Xtend, Inc., a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based multi-owned cooperative CUSO, announces today that it has launched its E-Info member communication service for three beta credit unions. The launch culminated development work by teams from two CUSOs: Xtend and CU*Answers. The It’s Me 247 home banking and Web Services development teams from CU*Answers worked closely with the Member Reach team from Xtend to take E-Info from concept to reality.
“Very simply put, E-Info is the delivery of content to e-statement members that comes as close as possible to content that is delivered to members inside their statement envelopes,” says Xtend President Scott Collins. “Many members have embraced electronic statements and newsletters as their preferred correspondence with their credit union. We are taking that a step further by presenting marketing content to the member on their way to view their e-statements, similar to tri-folds and hard-copy newsletters stuffed inside the envelopes with printed statements.”
The service is offered in two different forms. The first is what the CUSO calls In Your Face – the enewsletter or marketing piece is presented to the member when they click to view their e-statement. The second is being called a Teaser because the member is presented with a pop-up window after selecting the e-statement link and can click the banner for the full collateral piece. Collins believes that both formats will be popular with credit unions and members. He notes, “Electronic members are used to being marketed to in a different way and our credit union partners are excited about reaching them in as many ways as possible. Its up to the credit union to decide whether it’s In Your Face or Teaser will be most effective for their marketing plan.”
Participating in this initial release are First Trust Credit Union (Michigan City, IN), Focus Credit Union (Wauwatosa, WI), and Western Districts Members Credit Union (Grand Rapids, MI).
Download Press Release
WESCO Net Web Services, a leader in web design and hosting for credit unions across the United States is proud to announce that Web Services Developer James Hulett recently earned a MySQL Certified Developer certification.
According to WESCO Net, this certification is important as MySQL is increasingly being tasked for backend database store for many web applications including its WordPress with SiteControl platform, as well as Retailer Direct, MicroLender, and many eDOC Innovations products.
Dave Wordhouse, VP of Network Technologies at WESCO Net says, “Todays business world runs on databases. More now than ever, businesses are making both tactical and strategic decisions based on a proper understanding of the knowledge capital theyve accumulated and stored in their databases. WESCO Nets key value proposition has always been our expertise in leveraging technical solutions to solve critical business issues. While weve had knowledgeable experts in MySQL for many years we felt it was time to extend our reach and add this important certification as it will further cement our position of trusted partner with our clients using this important and rapidly growing database vendor.”
MySQL is the worlds most popular open source database engine used worldwide by industry giants like Yahoo!, Google and YouTube.
Download Press Release
CU*Answers Web Services, a leader in web design and hosting, has announced it recently expanded the NACUSO.org website with a whole new section to support the upcoming NACUSO at Pepperdine University Sessions. This new Education and Certification Program, focuses on Collaboration & Business Networks is being offered in partnership with Pepperdine University, the first session slated to begin October 26th through 28th.
The Web Services team was able to quickly launch this new section of the site through its WordPress with SiteControl platform. This platform made adding content easy and also enabled other participation features such as comments on various pages of the section. Additionally, an online credit card processing gateway was added to handle immediate registration for this limited participation event.
Download Press Release
WESCO Net Web Services, a leader in web design and hosting headquartered out of Grand Rapids, MI announces the launch of the newly redesigned Lender*VP web site.
The new site for CU*Answers Lending Department, Lender*VP was created using WordPress with SiteControl. This user-friendly platform allows for quick updates and new posts. This ability give the opportunity for Lender*VP staff to easily inform its clients about recent events and notices.
The new website design is a visually more appealing and professional theme, supporting the innovative and expanding Lender*VP Team. Because the web site is standardized with WordPress with SiteControl platform, Web Services and Lender*VP staffers can easily manage content and add new sections as product offerings increase.
Download Press Release
WESCO Net Web Services, a leader in web design and hosting, has announced that all its WordPress with SiteControl Sites are now Mobile-Ready.
With It’s Me 247 Mobile Banking soon to be launched, WESCO Net Web Services has raised the level for all its hosted WordPress with SiteControl websites by enabling a special Mobile Enhanced Theme. This special theme automatically detects if the browser visiting the site is coming from a handheld device. If it is, a special optimized rendering of the site is provided. This mobile theme is lightweight for the limited bandwidth available for the handheld device and is styled to look like a native Apple iPhone application.
This free upgrade was applied to all WordPress with SiteControl sites.
According to David Damstra, Web Services Manager, “Mobile web access is quickly becoming commonplace with Apple’s iPhone leading the way. This free upgrade to the WordPress sites was a no-brainer and it really adds value to the Credit Unions website for their member.”
Download Press Release
Xtend, Inc., a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based multi-owned cooperative CUSO, has experienced increased web site activity during the past three months. Web site utilization reports indicate that www.xtendcu.com has been averaging over 6,000 page hits per month during the recently completed business quarter, which represents a significant a significant increase over the same period in 2008.
“I believe the increase is tied to several factors”, says Xtend President Scott Collins. “During the past year we have seen steady growth of our shared branching network and the self-service web site is a key component of that brand. We have stepped up our marketing efforts overall, which translates into more credit unions and partners coming to our site to learn more about us. And the new Live Chat service we have deployed on our site and several other business partner sites has generated real-time interactive activity for the first time.” Collins also notes that 2010 initiatives to help credit unions market to and communicate with their members should continue the increased web site activity trend.
The Xtend web site is hosted and managed by the Web Services team at CU*Answers, Inc., a multi-owned CUSO also headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Download Press Release