CU*Answers, a 100% credit union-owned CUSO, recently announced that it is holding two summer contests designed to improve how credit unions use online banking to market products and services to their members. The winner for each contest will be awarded $2,500; the contest entry period ends September 2015.

The first contest asks credit unions what if you assumed that the majority of people using online banking were shopping? What tools would inspire shoppers to buy the credit union’s products and services? How would you encourage them to interact with you during the “shopping” experience? Credit unions are asked to suggest five pages that could be added to It’s Me 247 online banking that would allow the credit union more flexibility in offering their own products and services. In other words, what five pages on the credit union’s website do you wish could be shown in online banking?

The second contest asks CU*Answers clients what a comment button might look like in online banking. Today’s consumer is surrounded by opportunities to say what they think. For millions of consumers, clicking a “like” button has become second nature. How might that be incorporated into It’s Me 247?

Online banking has become increasingly important over the years in attracting and retaining members. “In the last four years, we’ve seen the percent of active online banking users increase from 27% of all members in 2011 to 36% in 2015 for credit unions in the cuasterisk.com network,” said EVP Scott Page. “And today, 42% of all active online banking users are using a mobile channel. Credit unions need new and improved ways of communicating with members since they may be seeing fewer of them at the branch.”

Interested in learning more? Check out the CU*Answers website for details and information on how to enter.