We Know ‘Buy Local’ - Can We Convince Members to Spend Local?

Credit unions, like Public Service Credit Union and All In Credit Union, have seen tremendous success with the Buy Local Spend Local program that builds brand, grows income and supports communities. We're talking 30% to 130% increase in volume of credit card or debit card swipes/dips/taps at the local businesses that participated. Public Service Credit Union even added a Give Local element!

The Credit Union Connection Publisher Sarah Cooke, MBA (she/her) of Cooke Consulting Solutions and Entrepreneur Jim Kasch, founder of Buy Local Spend Local, talk about why doing business with local credit unions and local businesses and connecting the two are so important as pillars of the community.

Show Notes

:00 Jim updates us on what he's been up to since he left Darden Employees FCU, now part of USF Federal Credit Union

4:00 Why AmEx is not great for small business owners and keeping money local, including examples

10:00 Benefits to credit unions of being a local leader. "We want them to use your restaurant. We want them to use your dry cleaner...The local Chambers of Commerce really love this."

13:00 Buy Local Spend Local credit unions goes old school with surprising membership results - including small business accounts

18:40 Serving rural areas

24:00 Credit unions' struggle with where to start with segmentation, data and marketing

27:00 Employees are really engaging with the community and loving it