What's New

Shared Branching Returns to Bakersfield, California with Vons Credit Union

Rozana Audisho — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:54:53 GMT

For Immediate Release:
Contact:

Rozana Audisho, Public Relations Manager

Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC)

(888) 372-2669 ext. 1233
raudisho@fscc.com

Donna Young, EVP/COO

Vons Employees Federal Credit Union

626-444-1972 ext. 201

dyoung@vonscu.com

Shared Branching Returns to Bakersfield, California with Vons Credit Union
New location will serve thousands of shared branch members

San Dimas, Calif.—(November 5, 2009)—The town of Bakersfield, California has a new financial hot spot to serve its thousands of credit union members who don’t have access to local branches. The new hot spot is a self-service kiosk located inside the Vons store at 5700 Stockdale Highway in Bakersfield. The kiosk provides multiple credit union services, much like those available at a regular branch. Vons Employees Federal Credit Union (VEFCU) operates and manages the kiosk, while Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc (FSCC) provides the shared branching platform. The kiosk comes to the rescue of thousands of credit union members in the Bakersfield area, who as of recently, did not have access to their accounts within close proximity of their homes.

According to FSCC and Vons Credit Union officials, the presence of the new kiosk is crucial as some financial institutions have been forced to close their shared branches due to changes in the economy. Once credit union shared access was unavailable in the Bakersfield area, FSCC and Vons Employees Federal Credit Union took measures to provide a kiosk to continue serving not only their own members, but also members belonging to other credit unions from around California and the rest of the U.S. Officials also said that they expect to see significant member usage in that area where they anticipate over 8,000 transactions a month.

“When the only Shared Branching credit union in the Bakersfield area closed its doors, it left our own credit union members as well as members of other credit unions without a place to perform transactions,” states Donna Young, Executive Vice President/COO, Vons Employees Federal Credit Union. “We decided it was up to us to work with FSCC to provide a solution.”

The kiosk provides Shared Branching services through Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC) an international Shared Branching network providing over 6,200 access points across the country and in five foreign countries. Shared Branching is a network of credit unions who share their locations with others for the purpose of providing convenience through additional locations and expanded hours for their members. Bakersfield is home to thousands of credit union members who have access to Shared Branching services.

“We are so thrilled that Vons Employees Federal Credit Union has launched this new Shared Branching location in Bakersfield and we are excited to work with them on this incredible opportunity to serve credit union members in their time of need,” notes Sarah Canepa Bang, President/CEO, FSCC. “This demonstrates the power of credit union cooperation.”

Ms. Bang also points to the fact that regardless of where they work or live, many members keep their accounts and money in their primary financial institution within the credit union community; however they may not have a branch(s) close to home. She also said that this is where Shared Branching comes in and serves as a convenient service as well as a safety net for credit unions and their members nationwide.

Ms. Young adds, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to not only bring this kiosk to credit union members, but to be able to put it inside one of our sponsor company’s stores is just awesome. We encourage Shared Branching members to give it a try – the entire front end management team at the Vons Store is trained and ready to assist members on the new kiosk.”

About Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC)
FSCC is the nation’s largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branching Network providing nearly 6,200 full service deposit-taking locations in the U.S. and five foreign countries. FSCC’s innovative use of technology allows it to offer 24/7 access for financial services at more than 2,200 7-Eleven® Vcom® Units. FSCC credit unions represent $141 billion in assets. Since 1999, FSCC has returned over $14 million to its members through patronage dividends, rebates and return of capital. For more information, please visit www.fscc.com or call 888-372-2669 ext. 1235.

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Fourteen Puerto Rican Credit Unions Join FSCC Shared Branching Network

Rozana Audisho — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:27:49 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Sarah Canepa Bang
President/Chief Executive Officer, FSCC
(888) 372-2669 ext 1205
sarahcbang@fscc.com

Fourteen Puerto Rican Credit Unions Join FSCC Shared Branching Network

San Dimas, Calif.,—(October 21, 2009)— Fourteen Puerto Rican credit unions are celebrating a milestone this week as they begin participating in Shared Branching through Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC), the nation’s largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branching network. This addition represents the first shared branching partnership with credit unions headquartered in Puerto Rico in the CU Service Centers Network®.

Participating credit unions or cooperativas de ahorro y credito, as they are called in Spanish, include Abraham Rosa/Arcoop, Aguas Buenas/BUENACOOP, Aiboniteña/BoniCoop, Caribe Federal Credit Union, CooPACA, Guaynabo, Jesús Obrero, Las Piedras, Naguabeña, Padre McDonald, Quebradillas, Rincón, Rodríguez Hidalgo, and Saulo D Rodriguez/Guracoop.

The Puerto Rican credit unions together form the organization, Circuito Cooperativo Inc., which has been organized as the first cooperative corporation in Puerto Rico. The primary goal of Circuito Cooperativo Inc. is the unification of the marketing efforts behind shared branching in Puerto Rico. New cooperatives in Puerto Rico interested in offering shared branching services through FSCC may contact Circuito Cooperativo Inc. by visiting www.circuito.coop.

