Wescom pushing the envelope with Web services

PASADENA, Calif. -Wescom Credit Union here recently rolled out a host of new online applications to complement its eBranch introduced last July. eBranch BillPayer, the CU's online bill pay solution, was released to Wescom's membership at the beginning of February, following a five-month pilot program. Since then approximately 2,600 members-more than 10% of all eBranch users-have begun using the service. In April, Wescom members made over 15,000 bill payments through eBranch BillPayer. Payments are processed by Princeton eCom. Wescom introduced eVision online trading to members in April. eVision offers members low-cost real-time trades, free market updates, and free stock and mutual fund analysis. Using eBranch BillPayer, eVision enrollees can transfer funds from their Wescom checking account directly into their eVision settlement account. eBranch BillPayer is free for all members who open an eVision account. eVision is operated by CUSO Financial Services, L.P., (CFS), which is owned in part by Wescom's CUSO, WFS (Wescom Financial Services). "Wescom Credit Union's ownership interest in CFS is a way for us to ensure that the online trading service our members receive is on a par with other services provided by Wescom," said WFS president Darin Woinarowicz, Also new is Wescom's eBranch checking account. The new account is designed to appeal to members who prefer to access their accounts by electronic means. Members who open an eBranch checking account pay no monthly service charge as long as they make all transactions via eBranch, ATMs, or other electronic delivery channels. Free online billpaying is included with eBranch checking accounts. Wescom serves approximately 180,000 members and has over $1.5 billion in assets. It can be found on the Web at www.wescom.org.