Project Differentiation
Arizona CU's Statement of Commitment to Members
The Arizona Media Credit Union's sole purpose is to serve the financial needs of our members. As a member-owned, not- for-profit financial cooperative, the Arizona Media Credit Union's commitment is to our members. We will uphold our fundamental responsibility to actively serve people within our field of membership. We will treat all members with respect and dignity and we will offer honest, fair opportunities to all members. We will continue to deliver a range of low cost products and services to the diverse economic and social make-up of our members and potential members. We will look for better ways to serve the interests of underserved portions of our membership and potential member base.
We will continue to monitor and communicate our services to members in a meaningful way so that members, potential members, legislators, regulators, and the community at large will understand and appreciate the unique role that member- owned financial cooperatives play in their lives.
Throughout Arizona Media Credit Union's strategic plan, we will continue to put forth every effort to enable our members to become financially self-sufficient and successful. We will continue to place high importance on consumer education and the teaching of financial thrift.
The Statement of Commitment to Members and Society is consistent with our credit union principles of "Not For Profit, Not for Charity, But For Service" and "People Helping People". These statements represent good business practices that ensure the financial strength of our credit union on behalf of our members.
Section I - Services to Members
Arizona Media Credit Union strives to offer a wide range of services designed to improve the economic and social well being of our members.
Current Services:
| 1. Savings Account 2. Money Market Account 3. Checking Accounts 4. Customized Savings Accounts 5. Christmas Club 6. CDs 7. IRAs 8. Share IRA's 9. Teen Checking 10. Looney Tunes Kids Club 11. ATMs 12. Drive Through Window 13. Overdraft Protection 14. Discount Legal Services 15. Visa Credit Cards 16. Visa Check Cards 17. Internet Home Banking 18. Touch Tone Teller 19. Discount movie tickets 20. Share Secured Credit Cards 21. CAP Insurance 22. Life Insurance |
23. CUNA's Home & Family Online Magazine 24. Eight Online Calculators 25. Direct Deposit 26. Payroll Deduction 27. Money Orders 28. Travelers Checks 29. Wire Transfers 30. Financial Planning Services 31. Loans 32. Member's Quote 33. Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance 34. GAP Protection 35. Mortgage Loans 36. Credit Life Payment Protection 37. Credit Disability Payment Protection 38. Discount California vacation packages 39. Promotional offers 40. Vehicle Service contracts 41. Deposits at ATMs 42. Web site 43. Online check reorders 44. CUNA's Googolplex for kids 45. Online Loan Application & Approval |
New Programs Planned:
1. Arizona Media Credit Union will investigate alternative ways to decrease loan process time and increase
productivity.
2. Arizona Media Credit Union is dedicated to develop products/services that will serve the needs of our members. We
will research such items as:
a. Additional Night Deposits b. Home Equity Lines of Credit with credit card attached for easier advances c. Senior Citizens Account d. Teen Accounts and financial planning for teens e. Online Bill Payment and Presentment f. Money Market Checking Account g. Additional On-line Services
Section II - Member Education
Arizona Media Credit Union is committed to educating our members about the benefits of our products and services in addition to providing education about other financial issues.
Current Programs:
1. Newsletter Articles. Arizona Media Credit Union's quarterly newsletter, SHARES, contains valuable educational articles informing members of our current promotions, our products/services, and our uniqueness and philosophy.2. Financial Seminars. Arizona Media Credit Union works in conjunction with Arizona Financial Service Group to offer our members seminars on financial planning.
3. Website. Arizona Media Credit Union's website offers members convenience and information on the credit union's products and services, valuable links to other services, financial calculators, and the ability for members to access their accounts.
4. Teen Checking Package. As part of this program, Arizona Media Credit Union offers to assist educating teenagers on establishing good financial habits.
5. New Member Orientation. Arizona Media Credit Union conducts orientations at our core sponsor, Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. and SEGs. These orientations emphasize the Credit Union's uniqueness and our products and services.
6. Annual Meeting. At Arizona Media Credit Union's annual meeting we provide members with information on the current activities of the credit union, Bylaw changes, and present outstanding employee and volunteer awards designated by members.
7. Member Packets. Arizona Media Credit Union provides new members a packet of information on the credit union and our products and services.
8. Brochures and Displays. Brochures outlining our products and services are located in branch lobbies. Displays are designed to provide information to our members on current promotions.
9. Notices on Statements. Informational messages about products, services, and credit union activities are included on member statements.
10. Member Surveys. Arizona Media Credit Union sends out surveys to new members and members that received a loan. These surveys include additional information on products and services as well as ask for comments on how well we do. Other periodic surveys are sent to receive information on what our members needs are.
11. Statement Stuffers. Arizona Media Credit Union provides periodic statement stuffers informing our members on products, services, and current promotions.
12. Employee Education. Arizona Media Credit Union will continue developing programs to help employees distinguish cross selling opportunities and better member service.
New Programs Planned:
1. Phone System. Research is being conducted to improve our current phone system to give members more information
while on hold and automatic options while on hold. (Completed August 2000)
2. Member Educational Classes. Arizona Media Credit Union will investigate the possibility of offering our
members budget, credit counseling, and checking account classes to members of all age groups.
Section III - Involvement/Governance
Arizona Media Credit Union will continue to preserve the democratic principles of credit unions including demographic representation and volunteer participation in the organization.
Current Programs that Support Involvement/Governance:
1. Annual Meeting. The entire membership is invited to our Annual Meeting where elections are held for available
seats on the Board of Directors. The membership ratifies and discusses any Credit Union Bylaw changes and other
activities.
