Invest in America and Valentine's Day - True Love

We know everyone loves to spoil their loved ones on Valentine's Day.  The great thing is, credit unions can help their members save on their spoiling!  Working with Invest in America, credit unions can offer their members fantastic savings from Sprint, FTD and Invest in America's online mall Shop America.

Since cell phones are one of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts, the Sprint Credit Union Member Discount can help make this gift much more affordable. Sprint offers waived new activation and upgrade fees – that’s over $50 in savings! Plus, credit union members can also save 10% on most monthly recurring charges.*

FTD offers significant savings not only on gorgeous flowers, but also spa sets, chocolates, wine baskets and more. And if your members do order flowers, FTD has their "Good as Gold" 7-Day Satisfaction Guarantee that the flower arrangements will last at least 7 days - guaranteed. Plus, they have same day delivery available.

With Shop America, credit union members can save, get cash back and have access to more than 1,200 online retailers, including some of the largest and most popular, at great discounts. And every time they earn $10 or more, they’ll get a check as a thank you!

So, whether your members have phones, flowers, chocolates or some other meaningful gift in mind, we think they should save when they shop for it.  All they have to do is visit LoveMyCreditUnion.org and follow the Sprint, FTD or Shop America links to start saving – while showing the ones they love how much they care.

*Up to $150 off new phones and smart phones with 2-year service agreement or eligible upgrade. While supplies last. Must be a credit union member to qualify.

Your members can save twice on a new GM vehicle with Invest in America

Credit unions are known for their "people helping people" philosophy.  By partnering with GM, Invest in America has helped credit unions provide their members with great low auto loan rates as well as Preferred Pricing with GM.  Now, GM is taking it one step further by offering current, eligible GM owners* $1,000 on the purchase of an eligible 2010/2011 GM vehicle!

With your help, your members can save twice on their next new GM vehicle:

1. Get pre-qualified for an auto loan at your credit union
2. Current, eligible GM owners* can save with $1,000 in Owner Loyalty Cash Back.  These savings can be combined with the GM Credit Union Member Discount from Invest in America and most current incentives.

This special offer from GM ends February 28, 2011 so be sure to let your members know now about this additional great promotion!


*Eligible owners must provide proof of current ownership or lease of a 1999 or newer model year Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer or Oldsmobile.  See additional offer details at www.lovemycreditunion.org.
 

How the Award-Winning Chevy Volt Can Help Boost Your Credit Union's Auto Loan Volume

First, we'd like to congratulate our Invest in America partner GM for having the North American Car of the Year, announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week.  The Chevy Volt, GM's state-of-the-art electric car, took home the honors.

So, what does this have to do with auto loans at your credit union?  Plenty.  Any time a vehicle like this grabs the attention of the media and the public, that's the perfect time to remind your members that they can get valuable discounts on GM vehicles like the Chevy Volt - thanks to your credit union's involvement in Invest in America.

How to Market
You can tie both the Volt and Invest in America to your auto loan products, which then could increase your loan volume.  Make the connection for your members by congratulating GM for winning Car of the Year.  Remind them of the savings they can get by not only getting a loan with you, but by using Invest in America when the purchase their new GM vehicle.  Use this information in:

• The online loan application page of your website.  Include an Invest in America Web banner that links to the GM page on LoveMyCreditUnion.org
• An article in your upcoming newsletter, including a link to  the GM page on LoveMyCreditUnion.org
• An e-mail communication to your members, especially those in the market for a new vehicle.  Again, include a link to LoveMyCreditUnion.org

Participating credit unions can download an Invest in America banner or additional marketing ideas, by visiting the Partner Center on LoveMyCreditUnion.org and clicking on Marketing Materials.

The North American International Auto Show and their Car of the Year always creates a buzz around the winner.  Use this to your advantage this year.  You'll not only be increasing auto loan volume for your credit union, you'll be supporting an award-winning American-based company.

Invest in America Makes Filing Taxes Affordable

With 2010 at an end, the inevitable isn't far behind - filing taxes.  Invest in America wants to take the stress and expense out of preparing and filing this year by offering your members savings on several different tax preparation programs.  Offering your members these valuable savings is also the perfect way to promote savings products at your credit union.  They'll be looking for a place to save their tax returns, why not at your credit union?

CompleteTax
Credit union members receive an exclusive 30% discount on CompleteTax's Deluxe, Premium or State program starting at just $13.95.  Their basic program is FREE, plus CompleteTax is offering credit union members three additional ways to file for free:

• Unemployment Offer - Premium federal return absolutely free if you lost your job last year
• Balance Due Offer - CompleteTax federal return is free if you owe the IRS
• Competitor Offer - Premium federal return absolutely free if you filed with TurboTax, TaxACT or H&R Block online last year.

CompleteTax is powered by CCH, one of the most respected names in tax information and consulting. 

Tax Cut by H&R Block
From the world's largest tax preparation company - H&R Block offers cash back on their online Tax Cut program for your members.  Credit union members will receive 11% cash back when they purchase their TaxCut Premium software or file online through Shop America.

FreeTaxUSA
Credit union members earn 25% cash back when they purchase FreeTaxUSA through Shop America.  FreeTaxUSA offers a free basic program (subject to income and state requirements) and affordable state and deluxe federal programs.

How to Market the Tax Services Programs from Invest in America
When you promote these savings programs to your credit union members, not only is it a great way to promote the "people helping people" philosophy of your credit union, it's also the perfect opportunity for you to talk to your members about investing their tax refund into one of your savings products.  Starting in January, Invest in America will have a tax services marketing campaign for you to share with your members:

• Print and display take ones in your lobby and/or at teller windows
• Print and display poster in your lobby
• Include inserts in an upcoming mailing
• Incorporate the Invest in America newsletter article in your next newsletter or on your website
• Use the Invest in America email copy to send an e-blast to your members
• Include web banners on your website's homepage

With the Invest in America tax services discounts, we hope to help credit union members save, increase credit union credit/debit card activity and promote savings products that credit union members can use for their tax returns.

Visit LoveMyCreditUnion.org for full program details and to view or download any of the above mentioned marketing materials, which will be available this month.