MADISON, Wis.–International Credit Union Day will be celebrated by credit unions around the world this week, with numerous initiatives planned.
The 2017 International Credit Union Day theme is “Dreams Thrive Here.”
According to CUNA, this year’s theme was selected via an online poll of professionals in the credit union community.
“The theme reflects the initial results of CUNA’s ongoing research into what resonates with consumers about credit unions,” said Jeremiah Tucker, CUNA consumer engagement program lead, in a statement. “Credit unions are good at showing how we’re the socially responsible choice for banking, but we also need to remind consumers that credit unions are their best choice for personal success and satisfaction.”
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.
“Harland Clarke has been delivering products and services to credit unions since the dawn of the movement. Given our relationships with more than 3,500 credit unions around the country, it was a natural fit for us to partner with CUNA to propagate the significance of International Credit Union Day,” said Dan Singleton, President and CEO, Harland Clarke. “We are proud of the role we play in supporting credit unions on a day-to-day basis and are even more honored to help raise awareness of the vital role they play in communities around the world.”
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.”
Here's Some of What's Planned
Among other efforts that have been taking place or are planned for International CU Day:
- Numerous credit unions plan to be out to lunch on Tuesday, Oct. 17. “CU Lunch Local,” a nationwide cash mob aimed at showing support for small businesses, is back for its sixth year, and has expanded into a new state, Iowa, this year. The event is organized by the lending CUSO Michigan Business Connection. According to its organizers, participation in CU Lunch Local is simple. “First, commit to buying local on Oct. 17th. It could be as simple as a cup of coffee from a neighborhood shop, ordering lunch for your department from a locally owned deli, or cash mobbing a locally owned and operated eatery,” organizers said. “Then, spread the word to others in your credit union, the credit union industry and your local community. “Next, join the event on Facebook (www.facebook.com/culunchlocal). Share the event with your members, community businesses and online friends to help build a community of support.” Michigan Business Connection said it is also asking participants to consider “challenging” another credit union, their state league, and other credit union industry partners to participate. Credit unions that plan to participate can sign up here.
- Credit unions across the United States are being invited to celebrate International Credit Union Day by participating in Shop for Miracles, a one-day Credit Unions for Kids program that raises funds for local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Shop for Miracles encourages credit unions to pledge a donation to their local CMN Hospital in honor of their cardholders to help celebrate International Credit Union Day. Like all Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals donations, funds raised locally will remain in the community to support the hospital’s greatest needs, often including equipment, life-saving research, treatments or charitable care, Children’s Miracle Network said. To register, credit unions can visit the CU4Kids website www.cu4kids.org/shopformiracles. Marketing collateral and other resources to help credit unions promote the program to members are also available on the website.
- 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.