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CU*Answers launches CUSO-to-CU internship program with First United Credit Union
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (June 26, 2015) — CU*Answers, a 100% credit union-owned cooperative CUSO, and First United Credit Union (Grandville, MI) have partnered to begin the first CUSO-to-CU internship program. On Monday, June 22, two CU*Answers employees started at First United and will work part-time at the CU for a period of 10-12 weeks.
The program was developed by CU*Answers to encourage credit unions to design internships when looking for new resources. Randy Karnes, CU*Answers CEO said, “Credit unions can get stuck in a rut when looking for resources. They stick to the same methods that worked in the past, but with the industry changing to meet the needs of today, credit unions should be looking for creative, new solutions. This program is about creating a spark and getting credit unions to think differently.”
The benefits of the program don’t stop at the credit union though. “I believe that this is an equally exciting and important opportunity for both the CUSO and CU to partner together,” said Heather Alberta, Manager of Organizational Development at CU*Answers. “Sharing our knowledge and support helps the CU complete initiatives that they may not have the resources for internally. In return, the opportunity to partner with our clients provides a unique insight and perspective to the team at CU*Answers.”
In this sense, the program meets the stated goal of CU*Answers to Walk in the Members’ Shoes. “Successful CUSOs are not built on what they know, but from learning about what credit unions and their members know,” added Karnes. “As companies grow, they have a tendency to see things only from their own perspective, driving development away from the clients’ vision. However, as a cooperative CUSO it is our goal to build our teams to see and understand the perspectives of our member-owners—it’s key to our success and to theirs.”
The first two CU*Answers employees to step up to the plate are Matthew VandeWater, Client Services Account Executive, and Susanna Wojtkowiak, Organizational Resource Development Administrator, who will join professionals at the credit union to learn more about their compliance and human resources operations. Alberta concluded, “As the first participants, Matthew and Susanna will come back with a better understanding of First United’s perspective, challenges, and goals, while assisting the CU in achieving success and supporting their objectives. We hope other credit unions will create their own internship programs or develop other innovative resource sharing programs—we’re going to continue to design and implement these types of Walk-in-their-Shoes programs that are so important to our future and to the health of the CUSO-CU relationship.”
Interested in starting your own CUSO-to-CU internship program with CU*Answers? Contact Heather Alberta, Manager of Organizational Development, at 800-327-3478 x272, or halberta@cuanswers.com.
About CU*Answers, Inc.
CU*Answers offers expertise in implementing technical solutions to operational needs, and is a leader in helping credit unions form strategic alliances and partnerships.
CU*Answers provides a wide variety of services for credit unions including its flagship CU*BASE® processing system (online and in-house) and Internet development services featuring It’s Me 247 online and mobile banking. Additional services include web development, network design and security, and image check processing. Founded 40+ years ago, CU*Answers is a 100% credit union-owned cooperative CUSO providing services to credit unions representing over 1.7 million members and $15.7 billion in credit union assets. For more information, visit www.cuanswers.com.