Finding new ways to connect in a changing landscape

CHARLESTON, SC (July 27, 2016) — Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union has historically embraced technology as a way of empowering its over 45,000 members to effectively manage their accounts. Current President & CEO, Jim McDaniel, started his first stent at Heritage as part of the IT department, helping the Credit Union through a major core system conversion. As CEO now, McDaniel and his Senior Management team, continue to steer the Credit Union towards financial technology solutions for the future.

The growing tech sector of Charleston has recently been dubbed “Silicon Harbor,” the 7th fastest- growing software development region in the United States. It boasts over 250 tech firms ranging from defense to biomedical solutions.* As an employer based Credit Union, Heritage Trust is at the forefront of providing benefits and solutions to help local firms and start-ups help their employees. From providing onboarding solutions for new-hires to financial wellness and benefits, the credit union’s customized offerings are meeting local start-up needs.

To better understand the needs of the changing tech industry, Heritage is an active member of the Association of I.T. Professionals Charleston Chapter and regularly participates in their programs. Members of the credit union’s IT department serve on the Board and others have participated as panelists for events, speaking on trending financial technology and the impact it has on our community.

In addition to many financial literacy workshops Heritage Trust hosts for businesses and associations, utilizing technology to make financial education fun for youth is a key focus for the organization. Research indicates that the earlier youth learn the critical habits of saving and budgeting, the more successful they will be in their adult life. Children need something engaging to capture their attention, which is why the credit union offers a financial video game called Coindexter to assist in teaching these invaluable skills.

Coindexter is an interactive online game that allows children to create their own avatar and become immersed in the educational virtual world of Econopolis. In the game, they work through modules to earn, save, spend, manage and even invest money in order to help Penny Parker, the president of the Coindexter Club, unlock obstacles in the game. Coindexter even has a Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union branch within the game. As children progress through various stages of the courses, they’re able to come into the credit union’s actual branch locations to redeem special prizes. The game has been rolled out at multiple schools as a learning tool.

“Beyond mobile payments and banking technology enhancements, we have to find new ways to continue to connect with our region’s changing business needs as well as the area’s growing youth population. Our goals are to provide convenience, security and trusted solutions while offering unique pathways to engage and empower others for financial literacy,” stated Emily Reynolds, SVP of Development.