LOS ANGELES — Rogue Federal Credit Union has earned accolades for the Money Mammals Saving Money Is Fun Kids Club.
The program has helped the credit union garner a Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action for its efforts to include credit union philosophy in its daily operations and member service.
“It is imperative that we teach our youngest members about credit union philosophy, the credit union difference, social responsibility and financial education. The Saving Money Is Fun Kids Club is an exciting new youth savings program that supports and teaches credit union philosophy for our young members,” said Community and Education Outreach Coordinator Kerrie Davis. “Winning this award confirms what we know already-there is no better time than right now to teach the credit union difference.”
According to kids club program creator John Lanza, just as reading to children when they are young exposes them to reading, it is imperative to expose them to the importance of sharing, saving and spending smart while young.
The Saving Money Is Fun Kids Club program is designed to help attract and retain children up to 11 and is available for license to credit unions nationwide. The program encourages kids to open accounts that will start them on the right track towards a positive financial future. The Kids Club's overall goal is to help build and solidify member loyalty at an early stage by engaging kids with a mix of video, print and online media.
Since launching its Kids Club, Rogue Federal has seen a 22% increase in membership in just the first half of this year.
Future Kids Club projects currently in the works include a custom branded game in which kids can run their old credit union and a Money Mammals Live tour slated for financial literacy month in April 2009.

CEFCU Web Site Wins Award

PEORIA, Ill. — CEFCU's newly revamped Web site, www.cefcu.com, recently received Web Marketing Association's Web award.
For 12 years, the WebAwards have recognized the best Web sites in 96 industries. CEFCU's new Web site (www.cefcu.com) was designed to offer members easier navigation, as well as additional features such as location information on CEFCU member centers and Money Center 24 ATMs.
The credit union teamed up with Extractable, a user-experience strategy and design agency based in the San Francisco Bay-area for the new site.
In addition to the new look, the Web site incorporates special features to allow maximum flexibility and continually refreshed information. The new “learning center” contains information on financial basics including: budgeting and saving; valuable resources to help with planning for life's major events like getting married, having children or saving for college; security and identity theft prevention tips; financial calculators; and frequently asked questions where visitors can find questions and answers about CEFCU products and services. The main menu bar also contains information on the credit union difference, CEFCU membership, current savings and loan rates, and the CEFCU Newsroom.
“We're pleased the Web site received a Credit Union Standard of Excellence Award. The key to our success is that we listened to CEFCU's member-owners. Members told us they wanted our Web site to provide tools to help them manage and achieve their financial goals. The redesign project allowed us to make the site easier for members to access Web banking and bill pay services. Receiving the award is certainly an honor but knowing that the site meets members' financial needs is the real accomplishment,” said CEFCU Vice President of Information Services Tim Dunton.

Summit Reveals New Logo After Merger

MADISON, Wis. — Following its recent merger with Great Wisconsin Credit Union, Summit Credit Union has unveiled its new brand logo.
While members voted to keep the Summit CU name, the new logo is designed to communicate Summit's core attributes and values as a new, combined organization.
“We feel that the new logo is a symbol of stability, financial balance, and simplicity-all things that we want to help our members achieve,” said Andy Faust, Summit CEO. “It also is an example of the energy and approachability we bring to our members and the communities we serve.”
Summit has already begun incorporating the logo onto its communications materials. It is expected to be in place on signage and all collateral by the end of January 2009.
Established in 1931, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone in Wisconsin. Summit holds $1 billion in assets and serves more than 106,000 members.