Beware of zombie properties
by. Henry Meier The great Boston Celtic Center Bill Russell once commented that fans don’t think they react. All too often I think the same can be said of our elected representatives. If you [...]
News Archives
Getting a 2014 ‘CU Reality Check’ with NJCUL’s Greg Michlig
Looking for a show that's fluff-free and tells it like it is with no sugar coating? Then the New Jersey Credit Union League's "Credit Union Reality Check" show is for you. This edgy conference is [...]
Hyperlocal = location, location, location
Hyperlocal is the latest marketing buzzword, but it isn’t a new idea. It essentially means a very specific area, very close to home. Within the credit union world, it’s defined as your core [...]
Montana Credit Union saves community $1 million in interest and helps out local nonprofits
Credit unions are in the business of serving people. The cooperative structure sets the stage for financially empowering members and improving communities. And, while it’s expected, it’s pretty awesome to see in action. [...]
The power of the member statement
How do you maintain and strengthen member relationships in an increasingly competitive and mercurial environment? By paying attention to what your members are saying. In a recent survey, OSG Statement Services, in conjunction with Sales [...]
Brand preception vs marketing reality
By: Bo McDonald Most of our clients are from the financial industry. But I often hire team members from outside of the business. Why? Because they bring a fresh perspective that helps keep our message [...]
Taking lessons from the outdoors to the office
by. Dan Berger I thrive in the outdoors and enjoy the adventures it offers my family and me. One of my favorite hobbies is fly fishing. It provides me with the chance to unwind and [...]
Is Apple taking a bite out of you?
by. Jeff Falk Apple is making internal and external moves to expand its ability to handle mobile payments. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the company is seeking to build upon the hundreds [...]
Card security: Tighten current standards prior to innovating
by. Karen Gordon Card security and the need to better protect against fraud have gripped headlines since the Target breach. The ensuing aftermath of finger-pointing and lawsuits over who is responsible for the massive losses [...]
6 communication tips for credit union managers
by. Carmela McDermott During my time with Credit Union Employee Resources, I often receive calls from credit union employees with concerns about their employment. Some of these conversions start with the employee asking me, ”Find [...]
Low or no down payment? How to avoid getting dinged on mortgage fees
by. Gina Ragusa Although the mortgage rule of thumb for down payments is typically at least 20%, you can still obtain a mortgage with as little as 3.5% down. Following the recessionary smack down, [...]
What patents, leaky pipes, and supreme court decisions have in common
by. Henry Meier It’s an exciting day at the Meier homestead. The bad news is that there is a swamp soon to be an ice rink in front of my driveway and my wife [...]
Financial counseling and education: Choosing the option that’s right for you
Financial counseling and education programs are fast becoming a standard member service offered by credit unions across the country. In fact, according to data from Callahan & Associates, currently one out of every three credit [...]
Why does your credit union exist?
Do people really have a good reason to do business with you? Even if your credit union has good customer service, average product selection, decent prices and convenient access, why would anyone want to buy [...]
Where do credit unions stand on the inequality debate?
One of the things that most frustrates me about the credit union industry is that it does a great job of explaining what credit unions are - not-for-profit member owned cooperatives -- but a lousy [...]