Sep/Oct 2009

Advice from a bank robber and tips for Hispanic Heritage Month

Although criminals are turning more and more to electronic methods to steal information and funds from financial institutions, physical robberies are still prevalent and dangerous. The FBI reports that there were nearly 1,500 robberies of financial institutions between Jan. 1 and March 31, 117 of which were credit unions. “The safety of credit union staff and members is a paramount concern,” said NAFCU President Fred Becker, explaining NAFCU’s decision to offer a DVD, “Deterring and Responding to Robberies.” “Through this DVD, should staff have to deal with a robber, they will be educated on how to handle the situation to safeguard their well-being and survive the situation successfully.”

The DVD teaches credit union employees the skills needed to help prevent robberies, aid police in the apprehension of the thieves and assist in the recovery of funds. Sur­prisingly, the DVD was developed by a former bank robber who provides first-hand insights. It also includes information from a law enforcement officer, security consultant, the CEO of a large financial institution and a teller who was a robbery victim.

– By Chrisalyn Santos

Enhance your presence in the Latino market

NAFCU has a plethora of information and materials to help you promote your credit union to the Hispanic community in your area during Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15–Oct.15.

While the current economic times pose some challenges, the Hispanic market still abounds with potential. Hispanic buying power will reach almost $1.2 trillion by 2011, about six times what it was in 1990. Hispanic business ownership is growing three times as fast as the national average. In fact, an increasing number of Hispanic business owners are women, generating nearly $46 billion in sales nationwide in 2006.

For helpful information on how to best approach this market, you can access valuable insight from two sessions recently held at NAFCU’s annual conference, “What Works in Serving the Latino Market: An Overview of Product Mix and Delivery Approach” and “The Regulatory Framework: Myths and Reality of Serving Immigrant Populations.”

Additionally, NAFCU Services Corporation and NAFCU are proud to offer a Spanish version of the advertising video that won the contest we held earlier this year. For a one-time $200 fee to the ad’s designer, you may customize the spot for your credit union as well.

NAFCU also has other marketing materials available through its Hispanic America Saves Initiative, a collaboration with the Consumer Federation of America. NAFCU has available bilingual brochures, flyers and posters that you can use to engage with this target market. You can personalize the documents with your credit union’s logo.

To enhance your Hispanic outreach efforts even more:

• Partner with local church, school or civic groups that may already be hosting events for their Hispanic members. Make information on your credit union available to attendees. 
  
• Highlight existing Hispanic credit union members by interviewing them for your newsletter or Web site. 
  
• Schedule a financial education class in Spanish using NAFCU’s financial literacy curriculum. Do a press release on it and invite the community and media to attend. 
  
• Conduct an essay contest for area students on what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them. Prizes can vary based on your budget. Invite local media to judge the entries. Create a photo opportunity for the award presentation and send a release with the photo to local media. Post it on your Web site. 
  
• Prepare a press release on the availability of Spanish language materials on your Web site or at your branches.  
  
• Host an open house to invite local Hispanic leaders and prospective/existing members to get to know the credit union better. Display the Hispanic America Saves materials at this event.

– By Patty Briotta