Seven Steps to Becoming Younger in 2009

If you’re expecting an article on how to rid yourself of wrinkles, gray hair and an expanding middle, I’m sorry to disappoint you. The best self-help advice a credit union can follow today is to become younger by attracting more members from among the Gen Y group-tomorrow’s borrowers and savers. These 7 steps will get you started in 2009.Create a Gen Y advisory group. To find out what teens and young adults want and need in a financial institution, form a group of them to call on for ideas and feedback-making sure to avoid names like “advisory bored” (misspelling intended). Drawing members from your staff is a good start, but invite nonemployees and nonmembers as well for a broader perspective.It will take persistence and creativity to reach them, so don’t give up too soon. Even scheduling a time to meet may take a few attempts. (Hint: Friday nights and early mornings don’t tend to work.) Make gatherings fun by incorporating an event or prizes, and keep the focus informational. No sales pitchesProvide financial education. Gen Y needs and seeks financial education, yet many schools don’t offer such courses. The good news is you can educate Gen Y members without reinventing the wheel, by leveraging the efforts of companies that have stepped in to fill the void. For example, brass