Thursday, August 30, 2012

Credit Union ONE & First Bankcard expand credit card options

Ferndale, Michigan – Credit Union ONE and First Bankcard, a division of First National Bank of Omaha, have expanded their partnership by adding a new suite of credit card products issued by First Bankcard.

Currently, Credit Union ONE offers First Bankcard’s Platinum Edition® Visa® and Maximum Rewards® Visa® cards, but felt that its diverse membership needed additional credit card options that would reflect its members’ various buying styles. Because of this, Credit Union ONE is excited to announce the expansion of their product offerings issued by First Bankcard by adding the Secured Visa®, Credit Union ONE American Express® Card, Credit Union ONE Graphite American Express® Card, and Credit Union ONE Discover® credit cards to their portfolio.

“We are proud to be affiliated with First Bankcard to offer such a wide range of credit cards and look forward to being able to give our members various levels of benefits from which they can choose,” said Swami Seetharaman, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Credit Union ONE.

Seetharaman said the new products offer more flexibility to its members’ options: the Credit Union ONE American Express® Card and Credit Union ONE Graphite American Express® Card offer travel focused rewards, the Credit Union ONE Discover® Card features cash back rewards, and the Secured Visa® product provides the ability to build or establish credit.

“First Bankcard continues to look for innovative ways to expand our partner’s product offerings,” said Stephen F. Eulie, president of First Bankcard. “We applaud Credit Union ONE for being our first credit union partner to expand its product offering to include cards that will be accepted on the Visa®, American Express, and Discover® networks.”

For more information about these great new product offerings, visit www.cuone.org/borrow

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale, Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with eighteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to cuone.org or "like us" on Facebook

About First Bankcard:
First Bankcard is a Top 15 credit card issuer with more than 600 financial institution, co-brand and affinity partners. For more than 40 years, First Bankcard has offered quality products and superior service to help customers achieve their goals. First Bankcard is a division of First National Bank of Omaha.

About First National Bank of Omaha:
First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska has grown into the largest privately owned banking company in the United States. First National and its affiliates have $17 billion in managed assets and nearly 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking officers are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Credit Union ONE now accepting Matricula Consular de Mexico for Membership


Pictured (L to R): J. Abel Sanchez-Guerrero, Consulate
of Mexico-Community and Cultural Affairs Department;
Mariza Sanchez, Credit Union ONE-Southwest Detroit
Assistant Branch Manager; Vicente Sanchez Ventura,
Consul of Mexico; Gary Moody, President/CEO-Credit
Union ONE; Yvette Gonzalez, Credit Union ONE-
Southwest Detroit Branch Manager
 Ferndale, Michigan – Earlier this month, Credit Union ONE began to accept the Matricula Consular de Mexico card (“Matricula”) as a form of identification to establish membership at its Southwest Detroit Branch. The card is an identification card issued by the Mexican consulate to Mexican nationals. It is primarily issued to Mexican citizens residing outside of Mexico.

Credit Union ONE has operated a branch in Southwest Detroit for decades, and recently determined that access to financial services for Mexican citizens living and working in the community was not being met due to challenges with obtaining appropriate identification. “Changes to state laws and federal laws to combat terrorism and money laundering made opening an account impossible. Matricula offers us the ability to assure access to services while also being compliant with various laws,” said Yvette Gonzalez, Branch Manager of the Southwest Branch.

Credit Union ONE is among a small group of credit unions that accept the Matricula Consular de Mexico card as a form of acceptable identification to open an account and establish membership. It has gained in popularity as an acceptable form of identification at other institutions around the country since the introduction of many enhanced security features. The credit union hopes that acceptance of Matricula and its partnership with the Federal Reserve funds transfer program known as Directo a Mexico, will open up more opportunities for membership in the Southwest area.

“The Mexican Consulate in Detroit welcomes this initiative from Credit Union ONE to accept the Matricula Consular as a form of identification, which allows opening an account. It is a concern of this office to ensure the banking services are made available for our Mexican community in Detroit among other cities. We are certain, that this program will benefit our community as a whole. In the meantime, the consulate will continue to collaborate with Credit Union ONE to craft ideas like this one for our community benefit,” said Vicente Sanchez Ventura, Consul of Mexico.

“Mexican citizens who have strong family ties to the community regularly move between the U.S. and Mexico to follow work. It is critical for these people to establish account relationships to make deposits, save, and in many cases move funds to relatives in Mexico. This is about proving safe, secure, low cost financial services to an important and sometimes vulnerable segment of the community,” said Gary Moody, President and CEO of Credit Union ONE.

The credit union has plans in the future to expand the number of locations at which it will accept Matricula as a valid form of identification.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with eighteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to cuone.org or "like us" on Facebook

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org

Monday, August 20, 2012

Oakland University Honors College students receive Credit Union ONE Scholarships

Credit Union ONE Oakland University Honors College Scholarship
Recipients (top row, l to r) Nicholas Strand, Holly Ernst, Vincenzo
Julian, Rachael Lynn, Nicole Redko, (bottom row, l to r) Alexander
Pozanski, Marisa Cervantes, Courtney Cutler and Stefen Kutchey
Ferndale, Michigan – Continuing the partnership, Credit Union ONE and the Oakland University Honors College Scholarship and Awards Committee joined together to make a exceptional college education more accessible to academically promising students.

Later this fall at the 2012 President’s Scholarship Luncheon, held at Oakland University, these students will be recognized as Credit Union ONE scholarship recipients. This year Credit Union ONE awarded approximately $67,000 in scholarships to Oakland University Honors College students.

