2013 Share It Campaign
This year PaCUSC will again offer credit unions a turnkey marketing program to help promote shared branching to their members. Member awareness of shared branching will help increase usage and member satisfaction. The program will include a supply of marketing material at no cost to your credit union.
This year’s campaign will include two member contests with two ways members can win. The first way to win will be to go to the website, www.shareit.coop, where members can learn more about shared branching and register to win a $100 gift card. Members will be able to register beginning on August 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013. Members can also win a $100 gift card by conducting a shared branching transaction during the month of September. PaCUSC will provide each participating credit union with two gift cards you can award to the winning members!
Participating credit unions will receive a supply of free statement inserts, counter signs and post-it notes to promote the campaign to your members. Credit unions will also be able to order additional quantities and additional items such as directories and locator cards.
We hope your credit union will participate in this year’s Share It Campaign to share with your members how convenient it is to use your credit union, either across town or across the country. Additional information will be coming with more details the beginning of May.
Member Service at Shared Branching Locations
We have heard concerns from several credit unions over the aggravation of servicing shared branching members. Credit unions have expressed concerns that these members are very demanding, especially when it comes to transactions they may not be able to perform at a shared branching location. We want to make sure shared branching is a pleasant and enjoyable experience for all parties involved.
We would like to ask credit unions to remind their members shared branching is a benefit of membership. Make sure they understand there are certain transactions shared branching members cannot perform, or could be limited in performing, at shared branching locations. Remember not all locations do certain transactions, such as check withdrawals, as well as the limited sale of certain ancillary items. Shared branching locations that are not cashless are required to provide at least $500 to the member in the form of a cash withdrawal. Some locations may provide more than this, but most do not, so members need to understand there are limitations.
Acquirers need to keep in mind shared branching members should be receiving the same level of service their own credit union membership receives daily. Tellers should not be treating them any differently because they are not a member of their credit union. You want to make sure you are servicing these members like you want your members serviced at other shared branching locations.
We want to make sure every member has a pleasant experience with shared branching since it is a reflection on all parties involved. If your credit union has any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Sandy Shenk.
Introducing Sprig
CO-OP Shared Branching has introduced Sprig, available to all credit unions using the Next Generation Network (NGN) connection. (The NGN connection is what connects your credit union’s data processor to CO-OP Shared Branching and/or Mobile).
Sprig is a unique virtual credit union for members to conveniently access all of their credit union accounts they already accessed via shared branching. Credit union members can enroll all of their credit union accounts and can conduct the same shared branching directly through online, mobile applications, and text options.
Features by access options:
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Features
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Online
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Mobile App
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Text
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CU Account Aggregation
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X
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X
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X
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Enroll and Add Accounts
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X
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X
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Balance Inquiry
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X
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X
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X
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Transaction History
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X
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X
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X
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Transfer Between Accounts
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At same or different CUs
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At same or different CUs
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At same CU
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Recurring Transfer Setup
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X
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Savings Goal (and related transfers
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X
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Deposit Checks
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X (iPhone only)
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|
Credit union transactions occur in real-time and usually show up within minutes (credit union hold policies apply).
To learn more about Sprig, your credit union can view the recorded webinar here. We have also provided some FAQs for your credit union to review.
If you have additional questions or would like more information, please contact Sandy Shenk.
CO-OP Mobile Banking Update
CO-OP has announced that the iPad version of their mobile app and My Deposit Mobile is here! Currently the iPhone version can be used on an iPad; however it is the size of an iPhone. With the iPad version, it will fit the screen of the iPad which will be a benefit for the mobile banking members who use the iPad.
CO-OP continues to make improvements to their mobile banking product as new technology becomes available. If your credit union currently does not have a mobile banking provider, we encourage you to review their product.
Coming Soon ...
New Secret Shopper Program
CO-OP Shared Branching is pleased to announce that an enhanced Secret Shopper Program is coming in 2013. Following the merger with FSCC, both organizations have consolidated their programs into one, which provides consistency across the network. The program now includes online reporting capabilities making it easy for credit unions to access their results in real time, as well as a revised questionnaire.
More information will be shared in the coming weeks on the new program.
Enhanced Fraud Alert System
CO-OP Shared Branching is pleased to announce that a new, more secure fraud alert system has been developed and will be deployed in early February. Participating credit unions will now be able to log on to a secure website to view any fraudulent activity that has been reported to CO-OP Shared Branching.
Credit union staff will need to register in order to access the new system. They will not receive access until their account has been approved, which will be completed within 24 hours of initial registration. Staff that has registered with the previous system will automatically be granted access.
Information and FAQs regarding the new system will be communicated as more information is received, so watch for more details to follow.
Industry-First CO-OP NextGen ATM Now Available
CO-OP NextGen ATM, an industry-first, self-service innovation that provides greater convenience to members by enabling shared branching transactions at the ATM, is now available to credit unions.
"CO-OP NextGen ATM gives credit unions the ability to optimize their ATM channel and capital expenditures by using their current ATM fleet to support traditional ATM transactions and shared branching transactions," said Stan Hollen, President/CEO, CO-OP Financial Services. "CO-OP is the first provider in the United States to offer this leading edge technology that provides greater member convenience and expanded branch reach, without brick and mortar, 24/7, 365 days a year."
CO-OP Financial Services and Diebold, Incorporated have developed the new application software. This software will allow members of participating CO-OP Shared Branching credit unions to conduct nearly all branch transactions, including loan payments, at Diebold Opteva® ATMs. With CO-OP NextGen ATM, members can select a shared branching option to access all of their accounts with the credit union, not just those linked to the card as with standard ATM transactions.
While giving members more ways to manage their accounts at their convenience, the product promotes in-branch efficiency as staff is freed to concentrate on more complex revenue activities. CO-OP NextGen ATM also provides an additional source of acquirer interchange revenue for credit unions; they may now extend shared branch transactions to the nearly 1,800 credit unions and 44 million members in the CO-OP Shared Branching network.
For more information, visit www.co-opfs.org or contact Sandy Shenk.
Registration Open for THINK 13
Registration is open for CO-OP Financial Services THINK 13 Conference being held in Chicago, Illinois at the Swissôtel April 29- May 2. The THINK Conference was created to put a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by credit unions every day. It's a credit union event for credit union employees, but you won't find the standard conference format or see typical industry speakers. What you will find is innovation and inspiration, leaving you with actionable, take-home insights to help your credit union succeed.
Register today by visiting www.co-opthink.org. Also follow @COOPTHINK on Twitter for daily updates.