ProjectNewAge.com Blog

Are You Ready To “Dump Your Bank?”

That’s what Colorado United Credit Unions are asking consumers with a simple, new site at www.dumpyourbankcolorado.org.
 

On the site, Colorado United contends that you don’t hear much from your local credit union because they are not-for-profit and don’t waste their members’ money on massive advertising budgets.

Rather they created this site to educate consumers on the differences between banks and credit unions, and invite consumers to “dump your bank.” They have even put together an ONLINE “Switch Kit” to make the transition easy.

Check it out at www.dumpyourbankcolorado.org.

New Research To Help Credit Unions Attract Young Adults!

Inspired by PSCU Financial Services, the Filene Institute, a not-for-profit research organization dedicated to the analysis of issues affecting the future of consumer finance, has just released a new study:

Attracting Young Adults: What Do We Know About Their Use of Financial Institutions and Payment Behaviors?

As we hear over and over again, the 18–34 year old demographic represents the next generation of credit union borrowers and savers. However, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) reports that since the mid-1980s credit unions have struggled to convert this demographic into full- service members.

Understanding what is different about this new generation versus older generations could be the key. This study looks to answer two critical questions:

• Which financial institutions do young adults (ages18–34 years) most frequently use and why?
• Which payment instruments (e.g., credit cards, cash, checks) do young adults use for specific types of purchases (e.g., bills, groceries, eating out)?

And now all PSCU Financial Services member credit unions can access this report for FREE!

Just visit www.projectnewage.com and click “Research” under “Gen-Y Resources.” Then, enter your contact information to access the report.

Add this critical data to your marketing plan today!

Twitter Is To Social Media As Credit Unions Are To Financial Services?!?!

Sounds like an S.A.T. question, right? Well, Tim McAlpine, President and Creative Director of Currency Marketing, the company well known for developing the Young & Free Program, recently guest authored an interesting post on CUES Skybox about the topic.

In the article, Tim talks a little about the new celebrity rage surrounding Twitter and lists a few compelling reasons why Twitter and credit unions are pretty similar:

1. Twitter has a very simple offering that you can't find anywhere else.
2. Twitter has embraced collaboration.
3. Twitter connects its members.
4. Twitter has removed all barriers to entry.

 

You can check out the article at CUES Skybox. For other great advice and insight on credit union marketing, Tim posts regularly on his own blog at www.currencymarketing.ca/blog.

UFCU is “the antibank.” And proud of it.

United Federal Credit Union has just launched their newest campaign, called “MATTER” targeting 18 – 30 year olds and positioning their credit unions as the alternative banking experience, the Antibank.

At the center of the campaign is the new website, www.theantibank.com, where Gen-Yers can:

• Rant - Share their thoughts on everything financial…from the bailouts to budgeting
• Learn - Find out how to get a student loan, buy a car, manage your money and more
• Shine  - Promote social responsibility and suggest what matters
• And more

To spread the “antibank” message, UFCU has introduced the 2009 Rant Video Kiosk World Tour, visiting college campuses throughout the Mid-West including Lake Michigan College, University of Arkansas and more locations to be added. The video kiosk is described as “a special "confessional" booth where you can create a video post about whatever's on your mind.”

Here’s a sample video:

During the tours, Gen-Yers can also pick up a free t-shirt and express themselves by designing them however they like.

The videos and t-shirt designs are posted on the Antibank website for everyone to see.

You can check out the new MATTER campaign website at www.theantibank.com and read the official UFCU press release here.