ICUL Service Corp. hands smaller CUs increased card program opportunities

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Small credit unions are getting a big boost from a shift of the Illinois Credit Union League Service Corporation’s debit, ATM and credit card programs to an in-house computer system. Thanks to the upgrade, cuCash, cuCheck and Apollo programs, which have proven vital to small credit unions, now allows files to be sent directly at the time selected by the credit union, or placed in an electronic mailbox where the credit union can pick them up as needed. With the removal of time restrictions on re-transmission of data credit unions can request their files as early as 9:00 a.m and as late as 2:00 p.m. With 55% of the state’s affiliated credit unions having less than $5 million in assets the Apollo and cuCheck programs have been small credit union lifesavers. Both programs are geared toward CUs with less than 2,000 members and enable even the smallest CU to customize card programs and remain competitive. “This is a great example of a win-win-win situation that shows how states can work together to deliver highly desirable, profitable programs that will keep credit unions healthy,” said George Fiegle, ICUL Service Corporation executive vice president/COO. “We’re very sensitive to the pressures on credit unions resulting from their yields being squeezed.” According to Fiegle the programs are a success with 24 states participating and 197 credit unions collectively signing up nearly 37,400 members for cuCHeck and Apollo. Outside Illinois, 168 credit unions with 20,695 accounts are on the national Apollo program.