Born a century apart, U.S. credit unions and digital marketing would seem to have little in common. One was created here in New Hampshire in the shadow of 19th century textile mills; the other thrives in a borderless, high-tech, post-industrial world. Yet credit unions and digital marcom channels are converging in ways that we find very exciting at Creative Co-op.   Here are five reasons why.   It’s about service. “Not for profit, but for service” is...

With all the devices people carry, it’s hard to be certain that mobile consumers are seeing your website favorably on their diminutive screens. So how can you tell?   Google has a handy mobile test page that offers an instant thumbs-up or thumbs down, even simulating how your homepage looks on a smartphone screen. But if you’re still uncertain, these five attributes can help illustrate some of the basic principles that make a site mobile-friendly.   1. Easy Navigation...

A prospect phones your branch. A parent enters your lobby carrying a fussy toddler. A customer reaches into their mailbox. What happens next in these small, barely-noticed touchpoints can often define your bank or credit union every bit as much as a big-budget campaign. If you want to build loyalty and word of mouth, enhance your most frequent touchpoints with a little creativity. Here are a few real-life examples, courtesy of The Financial Brand: Anniversaries & Birthdays A...

Changing your brand is a major decision, whether you’re an established corporation or a small non-profit. At Creative Co-op, an important aspect of our work is helping clients look at that decision objectively. Do you really need to reinvent your organizational story from top to bottom, or would you be better off pursuing a brand evolution? This simple framework of four questions was created long ago by a top brand strategist for Fortune 500 companies throughout...

Credit union and bank brands are often stereotyped as staid and predictable. But with millennials ages 18-34 now making up the country’s largest living generation, financial institutions large and small are stepping outside their comfort zone to win the hearts and minds of 75 million consumers with $1.3 trillion to spend. Here are four trends to watch for: Omni-channel brands For millennials accustomed to Uber, Airbnb and Mint.com, automated self-service channels are an essential part of most...

Effective salespeople never forget their ABCs – “always be closing.” Similarly, these five Cs can help spell success online, paying off advertising and email campaigns with a high-powered landing page that turns interest into action.