With consumers disgruntled about bank fees on debit cards, there has never been a better time for credit unions to showcase their difference with a big splash on International Credit Union Day.
Redwood Credit Union has opted to share the credit union experience with its local communities by hitting the streets and doing some good.
On International Credit Union Day, Oct. 20, volunteers from RCU will be appearing unannounced throughout the North Bay and San Francisco to make good things happen for people in the communities. Activities planned will range from bagging groceries with free eco-totes at select supermarkets, handing out free lunches and distributing free school supplies at local colleges to paying parking fees for unsuspecting drivers. Many in the industry view the move as a national branding opportunity and would like to see the effort expand, with credit unions worldwide each surprising locals in their communities with random acts of kindness.
Also along the lines of leveraging the day to build awareness, credit union music duo, The Disclosures, has released a free song and music video for use on ICU Day called "Building a Better World," which pays homage to this year's celebration theme.
The Disclosures put out a casting call to credit unions to provide video clips to include in the music video. In addition to the submissions, the band also filmed credit union people singing a few of the segments. More than 40 credit unions and supporting organizations make cameos in the video, which include credit union staff lip-synching lyrics, performing air-guitar with hockey sticks and dancing with mascots.
Credit unions can use the song and video to raise awareness of the positive impact credit unions continue to make around the world.
"Our music has always focused on finding new ways to share the credit union message," said Disclosures band member Chad Helminak. "With 'Building a Better World,' we decided to take it one step further and invite credit union folks to have some fun and help demonstrate our cooperative nature."
The song and lyrics can found on The Disclosures website. The song is free to download and credit unions can share the music video.
Music will also be featured as part of the Texas Credit Union League's ICU Day plans. The league has plans to unveil its CU Lip Dub, to Smashmouth's cover of the Monkees' classic "I'm a Believer" on Oct. 20.
About 100 credit union staff and families from San Antonio gathered last August in 106-degree heat to film the Project CU lip dub. Two local television stations covered the credit union lip dub taping, generating over $12,000 in free publicity for credit unions in San Antonio.
"Credit unions leaders have the passion, the talent and the knowledge to come together to accomplish things which can only be achieved through real collaboration," said Pamela Stephens, chair of the league and CEO of Security First Credit Union. "This is the mission of the league's innovation and collaboration task force–to move beyond ideas and into execution."
North Side Community FCU has selected ICU Day to launch its "Better Directions: Financial Security Has No Age Limit" campaign.
As the recipient of a grant to help enhance the economic security of its low-income older members and the disadvantaged aging in communities served, the Chicago-based credit union created the national campaign in partnership with the National Council on Aging and National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.
In addition to building awareness through the credit union's marketing and community outreach efforts to build new relationships, efforts will range from promoting new higher interest savings accounts (2.25% APY) and offering affordable loan products (5% APR) to developing financial education programs that focus on expense reduction, savings tips and effective budgeting for adults aged 60 and older.
The Better Directions program is funded by the New York-based Atlantic Philanthropies through its aging program, which seeks to help vulnerable seniors become financially secure.
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