Coast Capital's Where You're At Money Chat and Money Chat Ipad App recognized with national marketing awards

SURREY, BC, June 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Coast Capital Savings has been recognized with an Achievement in Marketing Excellence and Achievement in Marketing award by the Marketing Association for Credit Unions (MACU), for the Where You're at Money Chat product launch and the Money Chat iPad App respectively.

The Where You're At Money Chat is a service that uses 12 simple questions to help customers identify where they need some help - in managing, growing, saving or protecting their money.  It equips staff to provide simple financial help that is relevant, useful, and aligned with the customer's most pressing needs.  It was launched in July 2011; more than 30,000 customers have had a Where You're At Money Chat to date.

"A lot of people are intimidated about talking about money, and the Where You're At Money Chat is a great conversation starter that asks quick, simple and straightforward questions to start the process," explained Lawrie Ferguson, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer for Coast Capital. "In many cases it helps single out the money worry that keeps them up at night. That information enables our staff to work with the customer, create a plan and ensure the customer leaves the branch in a better position than when they came in."

The Money Chat iPad App received MACU's award for innovation in the Electronic Media category. The iPad App takes the concept of the Where You're At Money Chat a step further, enabling customers to start an electronic Money Chat on their own in the branch. They then review it and develop a plan with a staff member, who can then send it directly to the customer via email. Since December, more than 2,000 customers have accessed this technology, which is currently being piloted in four of Coast Capital's new or redesigned branches, in Duncan, Victoria, Burnaby and North Vancouver.

"It's particularly meaningful to be recognized for the technology we brought to life with the Money Chat iPad App. We foster a culture of innovation at Coast Capital because we believe it is the lifeblood of a growing, thriving organization. We are continually focused on what we can do to help make managing finances simpler and more effective for our customers," Ferguson said.

The AIME awards program recognizes the best and brightest achievements in credit union marketing across Canada. Awards are given for the most impressive, effective, and creative marketing and communications materials and campaigns in the credit union industry. This is the seventh year in a row that Coast Capital has been recognized with AIME awards from MACU.

Coast Capital Savings Credit Union is Canada's second largest credit union with total assets under administration of $13.5 billion, 475,000 members and 50 branches in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island regions of British Columbia. Product innovations include Canada's first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution and the country's most flexible mortgage product, the You're the Boss™ Mortgage, which was named 2010 Mortgage of the Year by canadianmortgagetrends.com. Coast Capital offers one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™. It is a member of Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club and an Imagine Canada Caring Company. To learn more, visit www.coastcapitalsavings.com.

Divine Agodzo, Manager, Media Relations, Coast Capital Savings
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]