Currency Marketing | CU Brand Blog

Welcome To North America's Premier Credit Union Marketing Agency

09/09/2009

Thing 9 of 30: proudly display and live the 7 cooperative principles

By Tim McAlpine

September is 30 things I would implement or consider implementing at my credit union if I was a credit union leader.

Thing 9: proudly display and live the 7 cooperative principles

While you may know that the credit union philosophy is rooted in the 7 cooperative principles that guide all cooperatives, does your staff know that? How about your members? There seems to be a glaring lack of communication about this fact in the credit union space.

If I were the leader of a credit union, I would follow Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union's lead and dedicate a section of our credit union's website to explaining the 7 cooperative principles. I have visited a lot of credit union websites and I have never seen such a great display of what credit unions should be all about.

Seattle Metropolitan has taken the these simple truths and turned them into a big differentiator, just by being the only credit union talking about this stuff! Not only is it real and authentic, it's a great marketing hook (I know, that's a sacrilegious thing to say).

I also really like how Seattle Metropolitan has customized the wording to make the principles even more relevant.

The 7 Cooperative Principles

Principle #1 (inclusive): membership should be open to all
Principle #2 (voice): members should call the shots
Principle #3 (benefit): rates and fees should benefit our members
Principle #4 (independent): autonomy and independence set us apart
Principle #5 (education): financial education should be free and available to all
Principle #6 (cooperation): cooperation among cooperatives is vital
Principle #7 (community): giving back to the community is an obligation

I'd also proudly display these principles in a unique way in every branch lobby and in all of the staff rooms. Seems like a no-brainer to me!

Kudos to Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union. Its marketing department does some great marketing and PR work. Check out these two example reported on by The Financial Brand, here and here.

Subscribe today + RSS + Blog by E-mail + E-newsletter + Follow me on Twitter

Comments

1) JG @ Sep 11, 2009
http://theaddisoncafe.org

Tim, it is ridiculous how much value you have provided me with through your blog and other online channels...all for free. You are the epitome of passion and generosity in the CU world. Thanks for all you do and share. If you are ever in the SF Bay and have time for a good cup of coffee and some conversation, it's on me.

Add a comment

BLOG SEARCH

SPEAKING

NCUF Real Solutions Conference
01-21-2010
Orlando, FL
+ Visit site

CUNA Business and Marketing Council Conference
03-23-2010
Washington, DC
+ Visit site

33rd Annual National Directors' Convention
08-06-2010
Las Vegas, NV
+ Visit site

Interested in having Tim McAlpine speak at your next credit union event?
+ Tim's profile (PDF)
+ Visit speaking page
+ Book Tim now!

*Name:
*E-mail:	(Will not display with comments)
Website:
Comments:
	Enter text shown in the image below:

Thing 9 of 30: proudly display and live the 7 cooperative principles

Thing 9: proudly display and live the 7 cooperative principles

Comments

Add a comment

BLOG SEARCH

BLOG CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

OUR WRITERS

FAVOURITE BLOGS

RECENT POSTS

OUR PODCASTS

SPEAKING

WORTH READING

SITE RANKING