MINNEAPOLIS — Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union is helping kids think savings with its recent giveaway at a Minnesota Twins home game.

The credit union treated the first 5,000 kids up to age 14 to special Minnesota Twins Mini-Helmet banks.

“This is the most important piece of 'plastic' TCU can get into kids' hands,” said TCU Vice President of Marketing Mike Schrader. “The helmet banks are a great way to help us emphasize to kids the importance of saving and being responsible with their money.”

The banks are a custom design with TCU's logo on the back of the mini-batting helmet and were very well received by both the kids and parents alike.

A coupon was also distributed to encourage children to open a youth savings account in which TCU will deposit $5 for each new account.

Community First CU of Florida Lends Helping Hand

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Over the past few months more than 200 educators from Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties have reached out to Community First Credit Union of Florida for summer financial assistance.

This financial need is due to the fact that the beginning of the 2007 school year was extended two weeks, resulting in teachers' first new school-year paycheck arriving Aug. 31, instead of Aug.15.

A Florida state law forbids any school districts to start fall classes sooner than two weeks before Labor Day. The law intends to boost tourism by reserving most of August as a family vacation period.

Community First is offering educators impacted by this new start date a personal signature loan at a reduced rate of 8.25% APR for 12 months to help them stretch their income during the August pay delay.

So far the special Community First loans have totaled well over $279,500.

Pagoda FCU Offers Buck$ for Good Grades

READING, Pa. — Pagoda Federal Credit Union is showing its young members that it pays to do well in school with its Buck$ for A's promotion.

Since 1996, school-aged members at Pagoda Federal Credit Union have been rewarded for getting good grades.

Young members who have “A's” on their final report card, can earn money at the credit union. For every final grade that is an A, the credit union gives the young member $2, up to a maximum of $22, provided an adult matches the amount.

According to the credit union, this much-anticipated yearly program that runs through July 31st, provides Pagoda's young members a way to earn rewards for their scholastic achievements.

Travis CU Teams Up for Financial Literacy

VACAVILLE, Calif. — Travis Credit Union has been working with Solano and Napa County high school students to help them become more financially savvy.

As part of the first annual Travis $mart Money Week, Will C. Wood High School students received awards for their accomplishments during a special assembly.

During the assembly, teams of students participated in a game of “Financial Jeopardy” to show off their newly acquired financial skills. The assembly ended with the awarding of certificates to more than 230 students who completed the National Endowment for Financial Education Financial Planning Program. Students also received a card for six, free, music downloads.

The program, which met California Education Standards, was integrated into Economics, Career Quest, and Business Math classes. The six units covered financial planning, choosing a career, developing a budget based on personal needs and wants, savings, managing a retirement fund, the wise use of credit and the need to protect assets with insurance.

“The goal of the program is to help high school students become financially responsible adults because learning about managing money is as important as earning it,” said Travis CU Executive Vice President Lila Dressen.

Travis CU arranged the courses after commissioning a study on the financial literacy needs of Solano County, which found a need for financial literacy education for youth.

“Travis Credit Union is committed to educating our members and potential members living in our 12-county service region about their finances to ensure they are aware of their options to make their financial lives happier,” said Travis CU President/CEO Patsy Van Ouwerkerk.

MDDCCUA Gears Up for Fall Ad Campaign

COLUMBIA, Md. — The initial phase of the MDDCCUA Cooperative Advertising Campaign What's In It For Me?, slated for launch this fall, will be primarily aimed at reaching Gen Y consumers and women.

“The data we have collected from our own studies and other states strongly suggest that consumers generally are unconcerned with credit union membership, not-for-profit status, or philosophy,” said Mike Dilworth, chief of marketing for Freedom Federal Credit Union and chair of the Co-Op Committee. “Credit unions must compete in a wider financial market to promote the advantages of CU membership.”

The campaign features a series of upbeat radio commercials that promote the value of CU membership–without the constant nickel and diming of banks. The commercials drive consumers to a companion Web site that allows consumers to find out more about the credit union difference and to locate a CU in their own area. Consumer response to the campaign will be tracked as it progresses.

The CAC Committee has made considerable effort to research other campaigns during the last several months, ensuring that contributions collected are used to greater effect. The long-range campaign–up to three years–will allow for the establishment of a credit union brand during several campaign periods.

“Credit union budgets should reflect the need to promote the industry as a whole,” said Dilworth.

South Carolina Federal Name Featured In Orangeburg-Technical College

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The South Carolina Federal Credit Union name will be a permanent part of an Orangeburg-Technical College corridor.

South Carolina Federal donated $20,000 to Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in Orangeburg, South Carolina to help underwrite costs for development of its new Math and Science Building.

In appreciation, OCTC honored the credit union with lifetime naming rights to a hallway in the Math and Science Building that leads to its auditorium.