Product & Service Development

Research and development, as well as project management is shared among the group in order not to overload any one individual. This system provides accountability, improved organization, and efficiency in developing and launching of new products and services.

After a product or service has been identified as beneficial to the majority, a committee is appointed to research and develop, and to report back to the group. This process has been successful in introducing a variety of products and services at reduced costs in a relatively short period of time. A sampling includes:

Online Trading: CU Trade

It would be cost-prohibitive for most small to mid size credit unions to offer online trading to their members. However, by collaborating and using the negotiating power of the group, CUPS entered into a business relationship with CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS) and eVISION to provide 24/7 online investment/trading services.

Under the name “My CU Trade” the product was launched in February 2008, making online trading available to over 75,000 credit union members.

Business Lending

In conjunction with CenCorp Business Solutions, LLC (CBS) program, CUPS is able to make business lending a reality for participating credit unions. CBS focuses on providing a comprehensive member business loan underwriting services on an outsourced basis. Depending on the level of involvement required, additional functions such as loan application, document preparation, closings and on-going servicing/monitoring can be added.

The program includes:

· The expertise and infrastructure required to offer business loans

· Compliant, state of the art loan documentation

· Education and training for staff and Board of Directors

And while CBS performs a complete analysis of the application and makes a recommendation, the credit union makes the final decision and controls the rates and fees charged.

The cost of this type of program could be prohibitive to small and mid-size credit union without CUPS collaboration efforts.

SmartChoice Smart Choice

This program allows the partner credit unions to offer services to their business account members. Some of these include;

· Merchant credit card processing

· Remote deposit capture

· Lifestyle lending

· Computer/networking administration services

Accel

CU Partner Solutions has teamed up with Accel, a financial education and counseling program. Through this partnership credit union’s members have unlimited access to financial counselors without paying anything – it’s free!

Members can receive assistance with:

· Personal and family budgeting

· Understanding their personal credit report and how to improve their score

· Money management

· Debt repayment

· Avoiding bankruptcy, foreclosure and repossession.

Accel will provide personalized counseling and to member’s individual needs. Ranging from formulating a savings plan for future home purchase, to saving a home from foreclosure, advice is only a phone call away.

CU Partner Solutions has been able to negotiate a reasonable rate for CUSO members to take advantage of this great product at reduced pricing. This product alone can justify participating in the CUSO.

Marketing & Advertising

An agreement with Bennett Marketing Group, a local marketing and advertising firm specializing in credit unions, has reduced marketing expenses for the partner credit unions. The group determines what to promote and the cost of development, artwork and production is shared by those using the materials. This has resulted in the development of full campaigns including direct mail, statement inserts, newsletter articles, posters and web graphics, at significant reduced expense to the partners.

Discount Programs

Using the power of collaboration, CUPS has also negotiated reduced pricing for

CPA Services

Office Equipment and Supplies

Future Possibilities

As long as there is a willingness to share and collaborate with one another, there is no limit to the type of savings the CUPS credit unions can experience. We believe that by working together looking beyond individual needs, and working cooperatively will result in ongoing the future success of our credit unions.

Our planning meetings sessions net a multitude of ideas for the future. Our first job is to determine interest and feasibility. Some of these ideas on our horizon are:

· Facilitating planning sessions for individual credit unions;

· Compliance and Regulatory Efficiencies: Share expertise in policy development and compliance auditing;

· Health Care for Members-offering health care insurance for members that are under or un-insured;

· Share staff, expertise and process for common type functions: accounting, collections, etc.


Home Partnerships & Affiliate Memberships Board & Representative Involvement Networking Product & Service Development Employee Education Seminars Marketing & Advertising Online Trading Office Equipment & Supply Discounts Additional Services Possibilities for the Future Contact Us	Product & Service Development Research and development, as well as project management is shared among the group in order not to overload any one individual. This system provides accountability, improved organization, and efficiency in developing and launching of new products and services. After a product or service has been identified as beneficial to the majority, a committee is appointed to research and develop, and to report back to the group. This process has been successful in introducing a variety of products and services at reduced costs in a relatively short period of time. A sampling includes: Online Trading: CU Trade It would be cost-prohibitive for most small to mid size credit unions to offer online trading to their members. However, by collaborating and using the negotiating power of the group, CUPS entered into a business relationship with CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS) and eVISION to provide 24/7 online investment/trading services. Under the name “My CU Trade” the product was launched in February 2008, making online trading available to over 75,000 credit union members. Business Lending In conjunction with CenCorp Business Solutions, LLC (CBS) program, CUPS is able to make business lending a reality for participating credit unions. CBS focuses on providing a comprehensive member business loan underwriting services on an outsourced basis. Depending on the level of involvement required, additional functions such as loan application, document preparation, closings and on-going servicing/monitoring can be added. The program includes: · The expertise and infrastructure required to offer business loans · Compliant, state of the art loan documentation · Education and training for staff and Board of Directors And while CBS performs a complete analysis of the application and makes a recommendation, the credit union makes the final decision and controls the rates and fees charged. The cost of this type of program could be prohibitive to small and mid-size credit union without CUPS collaboration efforts. SmartChoice This program allows the partner credit unions to offer services to their business account members. Some of these include; · Merchant credit card processing · Remote deposit capture · Lifestyle lending · Computer/networking administration services Accel CU Partner Solutions has teamed up with Accel, a financial education and counseling program. Through this partnership credit union’s members have unlimited access to financial counselors without paying anything – it’s free! Members can receive assistance with: · Personal and family budgeting · Understanding their personal credit report and how to improve their score · Money management · Debt repayment · Avoiding bankruptcy, foreclosure and repossession. Accel will provide personalized counseling and to member’s individual needs. Ranging from formulating a savings plan for future home purchase, to saving a home from foreclosure, advice is only a phone call away. CU Partner Solutions has been able to negotiate a reasonable rate for CUSO members to take advantage of this great product at reduced pricing. This product alone can justify participating in the CUSO. Marketing & Advertising An agreement with Bennett Marketing Group, a local marketing and advertising firm specializing in credit unions, has reduced marketing expenses for the partner credit unions. The group determines what to promote and the cost of development, artwork and production is shared by those using the materials. This has resulted in the development of full campaigns including direct mail, statement inserts, newsletter articles, posters and web graphics, at significant reduced expense to the partners. Discount Programs Using the power of collaboration, CUPS has also negotiated reduced pricing for CPA Services Office Equipment and Supplies Future Possibilities As long as there is a willingness to share and collaborate with one another, there is no limit to the type of savings the CUPS credit unions can experience. We believe that by working together looking beyond individual needs, and working cooperatively will result in ongoing the future success of our credit unions. Our planning meetings sessions net a multitude of ideas for the future. Our first job is to determine interest and feasibility. Some of these ideas on our horizon are: · Facilitating planning sessions for individual credit unions; · Compliance and Regulatory Efficiencies: Share expertise in policy development and compliance auditing; · Health Care for Members-offering health care insurance for members that are under or un-insured; · Share staff, expertise and process for common type functions: accounting, collections, etc.
© 2008 Credit Union Partner Solutions. All Rights Reserved. INS - Credit Union Web Design - Novi, Michigan