FoolProof, the credit union-linked financial literacy andadvocacy firm, said Thursday it is has stepped up its reach withlarge credit unions by adding four custom subscribers, each payinga $65,000 to $95,000 fee for FoolProof's premium products andservices.

The Melbourne Beach, Fla., firm says its turnkey contract withcredit unions and its marketing presence helps account for a run upof literacy promotion in schools, colleges, military bases andamong senior citizens groups.

The four credit unions joining FoolProof are the $1.6 billionSummit CU, Madison, Wis.; $2 billion Logix FCU, Burbank, Calif.; the $1.8 billion Mission FCU, SanDiego, and the $750 million Pacific Marine CU, Oceanside,Calif.

FoolProof founder/CEO Will DeHoo said the firm's 12 “highlycustom” credit unions as well as smaller ones “are often the onlyfinancial institutions offering true consumer advocacy in eachservice area.”

Kim Sponem, president/CEO of Summit CU, said the partnership hasallowed her credit union to elevate its financial educationofferings.

“In Madison we continue to set ourselves apart as the 'go to'resource for financial knowledge among students and seniors,”Sponem said.

Neville Billimoria, senior vice president at Mission FCU, saidthe program has proved helpful in encouraging the public to ask howto learn more about finances.

“We can now respond to these requests with timely, relevant andaccessible online information,” said Billimoria.

The $1 billion Educators CU of Racine, Wis., one of the early users of theprogram, said it has produced bottom-line benefits in helping adultmembers become wiser spenders. “We're finding dramaticimprovement in how we connect with adults, and with hundreds ofteachers and with thousands of high school students,” said itspresident, Eugene Szymczak.

FoolProof is sponsored by 15 state leagues and associations andprovides its programs free to credit unions under $10 million.