Real Solutions - A National Credit Union Foundation Program

This article is the eighth installment in a monthly series of interviews designed to provide REAL Solutions® League Liaisons and other league staff up-to-date strategies used by their peers to grow their REAL Solutions® efforts. This interview describes the efforts of the Michigan Credit Union League to enable several credit unions to join forces in order to offer a prize-linked savings product with a headline-grabbing grand prize, and to share in the costs of product development, marketing, legal, and ongoing administration. Please learn more from this interview with Stacy Dugan, CRI Coordinator for the Michigan Credit Union League, and Executive Director of the Michigan Credit Union Foundation. (read more...)

I love to go to league meetings. It is a chance to really connect to credit unions and see what they are thinking and what is working for them. Next week I will be right here in Orlando for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions Annual Convention. I spent many years working for credit unions in Florida and know many of the folks from here. So it is always good to catch up.

This article is the seventh installment in a monthly series of interviews designed to provide REAL Solutions® League Liaisons and other league staff up-to-date strategies used by their peers to grow their REAL Solutions® efforts. This interview describes the efforts of the Association of Vermont Credit Unions (AVCU) to implement a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor Training Program for credit union employees. Please learn more from this interview with John Cote, Director of Information Services – Association of Vermont Credit Unions.

The National Credit Union Foundation and the REAL Solutions Program is pleased to announce that 23 partnering leagues will receive over $230,000 in project grant funds from REAL Solutions in 2010. (read more)

This article is the sixth installment in a monthly series of interviews designed to provide REAL Solutions® League Liaisons and other league staff up-to-date strategies used by their peers to grow their REAL Solutions® efforts. This interview describes the efforts of the Credit Union League of Connecticut (CULCT)and the Connecticut Credit Union Solutions Foundation to develop and implement a Financial Reality Fair experience for high school students. Please learn more from this interview with Barbara Bass, CULCT’s Vice President—Education and Human Resource Development.

This article is the second installment in a monthly series of interviews designed to provide REAL Solutions®League Liaisons and other league staff up-to-date strategies used by their peers to grow their REAL Solutions® efforts. This interview highlights the efforts of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association (PCUA) to fast-track program implementation with an aggressive goal of 100 participating credit unions in their first year of offering the program. As of May 7, 2009 (prior to the introductory meetings) the Association has already received commitments from 50 credit unions. Please learn more from this interview with PCUA’s REAL Solutions® team of Mike Wishnow, Joe Wambach, John Kebles and Vicki Joyal.

This article is the fourth installment in a monthly series of interviews designed to provide REAL Solutions® League Liaisons and other league staff up-to-date strategies used by their peers to grow their REAL Solutions® efforts. This interview describes the efforts of the Montana Credit Unions for Community Development (MCUCD)and REAL Solutions credit unions to develop a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for Montana consumers. Please learn more from this interview with Jeanne Saarinen, MCUCD Executive Director, and Robert Coble, MCUCD VITA Program Manager.

This article is the third installment in a monthly series of interviews designed to provide REAL Solutions® League Liaisons and other league staff up-to-date strategies used by their peers to grow their REAL Solutions® efforts. This interview describes the efforts of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico (CUANM) to develop and host a REAL Solutions® outreach workshop for credit unions in New Mexico and Texas. Please learn more from this interview with Kathy Darwin, CUANM’s REAL Solutions® program coordinator.

This article is the fifth installment in a monthly series of interviews designed to provide REAL Solutions League Liaisons and other league staff up-to-date strategies used by their peers to grow their REAL Solutions efforts. This interview describes the efforts of the Wisconsin Credit Union League (WCUL) to grow the REAL Solutions® program through an aggressive approach to brand awareness and credit union participation. Please learn more from this interview with Christine Henzig, the Wisconsin League’s Director of Communications.

Ohio’s credit unions are celebrating 75 years of service this year. And the mission — of providing individuals, families, and entire communities with economic stability through the dignity of financial empowerment — remains the same as it was when credit unions were founded. This philosophy distinguishes Ohio’s 414 credit unions from other financial service providers and inspires loyalty from more than 2.6 million members.

“Our REAL Solutions credit unions continually comment to us that all the information they receive at our partner meetings and webinars is invaluable in evaluating and implementing programs to serve the low wealth community. In addition, they thoroughly enjoy meeting new people from around the state. The networking opportunities have helped establish new friendships and a tremendous support group.”