Credit unions in Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin are hoping to createa buzz for their services after partnering with a social media marketing and rewards program calledBuzzBanking.

BuzzBanking is a software program provided by Austin-based fisocInc. that offers debit card reward programs linked to social mediasites and local merchants. In addition to enabling credit unionmembers to earn reward points by making purchases with debitcards, members also can earn extra points by shopping at localmerchants and broadcasting their experiences on social media totheir friends.

The program can improve member loyalty, provide local merchantsopportunities to target market products and services to creditunion members and generate more fee income for credit unions,according to fisoc.

The points earned can lead to reward cards that can be redeemedlocally or donated to a place of worship, school, sports team,charity or local public service organization. The theme of theprogram is “Buy Local, Shop Local, Give Local.”

Over the last few years, buy local campaigns have been gainingpopularity. Various studies have found that of $100 spent atnational retailers, about $13 to $33 remains in the community. But that same $100 spent at local merchants means $50 to $60stays in the local economy, according to fisoc.

“We actually heard about the success of the Buzz Pointsmerchants program from a participating credit union in FortAtkinson, Wis.,” said Christine Rockweit, president/CEO of the $50million Fond du Lac Credit Union in Fond du Lac Wis. “We arelooking forward to offering a service that encourages the citizensof Fond du Lac to open an account with us and also support localmerchants and charities.”

Kathy Martin, senior vice president of development and support,for the $561 million Directions Credit Union in Sylvania, Ohio, likes the socialmedia aspect.

“Our members will be able to earn double, triple or morereward points than those offered by national programs,” Martinsaid. “And they earn even more reward points when they share theirexperience with friends and family on social media sites such asFacebook, Twitter, and Yelp.”

The $75 million Community Services Credit Union inHuntsville, Texas, and the $319 million Union Square Federal CreditUnion in Wichita Falls, Texas, also use BuzzBanking.