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In the wake of the Wells Fargo scandal, many in our industry saw an opportunity for CUs to speak out about their commitment to members’ financial security.
When the news broke, “one of our CU clients turned to Facebook with the message, ‘Is your money safe? Bank local. Bank with our credit union,’” explains Marne Franklin, digital project manager for CUES Supplier member Your Marketing Company, Greenville, S.C. She explains how the CU more than doubled its audience reach with a mere $10 in “#SocialMedia #BestPractices.”
Could a similar scandal happen at a credit union? Possibly. But “credit unions may have a head start on maintaining a culture of compliance, given their mission to serve members by offering them the best products that serve their needs. If you’re committed to doing what’s best for members, ethical business practices naturally follow,” writes freelancer Karen Bankston in “Culture of Compliance.”
It’s not just members’ well-being that matters to credit union leaders. You also frequently turn your attention to employees by offering a wellness program. Does your credit union offer one?
I’m a member of CUES’ employee team tasked with bringing fun into the workplace. We plan regular bingo games, orchestrated via email, and host after-hours “cold ones in the café,” where employees pay a few dollars for a beer or a margarita and some snacks, with the money going to the Children’s Miracle Network. In 2017, we’re adding a wellness component as another way to get to know each other, while still having fun.
As the mom of a child with ADHD, I’ve read a lot about how movement and exercise can help children (with or without special needs) learn. It stands to reason that employees will benefit from movement breaks, too. In fact, many studies have shown that physical activity can increase worker productivity (http://tinyurl.com/MoveForProductivity). Two CUs that get this are Meritrust Credit Union, Wichita, Kans., and Texas Trust Credit Union, Arlington, Texas. Read more in “Bringing Healthy Back.”
While you’re taking an exercise break, why not check out the brand-new CUES Podcast? Each 10-15 minute episode tackles a topic of importance to credit union leaders. Listen to experts discuss strategy, culture, enterprise risk management, or business lending, just for starters.
What kind of wellness programs do you offer to employees? I’d love to hear your best practices and tips! I’m looking for new ideas for CUES’ team and for credit union success stories to share in our publications. Simply email me at theresa@cues.org.
P.S. Execu/Summit®, March 5-10 in Snowmass Village, Colo., is the perfect opportunity to test the movement/learning connection. Attendees take a mid-day break to ski!
Theresa Witham
Managing Editor/Publisher
