GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.–Xtend and Seattle, Wash.-based Zipwhip have announced a new partnership that enables the credit union customers of Xtend to use their existing landline, VoIP, and toll free phone numbers for two-way text messaging with their members. By giving members “Choice over Voice” and allowing them to engage with credit unions in any medium they prefer, Xtend and Zipwhip said they believe the new partnership will further strengthen the credit unions’ already member first engagement strategies.
“We are excited to introduce Zipwhip’s solutions to our network of credit unions,” said Xtend President Scott Collins. “This service will help our credit unions leverage a new channel of communication for their members, and do so cost-effectively. We encourage our customer-owners to deploy as many communication channels as possible so the member can choose the one that best suits them, and I see Zipwhip filling a valuable gap for members that prefer interacting via text.”
Zipwhip, a two-way conversational and informational texting platform is designed for easy deployment in contact centers, collections departments, loan servicing/operations teams, and new accounts. With growing adoption in the credit union sector, two-way text messaging is seeing success reducing hold times, call abandonment, and improving member experiences.
Separately, Xtend announced that it and ClearChoice Holdings are in the process of deploying a unique 0% interest online shopping solution at several credit unions that are part of the cuasterisk.com network.
The credit unions are leveraging the ClearChoice platform that was developed as a credit union-friendly alternative to rent-to-own, predatory lenders and employee purchase programs, the companies said.
“Through this solution, members and non-members are able to make pre-approved online purchases of everyday household items, take delivery of those items and pay for them interest free over a typical term of six to 18 months,” Xtend said in a statement.
“We are excited to bring the ClearChoice program to our customer-owners,” said Xtend’s Collins. “We believe the success of these early launches will convince a significant number of our credit unions to offer this niche lending solution to their members who might traditionally seek other non-traditional financing routes with hidden costs and stiff penalties. Recent national studies have put a number of between 40% and 50% of Americans that would be unable to afford a $400 emergency expense. We believe the ClearChoice solution is a great answer for members in those difficult situations. Moreover, we believe it reflects the core values of our industry and should help them attract un-banked consumers to their cooperatives.”
Finally, Xtend, Inc., has announced the results of its board election, with Andy Fogle, CEO of Des Moines Police Officers CU; Carma Peters, CEO of Michigan Legacy CU, and Mark Richter, CEO of First United CU elected/re-elected to the board.
During the meeting Director Glenn Kretchmer was recognized for serving on the CUSO Board since its inception in 2003.