Perhaps the funniest credit union commercial I have ever seen....

I actually laughed at the end of this commercial. Out loud. Really....

I haven't really decided how I actually feel about it as a commercial, but it is funny.

It is anti-bank ad, rather than a pro-credit union ad. But, since it is really funny ... is that OK? What do you think? Like it or not?

Credit Unions take interchange debate to the grassroots

Over the last few weeks, the interchange issue has been in the news every day with attacks coming from every direction it seems. On Tuesday, Ben Bernanke notified the Senate Banking and House Financial Services committees that the Fed would not make the April 21st deadline to release a final rule on the interchange issue. Then, on Wednesday, Senator Tester supported an amendment to delay the Fed rule for two years.

In February at GAC, credit unions met with their legislators and asked them to "Stop. Study. Start Over." Since that time, several campaigns have been launched to bring the advocacy to members and consumers in general. Here are three campaigns that currently running:

Save My Free Checking (http://www.savemyfreechecking.com): This campaign is supported by the Michigan Credit Union League and includes information on the interchange issue, the "Don't Change Interchange" video by The Disclosures, links to studies on the issue and a call to action. Their call to action page is separated into two sections: one for Michigan residents and another that links to CUNA's grassroots action page. They also provide materials for credit unions to use in branches, printed materials and on websites to promote this campaign to their members. 

Don't Lose Your Shirt (http://www.dontloseyourshirt.org): This campaign has been set up by PSECU, but their name does not appear anywhere on the site. Their Public Relations Manager, Nate Muniz, said that they did that specifically to allow any credit union to link to the page and use it as part of their advocacy plan. The site provides information about the issue and their call to action sends visitors to CUNA's grassroots action page. They have a xtranormal animated video that explains the issue to members. Since this campaign is not targeted toward a specific state or member group, any credit union could link to it or use the video.

Don't Make Us Pay (http://www.dontmakeuspay.com): This campaign has been established by the Electronic Payments Coalition. The site isn't very clear about who is behind it, but that organization is listed in the "contact us" section. The call to action is right on the first page with a form that can easily be completed. The consumer can decide whether to have their letter emailed or snail mailed to their legislator. This site also has updated news on the issue on the first page. I wasn't sure who was behind the "Electronic Payments Coalition", so I researched it further. I was surprised to find out that it is a coalition of bank and credit union organizations, including CUNA and NAFCU. This campaign is an extension of the original Stop the Debit Card Rule campaign which included advertising in print, television, and while I was in Washington D.C. I saw an ad on the metro.

Will these campaigns work to change the current legislation? Has your credit union gone to your membership to advocate against the interchange change? Whether you have or haven't, above you will find three comprehensive campaigns and materials you can use.

Innovations FCU is at it again with Bad Bank Romance

Innovations FCU is constantly coming up with new and existing products and services for their members. They are also known for having a member-centric culture and being a great place to work. One of the things they have excelled at where other credit unions have struggled is creating interesting videos for the internet.

You may have seen their Flash Mobs or their holiday Jingle Bell Lip Dub.

They have a new video out called Bad Bank Romance. Enjoy!

Exchange City - Kids run a city for a day

One of the ways that Credit Unions show the credit union difference is through financial education and teaching financial literacy to children in their community. As a follow-up to yesterday's radio show with Amy McGraw, I wanted to share this amazing video that she put up. (It's the video she was uploading during the show)

Exchange City is a youth education program, where the students run a city for a day. Watch the video and see what it is all about.

This video was just one of the many Amy has produced for PSCU and the #backchannel community online. It looks like this story will be picked up by the local ABC affiliate as well. Great publicity for the credit union in recognition of what credit unions are all about - people helping people.

Marketing Professional of the Year - Amy McGraw

On today's CU Chat Up, Amy McGraw, CUNA's Marketing Professional of the Year, was on the show to talk about what she has been able to accomplish at Public Service Credit Union. Over the last four years, PSCU has increased their membership by 23% and assets by 41%, which included only one merger of under $1 million. 

Listen to the show here: CU Chat Up - Marketing Professional of the Year - Amy McGraw or listen via the player on the right. You can also download the show into iTunes at either location.

Make sure to listen to the end, because Amy gives some great advice for all marketing professionals! 

Here are links to information shared on the show:

CU Chat Up - Community Outreach through Social Media (Amy's previous appearance on the show)

PSCU's YouTube channel

Going Viral With Celebrity Pitchmen- About BECU, America's First CU and refers to PSCU.

And, words to live by: LOVE WHAT YOU DO!

Leprechauns and Sasquatch ... and Credit Unions too

While looking for credit union videos to share, I came across a lot of very bad ones. Some with poor quality, others with stale ideas, and even some boring announcers. But, I don't think there is a need to showcase bad videos; you can find plenty of them on your own. Instead, here are two credit union commercials that I thought were cute, got their point across effectively and most importantly are a bit fun!

You laughed, didn't you? Do you think Centric FCU were effective at selling the credit union's free checking? 

Should your credit union use QR Codes?

QR codes were created in Japan all the way back in 1994 ... can you remember back that far? I was in college and didn't even have a cell phone back then. Over the last few years, QR codes have gradually surrounded us in our every day lives. Have you noticed them?

