Vendors, like Fuze, who focus a significant portion of their business with credit unions commonly say they are strong supporters of the credit union movement. In most cases what that means is that they believe in the basic tenets of the movement and believe their products and services help credit unions differentiate their brand in the crowded financial services marketplace. In other cases it's just marketing speak to sell products.

I challenge all vendors who are true supporters of the movement to kick it up a notch by putting their money where their mouth is, and make a credit union their primary financial institution. Fuze recently did this by moving all of our banking business from Bank of America to First Tech Credit Union and seeding any employee accounts opened at First Tech with $250. As credit union members ourselves, I believe that our Fuze team now better supports and understands the movement.

If you are a vendor, walk the talk! If you are a credit union, expect your vendor partners to walk the talk! Banks do not care who you do business with if it's not with them, but credit unions should.