Credit Union ONE honored for philanthropy

John Kozich, Credit Union ONE Executive Director of Community
Relations pictured with Lorne Greenwood, Chair of SCORE Detroit. 

Ferndale, Michigan – In the true spirit of the credit union philosophy “people helping people” Credit Union ONE was honored last week with the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce 2012 Philanthropy Award.

The Award was given based on the credit union’s generous donation of office space for SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). SCORE is a nonprofit organization with volunteers who help new generations of aspiring business owners make their dreams come true when starting or growing a business.

Because of Credit Union ONE, they were able to open a Small Business Counseling Center in Ferndale. The counseling center is located inside the office of the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce located at 407 E Nine Mile, Ferndale. SCORE counselors meet with an average of about seven to 10 small business owners each week. It is a benefit available for the Ferndale community and surrounding cities.

“This is a significant achievement and acknowledges our commitment to the community, said Gary Moody, president/ceo of Credit Union ONE. To be given an award for action that is for your community is special and is something we are all proud of.”

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 CEO Hosts “The ONE to Ask”

Ferndale, Michigan – Just over a year ago, in response to what their members were asking for, Credit Union ONE launched The ONE to Ask, a Facebook online chat for members to post questions and receive answers from subject experts – all in real time!

The “live sessions” have been held quarterly since June of 2011 for a two hour period in order to accommodate the number of questions received, with previous sessions including discussions on debt, new products, mortgage lending and auto loans. The session most recently held was hosted by the credit union’s President/CEO Gary Moody answering general Credit Union ONE informational inquiries.

An e-mail blast is sent to Credit Union ONE members and Facebook posts are issued to let fans know in advance that a session has been scheduled, and encouraging them to participate. The last session held on October 17th, showed new likes spiked by fifteen, directly attributable to the e-mail blast sent right before the session. Approximately ten questions were received during the session, with many fans posting to each other. The majority of questions fielded related to mobile apps, with fans thrilled to hear that the credit union plans to have one up and running in 2013.

Analytics have shown steady growth in popularity as the series has continued; not only have more fans been added, but the number of questions received each session has increased, and fans are interacting with each other regarding the questions that have been asked.

Katie Cummings, Senior Education Specialist, who also serves as social media point person with Credit Union ONE’s Marketing partner, Berline said, “We are pleased to see the continued participation and interest in this on-going event. This is a great opportunity for us to connect with our members and for them to have direct access to leaders within our organization.”

For those interested in learning more about the questions and answers of past sessions, readers are encouraged to check out the notes tab on the Credit Union ONE Facebook page, and stay tuned to the page for an announcement of the next session.

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 hosts Ferndale Community “Shred Day”

Credit Union ONE members/community stop to share a moment

as they shred their unwanted documents 

Ferndale, Michigan – When important information gets into the wrong hands it can be devastating for those affected.

In an effort to help their members and the community at large, Credit Union ONE recently held a document shredding day at their Ferndale Branch location. Approximately 150 people turned out on Saturday, October 27, 2012 to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud by shredding more than 5,000 pounds of confidential personal and business documents.

Documents containing information such as social security numbers, addresses, account information, financial records or personal data, can be stolen and used to open lines of credit, use existing credit cards or to falsify personal information. Shredding documents that contain private information can protect individuals and businesses from fraudulent use of confidential data.

“The shredding event was created to raise awareness about the risks of identity theft and fraud, and to provide a safe and convenient way to dispose of unneeded paperwork," said John Kozich, Executive Director of Community Relations for Credit Union ONE. "Credit Union ONE has plans to continue offering this service at various Credit Union ONE branches continuing into next year.

Kozich coordinated the three hour event, working closely with Shred Corp., the industry-leading company that donated their time and equipment to provide secure onsite shredding services. The shredded paper waste collected was taken away for recycling into paper towel.

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 honored nationally for social responsibility

Ferndale, Michigan – Credit Union ONE was pleasantly pleased when they were selected as a first place 2012 Dora Maxwell Award State of Michigan recipient, but finding out they were selected as a national first place winner was just the icing on the cake!!

The credit union will be honored during an awards ceremony at the Credit Union National Association Governmental Affairs Conference held in Washington, D.C. during the month of February 2013.

“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. Our commitment to our communities is obvious with the savings and loans we provide to our members. However, 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. Credit unions do amazing things in their communities. It is truly wonderful that Credit Union ONE’s efforts are considered the best in the nation.”

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.

This year 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.

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

It “Pays” to be a member of Credit Union ONE

Ferndale, Michigan – These days when everyone is trying to save and cut corners, it “Pays” to be a Credit Union ONE member.

In an effort to show appreciation for their Facebook fans and to engage them, Credit Union ONE recently launched a new Facebook contest, the Credit Union ONE Pays Your Way Sweepstakes.

The Sweepstakes paid off for 30 lucky fans of Credit Union ONE.

During the Sweepstakes period (August 13-September 24, 2012) fans who “liked” Credit Union ONE’s Facebook page received an entry form that once completed would enter them into the sweepstakes. Existing fans also had the opportunity to complete an entry form and enter to win.

There were seven drawings during this sweepstakes – five winners were randomly selected on each of the first two dates, and four winners were drawn on each of the remaining five dates. Winners received gift cards to Starbucks, Kroger, and Meijer stores, simply just for being a fan and entering the drawing!!

Winning fans were encouraged to post a photo of them using their gift card. An online photo album for the promotion was created to house the photos for display, in an effort to showcase the winners and highlighting them as fans.

Supporting analytics showed the promotion brought in 1,547 new fans to the page, with 11% of our fan base entering into the Sweepstakes, which is at the high end for reach of national brand pages.

According to Katie Cummings, Senior Education Specialist, and Credit Union ONE social media point person, “This promotion brought more comments and postings to our Facebook page than in any other promotion. We were very excited to see members of Credit Union ONE sharing their stories and interacting with the page.”

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