In an effort to gain Gen Y members many credit unions reach out to these members in an attempt to teach them about credit unions. In a different approach, consulting company Eloquent Online is reaching out to credit unions to teach them about Gen Y.
In a live online event last week, Eloquent Online provided credit unions the opportunity to hear from a Gen Y entrepreneur that had to move from a credit union to a bank in order to continue to grow his business.
Robert Dias, owner of Computer Doctors in Tiverton, R.I., shared his experience of how his business outgrew his credit union and answered questions from credit union listeners. Listeners could e-mail questions or post them on www.twitter.com/eloquentonline to be answered live.
Dias said that his credit union had little online access and offered no integration with his accounting software, which were critical needs to continue to grow his business.
The live event was coupled with music from Adam Webb and Nyke Van Wyke, who perform at financial literacy concert events Eloquent Online holds with credit unions to teach Gen Y about credit unions and financial literacy.
Dias answered a question from a viewer about what he would need a credit union to offer in order for him to switch back. Dias said he would need tools that save him time like being able to quickly download his account information on a daily basis, online access and a Web portal.
Dias answered another question asking what he looks for in a financial institution by saying that he wants instantaneous access and personal and business banking wrapped into one.
Jason Dias, president of Eloquent Online, said that the company is looking to do more events like this in the future.
“We want to educate credit unions about young people. To me, financial literacy works both ways. Especially with the economy going the way it is this is such a timely subject.”
In 2010, Eloquent will offer a series of awards highlighting some of the best brands out there and will present a musical number or presentation on why the brand was so successful. Jason Dias said the company will also look to do a live broadcast from a Gen Y innovative credit union showing how and why they were successful.
A recap of the event is up at www.youtube.com/eloquentonline.
—lsiegriest@cutimes.com