I've talked to people who have never heard about QR codes and they have said that once they learned about them, they saw them all the time. These are your members. When considering whether or not to use QR codes, don't worry about whether or not your members will or won't know how to use them. Instead, consider how you can use them.

Will your member remember your credit union if you introduce them to QR codes, rather than someone else? If the topic comes up at a cocktail party, will your member mention, "Oh yeah, I saw those at my credit union." Now, I'm not advocating this as a reason specifically to use them, but what a nice benefit.

This past weekend, I attended the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and there were two examples of QR codes being used.

The Free Comic Book flyer was posted all over the convention center. A black & white copy on plain white paper. Inexpensive. Eye-catching. Free comic book! What a great idea that was sure to bring more people to the "Into the Dust" table than if he hadn't done anything.

C2E2 embraced QR codes as a way to download the official mobile app to your phone, which included the schedule. How can your credit union take advantage of QR codes? Are you ready for it?

Recently on the CU Chat Up radio show, we have discussed some ways to use the codes.

O Bee Credit Union used Microsoft Tag (similiar to QR codes but in color and hosted by Microsoft, but also free) to hold a community scavenger hunt, Capture the Tag. A more elaborate example of how a credit union is using the technology to promote the credit union and community businesses in a fun way. Radio Show: O Bee CU's Cash Hunt

Jimmy Marks from Digital Mailer came on to discuss the codes in general and we brainstormed some ideas that credit unions can use in their marketing and in branches. Radio Show: Examining QR Codes

Has your credit union embraced the technology? How are you using it or how are you thinking about using it? Or, do you think credit unions should stay away from using QR codes?

CU Chat Up - (Hey, We're) The Disclosures online album release party!

The Disclosures (Christopher Morris and Chad Helminak) will be visiting the show to talk about their new thrift rock album - (Hey, We're) The Disclosures. The songs are about the history of credit unions, financial literacy and cooperatives.

Christopher and Chad will talk about how they met and found their shared love of music and credit unions. They have been featured on the Huffington Post's Move Your Money website and wrote a well-received song to protest the Durbin Amendment on interchange. 

Tune in Monday, March 14th at Noon CT to hear all about the duo, how their album came about and where you will find them performing over the next few months.

Direct link to the show:  (Hey, We're) The Disclosures online album release party. You can also listen to the archived show at the same link or on the player on this page.

If you haven't bought the album yet, what are you waiting for? You can listen to clips and download the MP3 album directly from Amazon, click below. 

Changing the Conversation

Today's blog post comes from special contributor, Tina K. Hall. She attended CUNA's Governmental Affairs conference last week. Over the next week, watch for more from Tina.

“We need to change the conversation in Washington.”  

Bill Cheney, CUNA President and CEO, repeated that comment four times during his brief opening remarks at GAC.  He noted that for years others have defined what credit unions have been or can be.  He asked our audience of 4,000 to lead credit union conversations in new directions.  Cheney said, 

Ninety three million members can not and will not be ignored if we engage them.  We are here to stay. We serve members prudently.  We have a right to keep our tax exemption as long as we keep telling our story.  

At this point in time, do you think telling our story enough?  Many credit unions have engaging histories, like this one from Twin Star Credit Union.  Others, like BECU, document a full “statement of commitment” to their membership.  Both are great examples of telling the credit union story.

But perhaps the time has come to ask our members to do more than read our histories and hear our principles.   If we are going to truly engage our membership, we need to ask them to participate in new ways.  If we rely solely on the shrinking number of credit union organizations to tell our story, we are missing an opportunity to capitalize on 93 million voices.  

If we are going to change the conversation in Washington, we need more advocates.  Perhaps the time has come to invite more members to Washington to engage in our system first hand.  Perhaps the time has come to go beyond histories and principles by asking members to pledge their support.  They can pledge their support by telling our story, casting a vote, and participating in the system.  

Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  What do you think we need to do differently to truly change the conversation in Washington?  

GAC 2011 - Live Coverage - Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Follow Wednesday's happenings at CUNA's annual Governmental Affairs Conference right here!

Did you miss out on Monday' or Tuesday's Coverage? The archive is still available: Monday, February 28th at GAC and Tuesday, March 1st at GAC.

In addition to the CU Chat Up live coverage, you can follow all the #GAC11 tweets in our live blog event below.

CUNA President/CEO Bill Cheney will be testifying before the House Financial Services committee at 2 pm ET today regarding the The Effect of Dodd-Frank on Small Financial Institutions.

Some of Wednesday's events include the following speakers:

• Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)
• House Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-AL)
• Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)
• House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)
• Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
• Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)
• Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WVA)
• Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
• House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

GAC 2011 - Live Coverage - Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Follow Tuesday's happenings at CUNA's annual Governmental Affairs Conference right here!

Did you miss out on Monday's Coverage? The archive is still available: Monday, February 28th at GAC

In addition to the CU Chat Up live coverage, you can follow all the #GAC11 tweets in our live blog event below.

Some of Tuesday's events include the following speakers:

• Elizabeth Warren - Assistant to the President & Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH)
• Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO)
• Gigi Hyland - NCUA Board Member
• Future of Corporate Credit Union System Panel
• Political Point-Counterpoint - Arianna Huffington and Mary Matalin

We will also be bringing you highlights from the Credit Union Times Trailblazer Awards.