In a year that brings new challenges, the Filene Research Institute is hoping to provide credit unions some fresh solutions with its "Key Findings: Blueprints for Innovation" report from its i3 innovation group.Authored by Chief Innovation Officer Denise Gabel, the report features 12 new idea blueprints and three updated blueprints gaining national traction: prize-linked savings, the savings revolution and virtual finance designed to fuel credit union growth."We encourage credit union innovators to keep this catalog of ideas at hand as they develop their organization's goals and tactics for today's challenging times," said Gabel, "and consider how these solutions may meet member needs.""Blueprints for Innovation" includes i3 team outputs developed to help credit union members build wealth, navigate financial waters, meet life's milestones, make community connections and borrow.For example, one new idea dubbed unite uses the current trend of social networking to the advantage of both credit unions and their members to deepen member relationships and to create a friendly level of peer pressure that stimulates new business.Here is how it would work. Individuals create their own unite group consisting of up to 20 members. Use of credit union products and services such as checking accounts, debit cards, online bill payment and credit cards will qualify the group to earn points. Points will be tracked for the entire group, and as certain point targets are reached, everyone in the group benefits.For example, at the first threshold, each member of the group might be entitled to a 25 basis point discount on his or her next consumer loan or a similar rate increase on a time certificate. At higher point levels, benefits may include items such as credit consultations, waived fees, free checks, free safe deposit boxes and discounted warranty products. Bonus points will be given to the group for recruiting new members to join the credit union.According to Gabel, credit unions should review all the ideas and evaluate the fit for their organizations, then think about how the ideas might be improved and customized in the spirit of open source innovation. Full concept documents are available at filene.org/home/innovation.

CU Members Mortgage ConferenceTo Feature Best Practices in Dallas

CU Members Mortgage is preparing marketing case studies for its National Lending Conference agenda, scheduled for March 1-3 in Dallas. Successful credit unions will reveal how they've overcome a common credit union mortgage hurdle: increasing awareness among members that they offer mortgages."We realize that a major hurdle for us and credit unions in general is making people aware we do indeed offer mortgages," said Lisa Nelson from the $340 million Diamond Credit Union, who will present her Pennsylvania-based credit union's successful mortgage marketing campaign. "We are our member's trusted source for most of their financial needs and we offer high-quality mortgage products. But members simply don't realize they are available."Charmaine Bocage Russo, vice president of marketing at the $133 million RiverLand Credit Union, will share how her New Orleans institution increased its loan portfolio in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina, including how the credit union leveraged deposit increases that resulted from big insurance payoff checks.Conference registration is available by calling 800-607-3474 ext. 488 or online at the group's Web site (www.cumembers.com).–[email protected]