Friday, March 29, 2013

Credit Union ONE “Gets” Recognition

(L to R) Ayren Hurst and Katie Cummings of Credit Union ONE
Ferndale, Michigan – Just recently Credit Union ONE had the opportunity to participate in the American Society of Employers (ASE) Annual Conference, People, Profit, Progress held on March 14th.

Ayren Hurst, Director of Knowledge Management and Katie Cummings, Senior Education Specialist at Credit Union ONE along with Monica Remark, Sr. Client Success Associate at Achievers spoke to the audience about building a culture of recognition using technology and social media.


To say that Credit Union ONE “gets” recognition, is putting it mildly, as they pretty much have become experts in the field. Partnering with Achievers, an industry leader in recognition and rewards, they developed and implemented a rewards and recognition program for their organization that in less than one year has had amazing results.

The program, called Kudos Corner, had over 1, 200 recognitions sent in the first two weeks, and after eight months, 99% of the organization have participated in the program, with an average of thirty-one recognitions per employee received.

“We’ve become very proud of our Rewards and Recognition Program that we built with Achievers and it was really great to showcase it to others in the industry,” said Ayren Hurst, Credit Union ONE Director of Knowledge Management.

As a reference for organizations questioning as to the merits of a program such as Kudos Corner, statistics have shown that employees who receive recognition for their work are seven times more likely to stay and eleven times more likely to feel completely committed.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for seventy-five years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 30,000 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, March 28, 2013

Knowing CU History Pays!

Ferndale, Michigan – Credit Union ONE has found a very creative way to engage their Facebook fans and take the opportunity to celebrate their 75th Anniversary at the same time.

As they kicked off their 75th Year, Credit Union ONE launched the Mystery History Hunt. From February 25th through March 15th fans of the Credit Union ONE Facebook page were able to hunt for answers to posted clues relating to the 75 year history of the credit union. Clues were posted three times a week, and those who successfully submitted their answers were entered into a drawing for gift cards, valued at up to $60 each. One winner was selected for each clue, for a total of nine possible winners

Some of the winners posted how happy they were to be chosen as winners and how they planned to use their gift cards.

Post statistics show that this promotion was well received, with 115 new fans joining and 142 entries received. Three fans even submitted answers to all nine clues!

Congratulations to all the Mystery History Winners, and thanks for being our Facebook Fans!

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for seventy-five years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 30,000 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 . New Contest beginning on April 1st, so join us, you could be the next winner!

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

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Credit Union ONE Applauds Federal Support for Local Firefighters

Ferndale, Michigan – Credit Union ONE is happy to be one of the first to jump on the bandwagon and applaud federal support for local firefighters.

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin made the announcement of federal support for the Sterling Heights Fire Department to help improve operations and safety.

Senator Stabenow said, "Across Michigan, our firefighters provide critical, courageous service to communities like Sterling Heights. This grant provides the resources they need to perform their duties safely and protect the public."

Senator Levin said, "If we want to depend on our first responders to be there when emergency strikes, they must be able to depend on us for the support they need. This grant will provide that support, and help keep Michiganians safe."

The department will receive a $232,548 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This competitive grant will help fund professional training and wellness programs, update equipment and facilities, and provide new supplies to help first-responders handle hazards efficiently and effectively.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for seventy-five years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 30,000 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 Members Urged to Help Protect Future of Credit Unions

Ferndale, Michigan – Credit Union ONE, a Michigan credit union for seventy-five years has urged their members to reach out to their federal lawmakers to help protect the future of credit unions.

In 1937 congress granted credit unions federal tax-exempt status because of their cooperative member owned structure and have reaffirmed this status many times over the course of years.

Credit unions are member-owned not-for-profit locally run financial cooperatives. They care about and invest in their members and the communities they serve. This is evidenced by the fact that credit unions continue to serve their communities and lend money when other financial institutions will not.

However, the banking industry wants to eliminate this exemption to benefit their own industry.

