The $2.7 billion Alabama's Redstone Federal Credit Union is afirm advocate that CUs must stress member value over rate andconvenience to ensure growth. On that score the Huntsville CU ishooking up with a local dining club this spring to offer what itcalls innovative card discounts.

The marketing and online tie-in with the Heritage Dining Cluballows CU members to receive $25 monthly discounts as a way todemonstrate “there is real value in belonging to this creditunion,” explained Joseph Newberry, president/CEO

Details on the partnership are still to be worked out, saidNewberry but the popular dining club may be “using our Web site topromote itself” in a linkup which could be a wave of the future forexpanding CU retail ties.

The Heritage setup, he said, is an outgrowth of the partnershipRedstone has with the local YMCA in which northern Alabama YMCAsubscribers of health and fitness facilities get lower rates ifthey if they show their Redstone ATM or debit card.

In addition, Redstone has been helping with bridge financing forregional YMCA operations as it constructs a new building nearHuntsville. Redstone was called in to help with business loansafter the YMCA was unable to get bank financing.

The Heritage venture is slated to start this May or June, saidNewberry.

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