WASHINGTON — Forget the typical newsletter, FedChoice Federal Credit Union has taken member communication to the next level with its magazine–FedChoice Financial Concierge Quarterly.

The new publication replaces the monthly newsletter and is designed to educate, guide and provide solutions on financial topics from refinancing a mortgage to how to save money on maintaining your car.

“Over the years, FedChoice has evolved to become much more than a financial service provider. We are a lifetime financial partner or financial concierge for our members. As an organization, we have the resources, education and information to help our members navigate the unfamiliar and unknown aspects of finance–and we do so on a daily basis. This magazine only emphasizes our continuing commitment to serve the best interests of our members,” said FedChoice President/CEO David E. Bunch, Jr.

FedChoice Financial Concierge Quarterly is issued four times a year and mailed directly to members.

Tampa, Florida League Chapter Invites
Members to Discover the Difference

TAMPA, Fla. — As consumer concerns over the safety of their deposits rise, the Tampa Chapter of the Florida Credit Union League is gearing up to host its first annual credit union expo.

Open to the public, the free event offers an open invitation to consumers to discover the difference of credit union membership. The expo will feature free financial seminars, a cash prize drawing and appearances by local credit union CEOs. In addition, former NHL Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Dave Andreychuk will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural event.

Since 2006, Andreychuk has worked for the Lightning as the team's liaison with sponsors, suite holders, season ticket holders, local charities and youth hockey programs. He represents the team at charity fundraisers and speaking engagements while identifying and developing new business opportunities.

According to the Tampa chapter, with national mortgage firms, banks and people continuing to suffer the ill effects of the current economic downturn, locally owned and operated credit unions are emerging from obscurity as a community resource.

The expo is viewed as an opportunity to promote the stability of credit unions while touting its advantages over for-profit financial institutions.

The credit union expo will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the University of South Florida Sundome in Tampa, Fla.

Credit union expo organizers have established a Web site, www.creditunionexpo.com, with event details, including vendors and sponsors, as well as information on local credit unions and an explanation of the credit union difference.

There is no admission charge, and child care will be available on-site. A $3,500 cash prize giveaway will also take place.

CU Growth Solutions Garners Awards

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — CU Growth Solutions, the marketing and advertising agency within the Michigan Credit Union League and CUcorp, earned three 2008 American Graphic Design awards for their work with state and national credit union associations.

“We are honored to receive this recognition, and that we have the kind of team capable of creating designs that would catch the eye amidst so many other entries,” said CUcorp CU Growth Solutions Vice President Lee Ann Mares. “This is a great opportunity for more people to see the kind of product we produce–designs that both CU Growth Solutions and our clients have been very excited about.”

The American Graphic Design awards is one of the largest national design competitions, honoring outstanding work in all forms of media, from print and collateral to interactive design and motion graphics.

CU Growth Solutions earned awards for the logos of the 2008 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference and the MCUL's 2008 Midwest Management Issues Conference, as well as for the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association's Visa campaign. The American Graphic Design awards were granted to only 15% of the more than 10,000 entries submitted this year.

Winning designs will be featured in Graphic Design USA's Awards Annual, a 300-page publication distributed in December, and will be seen by an estimated 100,000 people at advertising agencies, graphic design firms, corporations and publishers.

As part of the MCUL and CUcorp, CU Growth Solutions specializes in developing marketing and advertising for credit unions and credit union-related businesses.

Jeanne D'Arc Rocks Out and Pays Out

DRACUT, Mass. — Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union's Dracut branch was recently transformed into a stage for the Guitar Hero III–Legends Of Rock competition.

Contestants were matched up by skill level and played in head-to-head competitions every 10 minutes throughout the afternoon for a chance to win $500, $200 or $100.

Registered participants ranged in age from eight to 30 and came from surrounding Massachusetts and New Hampshire towns. Each participant received a T-shirt for entering. Expert skill-level winner, Michel Santos, age 15, won the $500 grand prize; $200 went to the overall hard skill-level winner, Kyle Quintal, age 19; and $100 to the medium skill-level winner, Eimer Bencosme, age 21.

“We were very excited to bring this event to our newest Dracut branch location. We had an amazing turnout and were happy to create an opportunity for young adults to show off their talent,” said JDCU Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Silveira. “We're looking forward to future events at our other branch locations that create opportunities designed to bring our youth together.”

Delta Community Wins Web Award

ATLANTA — The Web Marketing Association has recognized Delta Community Credit Union as the best credit union web site in its 12th annual international WebAwards competition.

The WebAwards set standards for Internet marketing development and honor the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet. More than 2,400 sites from 45 countries were submitted in 96 industry categories during this year's competition.

Web site entries were independently judged based on design, ease of use, copywriting, interactivity, use of technology, innovation and content.

“It is an honor that our efforts to build a simple, informative and user-friendly Web site have been recognized by the Web Marketing Association,” said Mary Olson, vice president of marketing for Delta Community. “Since launching the Web site, Delta Community Credit Union has worked diligently to expand its content and enhance the user experience for members.”

California CU Picks Bouchard Agency

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — California Credit Union has tapped marketing/advertising and public relations firm Bouchard Communications Group as its agency of record.

“We are excited to assist California Credit Union in their current marketing and public relations efforts,” said Bouchard Communications Group President Ann Bouchard. “The scope of work will include brand management, campaign development, product and collateral expansion, as well as community outreach.”

California CU was charted 75 years ago by a small group of Los Angeles teachers. The education-related community has helped the credit union grow into a billion-dollar federally insured financial institution. The credit union serves nearly 71,000 members and has 14 branch locations throughout Los Angeles County.

“Bouchard bridges their extensive knowledge of credit unions and progressive marketing strategies to produce successful campaigns,” said California CU President/CEO Ron McDaniel. “They have pushed the envelope on traditional credit union marketing and we're excited to elevate our brand.”

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