2. Nominations. We actively seek volunteers from our membership to serve on the Board and other committees.
3. Supervisory Committee. We recruit members to serve on our Supervisory Committee. The Chairperson attends all
board meetings. The entire committee is actively involved to reviewing credit union policies and procedures.
4. Member Advisory Board. We recruit members to serve on our Member Advisory Board who represent the membership
and who provide valuable feedback on products and services that meet the needs of our members.
5. Legal and Legislative Committee. Arizona Media Credit Union's President/COO and President/CFO serve on ACUL's
Legal and Legislative committee. The committee gains visibility to governmental issues and brings the credit union message
to legislators. Both presidents also participate in the Key Contact Program.
6. Member Surveys. Arizona Media Credit Union periodically surveys the membership for feed back about the credit
union, its products, and its services and to ensure that Arizona Media Credit Union is delivering superior and relevant
products and services.
New Programs Planned:
1. Volunteer Representation. We will increase exposure and participation within our select employer groups.
2. Annual Meeting Participation. We will look into other means of informing members of the Annual Meeting and
increase participation.
3. Board Participation. We will explore the possibility of having a board member at each office periodically to
meet with members in person.
Section IV - Diversity
Arizona Media Credit Union operates as a democratically controlled, member-owned cooperative by focusing management, staff, and volunteers on diversity in the leadership and staff of the credit union.
Current Programs that Promote Diversity:
1. Employee Selection. Arizona Media Credit Union maintains an open selection process for volunteers and
employees without regard to race, color, religion or sex. With regard to employment, the Credit Union refers our employment
opportunities to the State of Arizona Department of Employment Security.
2. Volunteer Program. The Credit Union volunteers act as members of the Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee
and Member Advisory Board. Member volunteers are democratically elected to the Board of Directors. Member volunteers on the
Supervisory Committee and Member Advisory Board are appointed by the Board of Directors.
3. Member Sponsoring Member. In 1999, the Board of Directors approved a change to our Bylaws permitting existing
members to refer or sponsor an individual for membership without regard to financial status nor race, color, religion or
sex.
4. Equal Housing Lender. As an Equal Housing Lender, all members are treated equally without regard to race,
color, religion or sex.
5. Youth Accounts. The Credit Union has created special programs for younger members including the Looney Toons
program as well as a Teen Checking Account. By sponsoring Check Writing Classes, we are able to help our younger members
establish good financial habits.
New Programs Planned:
1. Hispanic Diversity Program. With the growing Hispanic population, companies in the media industry are
responding to this growth by directing their business development and services to this ethnic group. Arizona Media Credit
Union will explore providing bilingual member service representatives, forms and marketing materials.
2. Senior Program. As our current membership shifts to an older population, the Credit Union will develop a
program that will bring specific benefits to the members older than age 55. This may include discounts for specific
financial services or additional dividends on deposit accounts.
Section V - Commitment to the Credit Union Movement and other Cooperative Activities
Arizona Media Credit Union works to build and strengthen our unique credit union movement by providing financial and in- kind resources to others within the credit union and in other appropriate public forums.
Commitment to the Credit Union Movement and other Cooperative Activities:
1. Chapter Meetings and Functions. Arizona Media Credit Union takes an active role by attending meetings and
participating in chapter sponsored activities.
2. ACUL PAC. Arizona Media Credit Union supports and informs our membership of this political action committee
through newsletter articles and brochures in branch lobbies. Both our presidents are members of the ACUL-PAC Capital Club.
3. Legal and Legislative Committee. Arizona Media Credit Union's President/COO and President/CFO serve on ACUL's
Legislative committee. The committee gains visibility to governmental issues and brings the credit union message to
legislators. Both presidents also participate in the Key Contact Program.
4. GAC Conference. Arizona Media Credit Union representatives regularly attend this conference, which meets with
legislatures and congressmen to discuss credit union issues.
5. Contributions to CCCS, Credit Councils of America, Debt Management. The credit union supports and contributes to
these non-profit organizations that provide financial education and assistance on financial debt.
6. Shared ATM Program. Arizona Media Credit Union is part of the Member Access network, which allows our members
to make deposits at participating ATMs nation-wide.
New Programs Planned:
Shared Branches. Arizona Media Credit Union is exploring the benefits and the cost of partnering with other credit unions to allow each credit union's members' use of the other's already existing facilities.
Section VI - Public Service/Corporate Citizenship
Arizona Media Credit Union strives to be an active partner in the community and field of membership that will enhance both their economic and social well being. We recognize that practicing good corporate citizenship supports the Credit Union Philosophy of People Helping People.
Public Service/Citizenship:
1. Children's Miracle Network. Arizona Media Credit Union supports, contributes, and promotes Children's Miracle
Network by participating in Arizona Credit Union League and Valley of the Sun Chapter sponsored fundraising efforts.
2. Season for Sharing. The credit union contributes to our core sponsors' program Season for Sharing - an annual
holiday fund raising campaign. The program's focus is to educate readers about community issues and raise funds to address
those issues.
3. CCCS, Credit Councils of America, Debt Management. The credit union supports and contributes to these
organizations that provide financial education and assistance on financial debt. We have a cooperative agreement with CCCS
to regularly provide counseling services on-site at our Downtown office.
New Public Service Activities Planned:
Community Involvement. Arizona Media Credit Union will encourage and support staff volunteerism. We will inform our membership on community service activities through articles in our newsletter.