According to Katherine De La Cruz, President of the Board of Directors of Circuito Cooperativo, she along with other credit union officials in Puerto Rico have been anticipating the launch of shared branching services, “Our relationship with FSCC is exciting as together we have been working hard to bring shared branching to Puerto Rico. I am very proud to launch these services and reap the benefits that FSCC’s shared branching services will provide to Puerto Rican credit unions in the network. With so many advantages, shared branching is a significant tool for us to continue to grow our membership as well as services to meet our members’ needs.”

Helvetia del Caribe, a credit union data processor, is in partnership with FSCC to launch the services in Puerto Rico. Helvetia del Caribe is providing the shared branching software and equipment to enable the credit unions to provide shared branching services.

“We are grateful to work with Circuito Cooperativo Inc. and Helvetia del Caribe. Their commitment to cooperation and innovative support tools are helping multiple Puerto Rican credit unions gain access to shared branching,” says Sarah Canepa Bang, President/CEO, FSCC. Due to this exclusive partnership, we expect the participation of Puerto Rican credit unions to continue to grow.”

These fourteen credit unions will add 36 branches for members to access in Puerto Rico. They will join Baxter Credit Union of Vernon Hills, Illinois, who has a branch already operating as an Outlet in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

“The participation in Puerto Rico is a demonstration of cooperation and trust. This is significant as we think back on the celebration of International Credit Union Day on October 15th. We are not only working cooperatively to provide access to credit union members, but also this signifies the credit unions’ support for The Movement, for each other, and most importantly for their members,” adds Ms. Bang.

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FSCC SHARED BRANCHING NETWORK CONTINUES TO EXPAND IN THE MIDWEST

Rozana Audisho — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:37:48 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Rozana Audisho

Public Relations Manager, FSCC

(888) 372-2669 ext 1233

raudisho@fscc.com

FSCC Shared Branching network Continues to Expand in the Midwest

San Dimas, Calif.—(September 2, 2009)— Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC), the nation's largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branching Network, today announced that three Midwest credit unions have joined the FSCC Shared Branching Network.

NorthStar Credit Union in Warrenville, Illinois, HarborLight Credit Union in Whitehall, Michigan, and Sun Federal Credit Union in Maumee, Ohio will be providing their credit union members over 6,000 locations nationwide.

According to NorthStar Credit Union officials, “Shared Branching will be a huge benefit for our members and our credit union. Through the FSCC Network, our members have the convenience to conduct financial transactions with branch access nationwide at no extra cost to them,” said Lloyd Fredendall, President/CEO, NorthStar Credit Union. “With the technology and cooperative nature of Shared Branching, we feel it is an excellent way for credit unions to join together and to compete with the large branch structures of regional and nationally based financial institutions. We are excited to offer this new benefit and it’s convenience to our existing member-owners with hope that it will also help others”.

Linda Wood CEO at HarborLight Credit Union was looking to give her members more choices and flexibility. “Our members demand more financial services and FSCC’s Shared Branching product is conducive to our strategy and long-term goals. We are also creating avenues for younger members to utilize credit unions by offering more cutting-edge services. FSCC has the integration tools to implement technology solutions, thus allowing us to innovate rapidly and economically.”

Sun Federal Credit Union is the first Ohio credit union to join FSCC’s Shared Branching Network. Officials at the credit union believe that this will advance member service in a major way. “Our members have been telling us that they wished we were more convenient to them and now we are. We have members

living in 48 different states and we only had 10 branches across three states. Shared Branching has expanded our locations by more than 6,000 nationwide,” explained Gary Moritz, President and CEO of Sun Federal Credit Union.

“We are thrilled to provide Shared Branching services to NorthStar Credit Union, HarborLight Credit Union, and Sun Federal Credit Union. Credit unions in the Midwest represent a good number of Shared Branching access points and it continues to grow,” explained Sarah Canepa Bang, President/CEO, FSCC. “We continue to serve Midwest credit unions by not only expanding locations, but also offering innovative services that attract a multigenerational group of consumers.”

“Members who travel, move, retire and who are on the go need access to their money anytime, anywhere. FSCC is providing those flexible delivery channels and helping credit unions become the most convenient financial institutions in the country,” adds Ms. Bang.

About Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC)

FSCC is the nation's largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branching Network providing nearly 6,000 full service deposit-taking locations in the U.S. and five foreign countries. FSCC's innovative use of technology allows it to offer 24/7 access for financial services at more than 2,200 7-Eleven® Vcom® Units. FSCC credit unions represent $141 billion in assets. Since 1999, FSCC has returned over $14 million to its members through patronage dividends, rebates and return of capital. For more information, please visit www.fscc.com or call 888-372-2669 ext. 1235.

