LOS ANGELES–Wescom Credit Union, Delta Community Credit Union and Georgia Credit Union affiliates have all announced ambitious new financial education programs.
Did You Know?
Wescom CU has launched “Did You Know,” a financial education campaign that it says delivers quick and easy methods for managing personal finances by simply being educated about banking basics. A series of money-smart programs, financial tips, complementary financial consulting and mobile banking events is being launched throughout Southern California.
Wescom said its financial education opportunities cater to individuals and specific audiences from Millennials to Boomers, supporting financial literacy programs for everyone from first-time home buyers and college students focusing on their future financial plan to refinancing car loans, lowering personal credit card interest rates and restructuring retirement plans. The goal of the campaign is to help individuals maintain an educated approach to their finances, the credit union said.
“Traditional banking terms and practices have long been considered complicated and mundane. Times have changed and consumers want a stronger stake hold and participation in their financial interests,” the credit union said. “Technology advancements and eServices have also brought about new and exciting opportunities to manage personal finances. Wescom’s financial education campaign was created to prove that the banking basics most people fear are actually quite simple.”
“Each stage of life has its own particular financial issues and every person has their own particular financial education needs. We want to help people realize that taking charge of their personal finances is not as difficult or time consuming as they may think,” said Darren Williams, CEO of Wescom. “We’re hoping to simplify the banking world, one individual at a time.”
Wescom’s Financial Education portal, Wescom.org/DidYouKnow, offers tips, programs, and free resources for all walks of life, including:
- My Generation (18-34 Years) – a money-smart start to your future
- Boomers – restructuring retirement plans, Social Security calculations, information on trusts and insurance opportunities
- Families – programs specifically designed for families, single parenting and youths
- Homeowners/Home Buyers – knowing the facts and understanding the opportunities available when buying a home
- College Students – important practices for a sound financial future – initially launched through UCLA’s student-athlete financial literacy program
- Insurance Protection – understanding unique, important facts about insurance and the ability to obtain coverage without needing to go through a traditional insurance broker
As part of the financial education program, Big Blue, Wescom’s Mobile Banking Unit, will be visiting neighborhoods and community events throughout Southern California. Measuring 18-feet tall, Big Blue is a traveling Wescom branch equipped with informative touch-screen TVs, a full-service ATM machine, and an 88” flat screen TV on top of the fully decked out Big Blue truck. Financial experts are on hand to help the community learn about financial opportunities, assist in opening accounts and handle banking transactions.
Video In Georgia
Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, through its in-house marketing agency Growth by Design, has released a four-minute video to shine a spotlight on what Georgia credit unions do every day to Help People Afford Life (HPAL).
The video, which was shot, edited, directed and produced at GBD’s own studio, illustrates the importance of credit unions in the lives of consumers – and how credit unions step up to the plate on a daily basis to be heroes for their members, the GCUA said.
The video can be found here.
Delta Community's Financial Ed Center
In Atlanta, meanwhile, the $5-billion Delta Community Credit Union has launched a comprehensive Financial Education Center. DCCU said the innovative financial resource consolidates its existing wide array of on-site workshops and resources, and now provides users access with one convenient listing of all financial educational opportunities, including online courses.
"Our Financial Education Center is unique among credit unions in metro Atlanta, because it provides multiple free on-site financial education programs to members of the public," said Jai Rogers, Delta Community's vice president of business and community development, in a released statement. "Our educational curriculum covers many topics, from credit repair to first-time home buying and almost everything in between…Our Financial Education Center provides a single online channel with course details, an events calendar and a convenient registration process so that Delta Community members and others can access the on-site workshops and online courses that meet their specific needs.”