HOUSTON–A new company called PerkUP has been launched offering services designed to make financial education engaging for corporate employees and motivate them toward responsible and beneficial financial behavior.
The company said it delivers its products – information, advice, entertainment, and prizes (perks) for participation – at no charge to companies and their employees. The PerkUp program is designed to be offered by a sponsoring credit union, so that the credit union can build relationships with the organizations and the people who work for them.
PerkUp is a newly formed subsidiary of Dolphin Debit, the full-service ATM management company that has strong relationships throughout the credit union and banking industry. It uses an innovative, credit union-customized and branded technology platform to provide individuals with financial tools that help them make smart choices with their money, the company said.
According to PerkUp, individuals can sign up with PerkUp and take quizzes, play games, and take part in other activities that help them learn more about how to manage their money and save for their future. They can win rewards and perks not only for the learning activities, but for their financial actions as well. They earn extra perks by adding to their savings accounts or contributing to the company 401K.
If users want to start savings accounts or take out loans – avoiding high-cost options such as payday loans – a simple click will connect them to an online portal where they can join the sponsoring credit union, open savings accounts, and take out socially responsible loans without having to visit a credit union branch, according to Dolphin Debit.
"We saw a way to help the hundreds of credit union clients we work with take advantage of the growing interest in employee financial wellness by companies of all sizes," explained Ben Allen, President of Dolphin Debit. "While PerkUp and Dolphin Debit will operate separately, what we have in common is advancing the interests of credit unions."
Jonathan Harrison, Chief Financial Educator of PerkUp, added that, "We put credit unions at the heart of PerkUp because we know they care about individuals' personal financial health. They are in the best position to help their members save for their future or take out sensible loans. Because credit unions are the foundation for the PerkUp activities, they stand to benefit from new members, new accounts, and more loan activity."
Harrison said that the prizes offered through the PerkUp program will entice employees to take part, and the tone and presentation of the materials will help them learn more about a subject that can often be incredibly boring. It offers clear benefits to everyone involved – employees, employers, and credit unions.
Employees can access PerkUp from special computer kiosks located inside their companies or via their personal computers or mobile devices. Often their companies are already affiliated with a specific credit union. However, if a company wants to offer PerkUp to employees as a financial wellness program but isn't affiliated with a credit union, PerkUp will match them up with one.
For more info: www.myperkup.com.