APPLETON, Wis. -- The $145 million Prospera Credit Union has begun to offer the model for its successful payday alternative lending program to other credit unions nationwide.

Prospera has partnered with Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin to offer GoodMoney, an alternative to payday loans at Goodwill store locations, which also provide check cashing and wire transfers at affordable rates. From its first location that opened in 2005, the program has grown to five locations.

So far, two other credit unions, Superior Choice Credit Union, Superior, Wis., and Delta County Credit Union in Escanaba, Mich., have also started to GoodMoney programs with Goodwill organizations in their areas.

"GoodMoney provides lower cost alternatives to consumers looking for a short-term loan. More importantly, the program encourages financial education, creating a more informed borrower, and access to other financial products to increase their financial stability," said Lois Kitsch, national program director for the National Credit Union Foundation's REAL Solutions program.