MADISON, Wis.–International Credit Union Day is today, and credit unions around the world and the United States are marking the occasion in a number of different ways.
The 2017 International Credit Union Day theme is “Dreams Thrive Here.”
International Credit Union Day has been celebrated on the third Thursday of every October since 1948. This year, Harland Clarke announced it has become the exclusive sponsor of International Credit Union Day in conjunction with CUNA.
Harland Clarke said it plans to actively participate in some of its own credit union clients’ celebrations throughout the country. The company added that its “sponsorship of International Credit Union Day reinforces its ongoing commitment to helping credit unions deliver the most value and best experience to their members, while competing effectively in the markets they serve.”
Elsewhere around the U.S. and the world:
- Hudson Valley FCU in New York has been staging a contest offering members the chance to win a $50 Visa gift card. One winner will be chosen from each branch and one from all its online entries. At all its branches today, refreshments will be available. And throughout October, it is participating in the Food for Veterans Food Drive, on which it has partnered with other credit unions to collect non-perishable food donations for veterans who use the outpatient services at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System.
- During the Catalyst Corporate Economic Forum earlier this month, participants took time out to create a brief video wishing those in the movement a Happy International Credit Union Day. The well-wishes from more than two dozen credit union leaders and volunteers was edited down to a four-minute video and posted to Catalyst Corporate’s Facebook page. The video can be viewed and shared from https://facebook.com/catalystcorpfcu. It is also available via Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/238086803.
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The Wisconsin Credit Union league published data from CUNA–
Credit Union Economic Contributions: Estimates by State, Wisconsin – that estimates that credit unions contributed $4 billion to the state’s economy, 22,000 jobs, and more than $1 billion in employee earnings in 2016 alone.“OnThursday, the credit union Movement celebrates how ‘Dreams Thrive Here,’ and these findings illustrate how true that is. Being local, member-owned institutions helps ensure that benefits stay here on Wisconsin’s main streets,” said League President and CEO Brett Thompson. “The actual impact of credit unions is greater still. This report doesn’t take into account the millions saved each year by the three-million members who choose credit unions.” -
In Harrisburg, Penn., the Pennsylvania CU Association will unveil its new logo and brand promise today. The PCUA will unveil the new logo at 11 a.m. on Facebook Live on its Facebook page. Also Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union hascreated a short PSECU Asks You video in which its members share how PSECU and the credit union movement have helped them achieve their dreams. PSECU is also posting the video on Facebook and asking viewers to comment on how PSECU has helped them achieve a financial goal. “The credit union model is unique in that it creates financial cooperatives that are ‘owned’ by their members. Unlike banks, which ultimately serve corporate stockholders, money made by a credit union is returned to its members through benefits like competitive loan rates and low- or no-fee products and services,” said PSECU President Greg Smith. “Credit unions also strive to follow the ‘people helping people’ commitment of support for their members and their communities through strong corporate social responsibility efforts like charitable giving and volunteerism.”
- In Albany, N.Y., the New York Credit Union Association held a rally at the state Capitol. More than 150 credit union advocates, members, employees, volunteers and leaders were on hand to celebrate International Credit Union Week, the Association’s 100-year anniversary, and the unveiling of a pledge signed by over 300 New York credit unions, according to the New York Credit Union Association. State lawmakers—including Sen. Neil Breslin and Patricia Fahy also attended the event and praised credit unions for their community involvement initiatives.
“Credit unions are different than other financial institutions because we are mission-focused, and our mission is 100% focused on serving our members and our communities,” said Association President/CEO William J. Mellin. “We help our members get to a better place, live better lives and realize their dreams.”
During his remarks, Mellin unveiled a document signed by New York credit unions that reaffirms the state credit union movement’s commitment to their members, communities and philosophy.
The event concluded with a representative from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announcing a citation from the governor, who congratulated the Association and the state’s credit unions on an extraordinarily successful century of service.
- In Newfoundland, Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union (NLCU) will be hosting a “Coffee Break” at its 12 locations province-wide, in addition to being part of International Credit Union Day. The effort is part of NLCU’s 60 Acts of Kindness campaign in 2017. The beneficiary of today’s Coffee Break fundraiser will be the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Coffee Break has raised over $1 million every year in support of essential programs and services for people living with dementia, their caregivers and family, matching well with NLCU’s community-driven focus, the credit union said.
As CUToday.info reported earlier, other International CU Day activities will include:
- In Santa Rosa, Calif., where many credit unions this year are working to help members recover from devastating fires, Redwood Credit Union said that each time members use their RCU Visa debit or credit card on Oct. 19 it will donate 25 cents to local food banks in Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake, San Francisco, and Mendocino counties. Benefiting food banks include Redwood Empire Food Bank, Community Action Napa Valley (CANV), and the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank. From Oct. 16-19, visitors who like RCU’s Facebook page will have chances to win cash prizes through daily credit union trivia contests. And on October 19, RCU’s 19 locations will celebrate ICU Day by providing snacks, kids’ coloring pages, special giveaways, and more.
- In Tucson, Ariz., Vantage West Credit Union on Oct. 19 will be hosting in-branch member appreciation activities across its 17 branches. In a random gesture of member appreciation, all 17 Vantage West branches will surprise one lucky member visiting that day with a $25 restaurant gift card as a special “Lunch on Us” treat.
- In Tampa, Fla., CSCU has launched a social media campaign in celebration of International Credit Union Day. From Oct. 9-20, CSCU said is inviting all CUs to share pictures and videos of their plans and activities for International CU Day on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #CSCU. In turn, CSCU will donate $5 for each post or tweet and $10 for each share or retweet of CSCU’s posts and tweets with the hashtag #ICUDay towards hurricane relief efforts.
- In Tallahassee, Fla., FSU Credit Union has been asking its members to share their experiences as a member and to reflect upon all the benefits you enjoy by being a part of your credit union. Those who share their stories are being entered into a random drawing to win four tickets to the FSU-Louisville football game on Oct. 21st.
- In Livonia, Mich., CU Solutions Group (CUSG) said it has partnered with Gas Station TV (GSTV) and 22 credit union leagues to run special credit union advertising at gas pumps across 32 states. International Credit Union Day is Oct. 19. In honor of the day, CUSG and GSTV have arranged for commercials to run at all GSTV-affiliated gas stations in 32 participating states from Oct. 13-19. According to CUSG, the week-long promotion will highlight credit union benefits and will be shown at nearly 12,000 gas stations, delivering 43 million impressions. CU Solutions Group added that the GSTV audience is well-aligned with key credit union audience targets. Adults 18-49 comprise 69% of the network’s viewership, and 41% of GSTV viewers are between the ages of 18 and 34, a significantly higher proportion than the general population. Moreover, the medium delivers twice the ad recall of TV, CUSG said.