once you're carbon neutral (or better), then what?

What’s Beyond Green?

“Green” is just one type of applied ethics that fits right in to the credit union ethos. After all, credit unions don’t consume all that much energy and goods compared to other types of businesses. But once you’re carbon neutral (or better), then what? What’s beyond green? Clear One of the big trends in business is…

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CUs want to do what's right for members but they make more money when they take out lots of loans.

What’s in your CU DNA?

Credit Unions care more about their members’ economic well-being than making a profit. Most CU Marketers would agree that’s an accepted part of the credit union DNA, straight out of the “not-for-profit” designation, and therefore Marketing should promote those products most beneficial for the member. But ask a CFO and you will likely hear a different…

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on the similarities between hospitals and credit unions

4:00 am Vampires

I just spent nearly a week in the hospital. I’m fine now, but let’s just say I wouldn’t wish gallstones and pancreatitis on my worst enemy. With an extreme case of boredom setting in, I started musing on the similarities between hospitals and credit unions. Both are large institutions created to make people’s lives better.…

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By 2050 Hispanics will be 29% of the U.S. population.

How’s Your Spanish?

Immigration reform may be a hot-button issue right now, but credit unions need to open their doors wider now — assuming they want to stay relevant in the future. According to Pew Research Center, the population of the U.S. will rise from 296 million to 438 million by 2050. Almost all (82% or 117 million)…

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Are financial services a necessary evil or a commodity?

Are you a commodity?

Is it any wonder the public does not know there is a difference between credit unions and banks? To the average consumer, financial services are often seen as a necessary evil, or at best, a commodity — something pretty much the same quality no matter where you get it, and sold by such a large…

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No wonder so much marketing is written for marketers, not members.

Your Members Aren’t You

To make an emotional connection with someone, you have to tailor your communication to their wants and needs, not your own. This seems pretty obvious — most people know that they should use simpler language and and talk about “kid stuff” when talking to children, and they probably shouldn’t use swear words around Grandma. But…

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