CU Insight

Contact: Rick Govek, rgovek@cuna.com, (608) 231-4189

MADISION, Wis. (1/19/2012) – CUNA Strategic Services Inc. (CSS) renewed its relationship with The Small Business Authority, powered by Newtek Business Services, to serve credit union small business members. The existing strategic alliance between the companies has been strengthened by the addition of health and benefit insurance products.

Since 2003, CSS has worked with The Small Business Authority to provide a multitude of small business services. Now, credit union small business members will have access to group health, group life, group accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), group short-term disability (STD), group long-term disability (LTD), group dental, group vision, as well as individual and family health.

“Credit unions can meet an important need of their small business members through this new suite of health and benefits products,” said Bill Cheney, president/CEO of Credit Union National Association and CSS. “Our long-standing alliance with The Small Business Authority provides an ideal platform for credit unions and small businesses to be successful.”

The Small Business Authority CEO/Chairman Barry Sloane said, “This is probably the most important product and service offering that we will be involved with in 2012, and working with CSS as well as credit unions to solve their members’ issues surrounding health insurance is an honor and a challenge. Never before have credit union members and Americans been so challenged to protect their health and families. We are proud to help members sort out their best choices.”

The strategic alliance relationship includes products such as small business loans, credit- and debit-card processing services, web-hosting services, connectivity, data storage, security, network infrastructure, business tax services, web-based payroll services, and accounts receivable financing.

For more information, visit www.cunastrategicservices.com/newtek.

About CUNA Strategic Services

CUNA Strategic Services Inc., owned jointly by Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and the state leagues, saved credit unions more than $25 million in 2010 through its alliance programs. It provides credit unions with access to quality products, services, and technologies delivered with a competitive advantage made possible through volume pricing and strategic program development. For more information, visit cunastrategicservices.com.

About The Small Business Authority, powered by Newtek Business Services

Newtek Business Services, Inc., The Small Business Authority, is a direct distributor of a wide range of business services and financial products to the small- and medium-sized business market under the Newtek^® brand. Since 1999, Newtek has helped small- and medium-sized business owners realize their potential by providing them with the essential tools needed to manage and grow their businesses and to compete effectively in today’s marketplace. Newtek provides its services to over 100,000 business accounts and has positioned the Newtek^® brand as a one-stop-shop provider of such business services. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are over 27.5 million small businesses in the United States, which in total represent 99.7% of all employer firms.