here.
Growth Conference
The CUNA Community Credit Union & Growth Conference is coming up October 24-27 in San Francisco. CUNA promises innovative speakers, bold strategic tactics and unique ways for credit unions to target their markets. Information about this event can be found here.
CUES Expands Learning and Networking Opportunities
There’s a brand new school coming up in September, CUES School of Product & Channel Management. Led by leading industry experts from Cornerstone Advisors, the course offers a customized tool kit which will help you build your credit union’s own Delivery Channel Assessment and Future Road Map. You can find out more about CUES School of Product & Channel Management here.
CUES has partnered with BVS Performance Systems to offer staff training tools and online educational courses for credit unions. Full details of the partnership will be made available sometime in early September.
Also around the first of September, CUES should be announcing the winners of the 2011 CUES Golden Mirror Awards. Stay tuned!
And don’t forget to book your trip to Las Vegas, where CUES will be hosting its CEO/Executive Team Network coming up this November.
Third Degree Advertising – Credit Union Savvy
The book Credit Union Savvy by Third Degree Advertising is now available on Amazon. The 190-page book includes strategic insights on corporate culture, social media, branding, advertising and marketing communication for credit unions from Roy Page, CEO and founder of Third Degree Advertising. Specifically written for credit union CEOs and marketers, the material is presented through case studies and anecdotes with a fresh, friendly take. You can buy the book for $12.99 here.
You should also check out the Credit Union Savvy website, where credit union marketers can find ideas, insights and inspiration.
Concepts Unlimited – You Could Be a Winner
Sarah Knott, Graphic Designer at Tennessee Valley FCU in Chattanooga, TN was pleasantly surprised to learn her entry was drawn as the winner of an iPad in the Concepts Unlimited promotion advertised on The Financial Brand. Also winning free project creative services for her credit union was Jane Kennedy of Utilities Employees Credit Union in Wyomissing, PA. Congratulations to Sarah and Jane!
Don’t forget, two more winners will be selected on October 21st, so get your entry in now.
CU*SWAG Zombie Invasion
Credit unions looking for a ghoulishly creative auto loan promotion in October should check out Branch Invaders from the folks at CU*SWAG and PTP New Media. This zombie-themed kit includes all the collateral (online and offline) and strategy (internal and external) for your credit union to build buzz while getting results! This campaign is exclusive, and only one credit union per region can reserve it! Click here see if your area is available.
Banzai
Dozens of credit unions across the country are utilizing the free, customizable website www.whatsacu.com from Banzai. The website is used to teach the basics of credit unions to junior high and high school students, including a short video, key benefits and a financial literacy quiz. Every credit union that signs up receives a unique URL that they can brand with their own logo. WhatsACU.com is part of an ongoing effort by Banzai to teach financial literacy to students across the nation.
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