Searching for a more realistic definition, the $210 million City Credit Union of Dallas has renamed marketing as the brand innovation department.
The renamed department covers traditional areas like product development, media, public relations and general marketing, but the new moniker represents a more accurate service identification, said the department's director, Maureen Johns.
The Dallas CU has been reaping goodwill in recent months from a paid five-minute segment on CU safety and soundness and financial literacy during ABC's "Good Morning Dallas" show.
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The "Dollars and Sense" program, featuring interviews of City CU President/CEO Sharon Moore, has had good ratings and has given the CU a high profile as a financial education source. "It's pure financial education, and there's no product push at all," said Johns. The show airs every Monday morning.
"The show has been a phenomenal tool to reach our communities and strengthen City Credit union's brand," said Johns.
In March as consumer concern over the financial meltdown grew in Dallas, a full-page City CU newspaper ad titled "Safe. Sound. Secure" also produced new business, said Johns.
"We had one guy walk in with a $250,000 deposit, apparently withdrawn from a brokerage account," said Johns. "It was really quite surprising what we got from that ad even though that kind of advertising can be expensive," she said.
Full- and half-page ads have run in Dallas, Gainesville and Waxahachie.
The ads, said Johns, also drew attention to the "Dollars and Sense" program.
Navy Federal Named Top Employer
Joining a list of others, the $38 billion Navy Federal Credit Union has been selected by Florida Trend business magazine as one of the state's best companies to work for.
The Vienna, Va.-based CU was recognized for its Brian L. McDonnell Center at Heritage Oaks contact center, which opened five years ago in Pensacola, Fla. and has more than 1,300 employees in its contact center, lending and collections divisions there. A fourth office building is under construction. Navy Federal said its second largest concentration of employees is in the greater Pensacola area. The credit union has 16 branch offices throughout Florida.
Florida Trend partnered with the Best Companies Group, to determine which companies established themselves as great places to work using a two-part survey process, according to Navy Federal. The first part of the survey evaluated company policies, practices and demographics. Employee satisfaction was measured in the second survey in which a sample group of employees responded to questions.
Navy Federal said in 2008, it was named to Fortune magazine's 100 best companies to work for and one of Training magazine's Training Top 125.
Gwinnett FCU Sponsors Local Theater
Gwinnett Federal Credit Union is keeping the arts alive in its community.
The credit union has expanded its relationship with Aurora Theatre beyond sponsoring a performance of "Dracula" to now sponsor an entire season. As part of the five-year $125,000 pledge, the studio theater will be renamed the Gwinnet Federal Credit Union Studio.
According to Gwinnett FCU President/CEO Marshall Boutwell, the move makes sense given both organizations dedication to improving their community.
"We both work closely with schools and recognize the contribution of local educators and others who shape the youth of our community," said Boutwell. "As the credit union for Gwinnett County Public Schools, our primary focus has been on education. We strongly believe that the arts are an important component in education and our community. It seemed only natural to support both."
CUNA Mutual Webinar to Focus on Financial Health of Credit Unions
CUNA Mutual Group is gearing up to launch its first Discovery Webinar.
As credit unions tighten their budgets, the move is part of the firm's strategy to deliver timely, relevant and affordable information to credit unions in new ways. The Discovery Webinar is an extension of CUNA Mutual's Discovery Conference, which provides professional development and networking opportunities.
"10 Reasons Why Credit Unions are Needed-Now, More Than Ever" presented by CMG Senior Vice President of Strategy/Business Development John Lass is slated to run from noon-1:30 p.m. (CDT) on Aug. 25.
Lass will discuss the financial health of the credit union system and share his Top 10 reasons why credit unions' relevance is more important than ever to protect the financial and economic health of America. Webinar participants will also receive a free white paper that outlines key actions credit unions can take to strengthen the value they bring to consumers.
For more information visit www.cunamutual.com and click on the Webinar ad on the home page.
In Celebrating History, Merrimack Valley FCU Finds That the Shoe Fits
Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union has put its best foot forward to honor the early manufacturing days of Haverhill, Mass..
For the past month, five-foot tall shoes from Haverhill's "Shoe-la-bration" have been spotted at various locations in the Bradford-Haverhill area. As a demonstration of its support, Merrimack Valley FCU has sponsored the "Shoetown" shoe, created by Rob Sardella.
The shoe design is in black and white and pays tribute to Haverhill's shoe manufacturing history. In the early 1900s, Haverhill was known as the "Queen Slipper City." During that time, Haverhill's shoe industry produced approximately 10% of the shoes sold in the United States.
In October, all of the shoes from the Shoe-la-bration will be auctioned. Proceeds from Merrimack Valley FCU's Shoetown will benefit Emmaus Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides housing and services to local homeless adults and families.
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