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Biggest Losers Club member Seven Seventeen CU makes impact with eStatements

For many members of Seven Seventeen Credit Union, eStatements have been a welcome enhancement. Since the $655 million Warren, Ohio-based credit union first launched the program at the end of 2001, use of eStatements has grown — with 76 percent growth experienced in 2005. Today, more than 10 percent of Seven Seventeen’s members receive eStatements, making the credit union a star member of DigitalMailer’s “Biggest Losers Club.” According to Karen DeSalvo, vice president, marketing, a variety of strategies has led to the program’s growth and success.

“At Seven Seventeen Credit Union, we package our products, so members using online banking automatically receive eStatements unless they opt out, which few do,” said DeSalvo. “But the program had a really big boost when we offered free bill pay last year.”

DeSalvo also credits Seven Seventeen employees for playing a key role in the success of eStatements. The credit union offered contests and cash incentives for employees to sign up new eStatement users, and encouraged staff members to enroll in the service themselves by providing training sessions on how to use the product. Other successful strategies have included member drawings for iPods and gift cards, conducting an annual e-services promotional campaign, sending targeted direct mail pieces, and posting the link to eStatements and an eStatement demo prominently on Seven Seventeen’s website.

“The program provides two key benefits: member satisfaction and cost savings on printing and postage,” said DeSalvo. “And we’ve more than recouped our costs to set up the program.”

According to DeSalvo, the credit union works hard to stay on the cutting edge of technology, and its members have traditionally been receptive to such service and product enhancements.

“We wanted electronic-based products that work consistently each month from a provider that’s available to us when we need them – DigitalMailer has both the best product and the best service,” said DeSalvo. Seven Seventeen also uses DMI’s eChecks and is looking at beginning its eLerts program later this year. “We’ve been very pleased with our relationship with DigitalMailer – they’ve been wonderful to work with,” DeSalvo said.

To learn how eStatements can help your credit union increase member satisfaction and decrease postage and printing expenses of mailing statements each month, contact DigitalMailer at info@digitalmailer.com