Alexander Pozanski of Waterford, Marisa Cervantes of Warren, and Vincenzo Julian of Troy were selected to receive Credit Union ONE COS Awards, the most prestigious awards offered by the Honors College. The full-ride scholarship, covers the fall 2012 and winter 2013 semesters.

These full-time, incoming freshmen benefit from paid tuition and room and board, as well as a book stipend for each semester. They were selected on the basis of their potential to maintain good academic standing and demonstrate meaningful leadership in The Honors College, at Oakland University or in their communities.

Also awarded for the fall 2012and winter 2013 semesters were six $2,000 Credit Union ONE CO Awards. These, too were based on each recipient’s potential to maintain good academic standing and demonstrate meaningful leadership. This year’s awardees are Stefen Kutchey of St. Clair Shores, Rachael Lynn of Troy, Nicole Redko of Troy, Courtney Cutler of Southfield, Holly Ernst of Armada, and Nicholas Strand of China Township.

“With the help of these scholarships, we look forward to seeing these exemplary students flourish both academically and socially at Oakland,” said Graeme Harper, director of The Honors College. “We appreciate the generosity of Credit Union ONE, and fully expect that the recipients will use their many talents to advance the vibrant intellectual and community life at The Honors College.”

“It is an honor for Credit Union ONE to award these fine and deserving students with scholarships. They symbolize our commitment to Oakland University, its students and the entire Oakland University community,” said Gary Moody, Credit Union ONE president and chief executive officer.

Established in 1977, The Honors College curriculum is designed for highly motivated students who desire academic rigor and wish to be part of a diverse community that values creativity, intellectual stimulation, and social responsibility. Small classes – typically 10 to 20 students – allow for fruitful interaction between professors and students and encourage independent thought. Further information can be found at www.oakland.edu/hc.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with eighteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to cuone.org or "like us" on Facebook

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org

Monday, August 13, 2012

Credit Union ONE is giving away money!

 




Lucky Money Giveaway winners
 Dan Zalewski & Marisela Bobo










Ferndale, Michigan – Have you ever gotten more than you asked for at an ATM? Well, if you visited the Credit Union ONE Grand Rapids branch in July and used their ATM that might have happened to you.

This past month, those using the machine located at 1609 Walker NW in Grand Rapids may randomly have received a $50 bill instead of a $20 bill in their transaction. Approximately $2,000 was given out to lucky recipients.

The promotion which ran from July 10th through July 31st was designed to create awareness of the ATM and branch location, support the current branch efforts, and to show member appreciation.

And speaking of appreciation, according to Credit Union ONE Grand Rapids Branch Manager Sharon Blower, “It was wonderful that so many people came in concerned that they received too much money, but when they realized the additional money was theirs to keep as a thank you for their patronage, they were very excited!”

Promotional marketing efforts included email blasts to Grand Rapids Branch members, online banking notifications, flyers that were posted in the branch and on the ATM, as well as Facebook postings during the month of July.

During the event, a couple of winners volunteered for a photo, which were posted on Facebook generating some good conversation. Some of the comments included questions regarding whether we were going to do this in other locations and when.

Although no other promotions like this have been scheduled, Credit Union ONE is looking at scheduled more “Money Give-Aways” in the future.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with eighteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to cuone.org or "like us" on Facebook

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Credit Union ONE celebrates five years assisting City of Berkley in Woodward Dream Cruise efforts

Pictured (L to R), Berkley Police Deputy Chief Robert North, Alliance
Mobile Health Operations Supervisor Brandon Cross, Credit Union ONE
Executive Director of Community Relations John Kozich, and Credit Union
ONE Berkley  Branch Manager Danny Blevins
Ferndale, Michigan – For the fifth consecutive year, Credit Union ONE is once again partnering with The City of Berkley for the 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday, August 18, 2012.

Credit Union ONE is donating the use of their property located on Woodward Avenue in Berkley, to be used by the Berkley Public Safety Department with a portion of the property to be used by Alliance Mobile Health as the only first aid station located directly on Woodward Avenue.

“Thanks to the continued support from Credit Union ONE, we at Alliance Mobile Health are able to provide the best possible service for the participants and spectators of the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, said Brandon Cross, Alliance Mobile Health Operations Supervisor.”

City of Berkley Deputy Police Chief Robert North said, “We appreciate Credit Union ONE for their commitment to the community and their generous offer to use their property which assists us in providing quality public safety for the cruise.”

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with eighteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to cuone.org or "like us" on Facebook

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org


Credit Union ONE goes Hollywood

Ferndale, Michigan – Announced just recently, Credit Union ONE is breaking into Hollywood with their newly launched Platinum MasterCard® Debit Card video and all the great benefits that it offers.

Starring the Financial Whiz Kids, the video takes place in a mock news station with the Kids talking about the benefits of using the card, while demonstrating how it works.

Some of the outtakes include: Have you ever had smoke coming from your TV? Watch our video today and see how our Platinum MasterCard® Debit Card can help you out if that ever happens to you, and Our Financial Whiz Kids bring you the skinny on the benefits of the Platinum MasterCard® Debit Card in our new video. Check it out!

Many consumers are visual learners and videos provide a great communication channel. Credit Union ONE is using the same promotion on Facebook and the Credit Union ONE website, and the video enhances and ties all of these promotional efforts together.

Lights…camera…action! Check out this fun video on the benefits of our Platinum MasterCard® Debit Card…and don’t forget the popcorn. Just go to facebook and click on the “videos” tab.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for over seventy years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 28,000 ATM’s nationwide, serving 106,000 members, with eighteen offices in three major metropolitan areas, including Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. For more information go to cuone.org or "like us" on Facebook

Contact Judi Desilets, Director of Public Relations for Credit Union ONE, 248-584-5224, Judi_Desilets@cuone.org