Members are encouraged to contact their lawmakers by clicking here to ask for their support in protecting and preserving the future of credit unions.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for seventy-five years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 30,000 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

Friday, March 15, 2013

Children Learn to Save at Credit Union ONE

Ferndale, Michigan – Knowing how important it is to start teaching children about money from an early age, Credit Union ONE has debuted the Saving Is Fun Kids Club, a youth account geared to children eleven years and younger.

With an easy sign-up for new or existing memberships, children will join club mascots, the Money Mammals to learn about saving and spending, while earning prizes and incentive rewards, playing games, and watching their money grow.

A special website, cuone.org/youth has been designed especially for “club members” with fun activities, contests, promotions and discounts. The site also has tools for parents and teachers to help these young members along the way.

“Children need to be educated on financial basics as they go through life, and a youth account is a great way to expose them to this education in a fun, interactive way, said Swami Seetharaman, Credit Union ONE Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. We are excited to be able to offer this to our youngest members.”

For more information on the Saving Is Fun Kids Club, click here, or ask a member sales consultant at any Credit Union ONE branch.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for seventy-five years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 30,000 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

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Credit Union ONE presented with National Dora Maxwell Award

(L to R) Susan Streifel, CUNA Awards Committee Chairperson
presents 2012 National Dora Maxwell First Place Award to
David Haight, Credit Union ONE Vice President of Risk
Management
Ferndale, Michigan – Credit Union ONE was presented with the 2012 National Dora Maxwell First Place Award on February 20, 2013 at a special ceremony during the 2013 Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award was created in 1987 and recognizes credit unions for the activities they coordinate that benefit the community or a specific charity. This award promotes social responsibility and action to support organizations not related to membership.

Credit Union ONE submitted an entry for their service to assist one of their community partners, FernCare. FernCare is a local, non-profit organization that provides health care services to the uninsured/underinsured. FernCare was faced with the lack of a permanent facility from which to serve its patients. Credit Union ONE became aware of this issue, and donated the use of an office building and equipment to FernCare to use for its free medical clinic. The donation resulted in FernCare reducing its’ operating expenses and created a permanent and expanded operations base from which it could provide critically needed medical care.

“This is a significant achievement and acknowledges that we are more than just a financial institution, said Gary Moody, president/ceo of Credit Union ONE. To be given an award for action that is not for your members but for uninsured residents of your community is special and is something we are all proud of. We are honored that our efforts are considered the best in the nation.”

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for seventy-five years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 30,000 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, March 7, 2013

Give your credit the “Boost” it needs

Ferndale, Michigan – If you are a member that has had credit issues in the past, a student that needs to start building credit, or the parent of one of these students, Credit Union ONE has a great product for you!!

Just launched, the Smart Boost Credit Builder loan product will not only assist in re-building or establishing credit, it will also present an opportunity to save money.

Take a look online at the simple and easy qualifications and application process, stop by any of our branches, or give us a call to get started today!

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for seventy-five years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 30,000 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, March 4, 2013

Credit Union ONE Members – You Asked We Listened!!

Ferndale, Michigan – In response to feedback from their members, Credit Union ONE recently launched a new Member Contact Center (MCC) in order to provide a higher level of service to their members.

The MCC is staffed by a total of 21 Agents with specialized skills who either focus on service requests or new account requests. The goal of the MCC is to deliver first call resolution meaning members’ needs are met when they make their initial call eliminating the need to call back. The key to achieving first call resolution is empowerment.

“The empowerment of our staff to make decisions has a direct, positive impact on member service. In addition to enhancing the member service experience, empowerment also contributes to having satisfied and engaged employees,” says Stephen Grech – Executive Vice President.

With the availability to handle traditional calls, online chats, and emails, the early response from members has been extremely positive. In their first month of operation, the MCC received over 20,000 phone calls and approximately 2,800 emails and chats.

Agents are available Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and can be reached at 800-451-4292, by chat, or by email.

Credit Union ONE, headquartered in Ferndale Michigan for seventy-five years, offers a wide array of financial services and access to over 30,000 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