MADISON, Wis. – Credit unions can find out how to use telecommuting to expand business; extend customer service hours; save on building and operations costs; and improve employee recruitment, engagement, and retention in a new white paper from the CUNA Technology Council.

“Telecommuting in Today’s Environment” takes a look at the benefits and challenges of telecommuting and its function within a credit union. It also offers ideas and case studies to help credit unions with the top three challenges of telecommuting: 1) creating a seamless connection that mirrors what members would get if they contacted a branch or call center, 2) protecting sensitive member data, and 3) making remote employees feel a part of the credit union’s culture.

In addition to standard use, the paper includes several case studies describing how credit unions used telecommuting to continue business operations during natural disasters such as fires, ice storms, and hurricanes, and how it could prove similarly effective in the case of a pandemic.

“With the specter of a swine flu pandemic on the horizon, telecommuting can be the solution to continued credit union operations when staff members are stricken,” said Rudy Pereira, council chair and senior vice president of operations and technology at Alliant CU in Chicago. “It also reduces occupancy costs and can extend customer service hours in addition to improving employee recruitment and retention.”

Additionally, “Organic Member Growth,” or growth other than that derived by mergers, is the focus of a new CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council white paper. The paper details growth strategies and tactics from successful credit unions, and it explains why so many credit unions are failing to grow.

The financial needs of various demographics are addressed, along with corresponding opportunities to reach these markets. Finally, it explores the objectives – or indifference – the American consumer has to credit union membership and ideas for overcoming them.

CUNA Council members are entitled to complimentary copies of these white papers; non-members may purchase the white papers for a price of $50 per copy. The papers are available online at
www.cunacouncils.org; select the Cross-Council White Papers link located in the Tools and Resources drop-down menu. Choose the “Tech” tab for the telecommuting paper or the “Marketing & BizDev”
tab for the organic member growth paper. From there, non-members should follow the non-member link to order.