When it comes to financial institutions providing a bit more value these days, rewards programs definitely fall into that category. Summit Credit Union has a very successful rewards program called Oodles, membership rewards program that recognizes members who help build the credit union's cooperative value by using multiple services.

As with any progressive credit union, Summit saw room for improvement and wanted to take its rewards program to a higher level. Enter Larky and Filene's rewards pilot program, raising the eye brows of Summit -- and off to the races they went.

To get the details, we invited Summit's Senior Vice President of Marketing Chris Schell on the show. Chris shared such items as how does the pilot program work, why they participated, how it complements its current Oodles program, its goals, and, of course, any advice for other credit unions looking to venture down the same value-added path, as well. Enjoy!
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It's an election year and politics are going to heat up fast as November draws closer. Where do credit unions fit in all of this? Nowhere, if we don't talk about us. In other words, now is as an important of a time than ever to be an advocate for this industry to enhance our relevancy in consumer financial services.

Credit unions, for the most part, have had a pretty good run the last few years. To keep this steady pace, we, again, need to be advocates. And that means keeping the credit union's name in your representative's ear all year -- not just at the GAC. This consistency keeps our name top of mind for Capitol Hill folks to remember when pressing issues arise that can benefit us. Plain and simple.

To take a deeper dive into industry advocacy efforts, we invited CUNA's Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan on the show to discuss the organization's 2016 advocacy goals. We address how advocacy affects such issues as reducing regulatory burden, expanding access to all credit unions, engaging in development of public policy, and preserving that old stalwart our tax exemption.

Ryan details what we can do to ensure these items fall in our favor through clear, consistent advocacy efforts from you the credit union population. Let us know what you're doing on this front and how it's benefiting you and your peers.

The Partnership Federal Credit Union launched a "lending revolution" in 2014, leveraging data analytics to develop new products for members to help them move up the financial ladder toward stability and ultimately prosperity. A few of these products include an open-ended loan to help credit challenged members break their reliance on payday lenders, a self-service tool  to reduce monthly auto loan payments by extending loan terms, and an interactive calculator to guide refinancing loan decisions.

Subsequently, the credit union experienced some impressive results from its revolution -- along with an Excellence in Lending Award from CUNA Lending Council (sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group). The Partnership's Director of Lending Strategies and Business Technology David Martinez joined us to share those results, along with how many of these products were developed and delivered based on data analytics. David also provided plenty of helpful advice for other credit unions looking to accomplish the same feats with their own lending revolutions. Another inspiring story. Enjoy!

Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union closed 2015 in style winning CUNA Lending Council's Excellence in Lending Award in the Low-to-Modest Means category for its Life Line program. To get the details of Life Line and how it's helped so many members escape debt, rebuild credit, avoid predatory lenders, etc., we invited Georgia Heritage's Vice President of Operations Robby Glore.

In this candid conversation, we discovered the program's impressive results, benefits, and how it has impacted the community. Impressive stuff here from the folks at Georgia Heritage, as Robby provides a bit of advice for other credit unions looking to embark on similar programs. Enjoy!

It's always an honor and pleasure having GTE Financial's President/CEO Joe Brancucci on the show -- especially when he shares any of his business insights. Joe did just that and more during his visit with us, discussing his credit union's recent CUNA Lending Council Award win in the "Low-to-Modest Means" category.

Joe humbly explained how GTE Financial plans to turn two $1 million CDFI grants into $330 million in loans to more than 40,000 members, $125 million in small business loans, and first credit cards to 25,000 members all in five years. He revealed his latest numbers during our chat -- and he's well on his way to exceeding those goals.

But those are just numbers, as impressive as they are. Joe went way deeper, sharing exactly what these funds will do for his members, their community's, and essentially the local economy. It's "who we are" he consistently repeated throughout the discussion, passionately committed to providing GTE Financial's members with the means to better their lives.

Enjoy this conversation with one of our industry's more proactive and valued leaders.