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FSCC SHARED BRANCHING NETWORK EXPANDS IN THE BOSTON AREA

Rozana Audisho — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:59:13 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Rozana Audisho

Public Relations Manager, FSCC

(888) 372-2669 ext 1233

raudisho@fscc.com

FSCC Shared Branching Network Expands in the Boston Area

Cost-effectiveness sited as a primary factor in the decision making process

San Dimas, Calif.,—(August 17, 2009)—Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC), the nation's largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branching Network, today announced Boston Firefighters Credit Union in Dorchester, Massachusetts has signed with FSCC Shared Branching Network to provide its members over 6,000 access points across the country.

“The value that Shared Branching demonstrates is the cost-effectiveness of the investment. This allows us to offer a level of convenience for our members that we could not possibly afford to create as an individual credit union,” said Bernie Winne, CEO of Boston Firefighters Credit Union. “More importantly Shared Branching will allow Boston Firefighters Credit Union to offer the convenient access typically found with the largest financial institutions in the country, while simultaneously providing the type of business continuity plan necessary for coping with any disaster or disruption at our core location.”

FSCC officials say that participation in Shared Branching continues to grow on the East Coast as well as the rest of the country. “We are so pleased to have Boston Firefighters Credit Union on the network,” says Sarah Canepa Bang, President/CEO, FSCC. “Credit unions continue to utilize Shared Branching as a strategic tool to provide access for members. The current economy is forcing financial institutions, to explore new ways to save money. Fortunately for credit unions, Shared Branching is a tested tool that can help them save money while expanding convenience.”

About Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC)

FSCC is the nation's largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branching Network providing over 6,000 full service deposit-taking locations in the U.S. and five foreign countries. FSCC's innovative use of technology allows it to offer 24/7 access for financial services at more than 2,200 7-Eleven® Vcom® Units. FSCC credit unions represent $141 billion in assets. Since 1999, FSCC has returned over $14 million to its members through patronage dividends, rebates and return of capital. For more information, please visit www.fscc.com or call 888-372-2669 ext. 1235.

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POWERFUL NEW CU SERVICE CENTERS® LOCATOR RELEASED TODAY

Nathan Rogers — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:35:16 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Rozana Audisho Public Relations Manager, FSCC (888) 372-2669 ext 1233 raudisho@fscc.com

POWERFUL NEW CU SERVICE CENTERS® LOCATOR RELEASED TODAY

Credit Union members now have a more engaging user experience on CUSWIRL.com

San Dimas, Calif.—(July 16, 2009)—Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC), the nation’s largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branching network, today launched the new and improved CUSWIRL.com with advanced features such as email alerts and GPS downloads. The comprehensive site offers members the nearest CU Service Centers® including 7-Eleven® Shared Branching locations coast to coast. ”Using Web 2.0 technology, we have launched a site that accommodates the growing expectations of tech savvy members, while at the same time, keeping the user experience simple and efficient, ” comments Sarah Canepa Bang, President/CEO, FSCC. “And credit unions that would like to integrate the CUSWIRL.com shared branch locator with their ATM locator may do so easily using our CIMple™ Locator powered by LocatorSearch.”

Powerful new features on CUSWIRL.com include GPS downloads, integrated driving directions, interactive maps, and much more. Members may sign up for email alerts about new CU Service Centers locations in their area and a newsletter that will provide financial tips, coupons, and more. Members also have the option to follow CU Service Centers updates on Twitter where new features and locations will be posted. “This locator site was created with members in mind. We took the time to develop a site that visually and functionally matched what members have come to demand from services like those offered on CUSWIRL.com. Members will enjoy the quick and easy functionality found on this site as well as its user-friendly tools for searches and directions to nearby locations,” says Nathan Rogers, VP Marketing, FSCC.

According to FSCC, CUSWIRL.com is the only site that offers members the ability to search over 6,000 Shared Branching access points worldwide. “Whether it’s traditional branches, self-service kiosks, or the 2,200 7-Eleven® stores, CUSWIRL.com is the only site to provide members with the ability to search all of the over 6,000 CU Service Centers locations in the network. That’s huge for credit unions looking to maximize their investment in Shared Branching and truly compete with the largest of banks in terms of member convenience,” adds Mr. Rogers. Any credit union offering members access to the CU Service Centers network may link to CUSWIRL.com.

FSCC has chosen LocatorSearch, a leading credit union technology provider, to partner with in development of this new solution. Credit unions can add a customized locator to their websites that incorporates both branch and ATM locations using FSCC’s latest product, CIMple™ Locator powered by LocatorSearch. Additional information can be found at www.getcimple.com/products.

For more information about the new CUSWIRL.com site or the CIMple® Locator service, please contact Nathan Rogers, VP Marketing at (888) 372-2669 ext 1232, nrogers@fscc.com.

About Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc. (FSCC) FSCC is the nation's largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branching Network providing over 6,000 full service deposit-taking locations in the U.S. and five foreign countries. FSCC's innovative use of technology allows it to offer 24/7 access for financial services at more than 2,200 7-Eleven® Vcom® Units. FSCC credit unions represent $141 billion in assets. Since 1999, FSCC has returned over $14 million to its members through patronage dividends, rebates and return of capital. For more information, please visit www.fscc.com or call 888-372-2669 ext. 1235.