Wisconsin CU League News Release - 10/31/11
Wisconsin credit unions gear up for inquiries as part of “Bank
Transfer Day” Nov. 5
Social media campaign redoubles credit unions’ efforts to
improve their online searchability, offer “switch
kits”
Pewaukee, WI - “Bank Transfer Day”
– a social media campaign that has more than 32,000 followers on
Facebook and almost 70,000 individuals promising
to change their financial institution on or around that day –
is prompting credit unions gaining attention from the event to prepare
for new inquiries by consumers.
While some credit unions may have extended hours that day, others may
not. But for the most part, credit unions are using the occasion to be
sure consumers can find them in online searches as well as to remind
staff how important it is to be ready to help consumers make the
switch.
The social media campaign – begun by 27-year-old Los Angeles art
gallery owner, Kristen Christian - has generated upwards of 350,000
Facebook invitations to consumers, urging them to use not-for-profit
credit unions instead of for-profit financial institutions with
“unethical business practices.” However, the campaign
is just one sign that consumers have reached their limit when it comes
to fees on financial services.
Media
nationwide have heralded the significant savings
consumers can realize by using credit unions. And the website that
helps people find a credit union – www.asmarterchoice.org –
has seen traffic surge, with a 76% increase in searches for Wisconsin
credit unions in just the final week of October. Credit unions are
fine-tuning the information they have on that site so that people can
find a credit union they can use whether based on location or other
factors, like an affiliation with their church, employer or
occupation.
Most credit unions have “switch kits” to help consumers
change financial institutions and they spend time one-on-one with
consumers to help them save on loans, credit cards, mortgages and more.
In fact, Wisconsin credit unions estimate they have provided more than
30,000 hours of free financial counseling so far this year. Altogether,
as part of their REAL
Solutions initiative, Wisconsin credit unions save consumers more
than $200 million annually in the form of lower loan rates, higher
savings rates and lower and fewer fees.
“People are excited not just because of the hundreds
or even thousands of dollars per year they can save by using credit
unions, but also because credit unions keep money local in a way that
sustains jobs and helps the communities where they live,” said
Brett Thompson, President of the Wisconsin Credit Union League.
Learn more about the value credit unions deliver at www.theleague.coop/scorecard
and www.theleague.coop/forareason.
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