Credit Unions Archive
Free Checking Not Dead Yet at Credit Unions
“With free checking accounts becoming less prevalent in national banks, credit unions can be an invaluable resource for the average consumer.” — Greg McBride, Bankrate.com According to a study by Bankrate.com, 39 of the 50
Death Panel for America’s Smallest Credit Unions?
Credit unions are celebrated for their smallness much more often than they are maligned by the ABA for their bigness. They are frequently lauded by the mainstream press, Congress and money management experts as cute,
In Depth: Fort Worth Community Promo Campaigns
In 2008, Forth Worth Community Credit Union launched a new brand platform developed by Third Degree Advertising. The agency says the strategy behind the “You’re Worth More” positioning was to differentiate Fort Worth Community from
Credit Unions Dropping ‘Credit Union’ From Their Names
A reader of The Financial Brand recently asked, “Is there any credit union that does not use ‘Credit Union’ in the logo?” The answer is yes. It’s an increasingly common trend as more and more
Can Credit Unions Afford a National Campaign?
The subject of a national campaign for credit unions has been widely debated over the years. Some argue about whether it should be a brand campaign or an awareness campaign. Others dispute what such a
Guam Credit Union Becomes Coast360
The credit union set its logo ablaze at a special event for members and staff where the name was unveiled. (Photo credit: Rick Cruz/Pacific Daily News). Like many credit unions that expand with a community
The Biggest Credit Union Social Media Study Ever
There is little doubt that social media is here to stay. As the list of organizations jumping on the bandwagon grows every second, the same business questions continue to arise: How do we execute it
Share Draft Accounts: Daft or Differentiated?
“If it walks like a duck and squawks like a duck… …it’s a duck.” – Ron Shevlin, Senior Analyst Aite Group What should credit unions call checking accounts? It’s not a trick question. Hundreds of
75 Interesting Credit Union Name Changes in 2009
Callahan & Associates, the credit union industry’s leading analytics firm and publishers of CreditUnions.com, have just released their 2010 Credit Union Directory. Comparing this year’s directory against last year’s, The Financial Brand has noted 75
Credit Union Picks ‘Wildfire’ as New Name
In response to an aging membership and a decaying telephony industry in Michigan, Communications Family Credit Union announced on Monday that it is changing names and is now Wildfire. “With any name change, there’s kind
From “America’s Who?” to “ACU Who?”
America’s Credit Union went out and did some brand equity research. “We asked if people had heard of us,” said the credit union’s marketing director, Heidi Marzolf, in an interview with the News Tribune. “The
Say Why You ‘Intentionally Left Bank,’ Get a T-Shirt
Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union’s “Intentionally Left Bank” campaign (see previous story by The Financial Brand here), is now moving into its second phase. The Washington-based financial institution is asking consumers to share their stories about
Credit Union Sues Bank Over Trademarked Scarlet Letter
Trademarked red ‘M’ triggers lawsuit Two Pennsylvania financial institutions will square off in court over who can — and can’t — use a big, red “M” in their logo. In a court filing, Members 1st
Is ‘Common Bond’ Part of Your Brand?
Credit unions, as not-for-profit organizations, are required to limit their membership in order to qualify for their untaxed status. Historically, this helped create a “common bond” between credit unions and their members. But is this
Two Squirrels Go Nuts for First Tech Credit Union
“Chuck & Leroy” Meet Chuck and Leroy, two squirrels going nuts for First Tech Credit Union in a new brand advertising campaign called First Tech Fans. The credit union worked up quite a backstory on
Credit Union Completes Transformation to ‘Centric’
Last year, Forest Kraft Credit Union changed names and became Centric. The credit union was looking to appeal to a broader segment of the community by differentiating themselves in a crowded financial market with a
LEED Gold Branch for a True-Green Credit Union
Columbia Credit Union is just about as green as financial institutions get. They have green business practices, an E-Go Green Auto Loan, a Living Green Mortgage and they have tips for greener living on their
United FCU Asks Gen-Y to Rant, Vent and Complain
United FCU project, dubbed “Matter,” invites those between the ages of 18 and 30 to rant, complain and express their feelings about financial matters. The campaign targets the much-coveted Gen-Y crowd, positioning United FCU as
Fired…Hired…Then Retired: The $4 Million CEO Debacle
$4 million severance one day… $474,000 salary the next Steve Blakely joined Servus Credit Union back in March 2007, a little more than a year before the 3-way marriage between Servus, Community Savings and Common
SAC Uses New Look to Tout ‘The Credit Union Difference’
“Change means opportunity. Opportunity for our members, for our community, and for SAC Federal Credit Union.” – Gail DeBoer, President/SAC FCU After conducting research, SAC Federal Credit Union in Nebraska found that their somewhat dated,
