LAS VEGAS — Credit union directors got an earful today from one of their peers, a 21-year-old Los Angeles college student at USC Credit Union, about failings in online operations and continued missteps in how CUs approach the youth market.
"I wouldn't say credit unions are wrong in their overall marketing approach, but they lag behind the banks in understanding the actual needs of different age groups," declared Justin Ho, a business major at USC who has been serving as a USC FCU director the last two years.
Ho, who has long provided a youthful voice to the California CU in guiding its business, faulted CUs for stuffy and poorly crafted Web pages. Some of them "which simply don't work, have too many objects on them or simply look unprofessional," particularly when compared to those from banks.
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Ho, joined by his boss, Gary Perez, president/CEO of USC CU, who has long lauded his director for being "blunt and outspoken" on youth marketing, spoke at a workshop session at the 31st National Directors Convention meeting here this week at the Venetian Resort and Casino.
"Justin has been simply phenomenal for us in getting us on the right track to reach Gen. Y," said Perez, noting how Ho urged that online products contain far more emphasis on rewards and paybacks for students.
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