Chartway FCU gets personal with SEGs

<p>VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Talk about catering to select employee groups. Chartway Federal Credit Union has personalized its SEG relationships by creating customized Web sites. Each site offers unique news about that SEG’s industry, exclusive marketing promotions, and SEG employee news. In addition, current and potential members have quick, easy access to the $673 million credit union from their desktop at work. Users can find product and service details, sign up for membership, receive current industry news, or search the CFCU online library for personal finance information. The possibilities seem unlimited. For example SEGs without an existing intranet can add their company information to the customized site and use it as a communication tool for employees. The brainchild of CFCU Marketing Manager Brian York, the customized Web site costs are limited to staff time -provided the credit union already has the software and equipment in place. If not, York says costs could quickly run over $10,000. “We are always trying to come up with low cost marketing ideas and this was just a free opportunity to help out our SEGs while reaching more members,” said York. “Fortunately we had the infrastructure in place so it took about a month and half to get it up and running.” York engineers how the customized site will read and decides the page layout of articles. “Our goal was to keep it short and simple,” said York. “It is database run so updates can be made right from the desktop-so it is easy to make changes.” [email protected]</p>