Press
Guardian Credit Union selects Buzz Points to offer shop local loyalty and rewards program
MILWAUKEE, WI (October 7, 2014) — Buzz Points, a leader in connecting local businesses, community financial institutions and consumers through rewards, today announced that Guardian Credit Union, a financial institution serving members throughout Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties in Wisconsin, has selected the Buzz Points merchant-funded loyalty program for its 35,000 members. Buzz Points is free and allows credit union members to earn rewards while supporting the local economy by using their GCU Discover® debit cards for everyday shopping.
“Our institution was founded as a manufacturing-based credit union in 1934, and this heritage defines the hard-working individuals and communities we serve today,” said Steve Wesson, President and CEO of Guardian Credit Union. “In our continual efforts to provide our members with a superior, comprehensive experience – including technology and services that are competitive with larger financial institutions – we identified Buzz Points as a unique offering to that of other financial institutions in our area. The ability to reward our members for shopping locally while also providing the independent business owners in our community with a suite of robust marketing tools stood out as an ideal fit for both our members and our local merchants.”
Buzz Points is the only merchant-funded rewards platform that works with community financial institutions and local businesses to engage mutual customers. Guardian Credit Union members can earn points by using their GCU Discover debit card whenever they shop, but they earn more points for local shopping and the most points for shopping with local businesses enrolled in the program. Buzz Points creates additional revenue for financial institutions and gives local businesses a turnkey marketing solution that provides the data analysis and targeted marketing technologies they need to expand their market reach, attract new business and increase the loyalty of existing customers while also helping to offset the higher interchange fees that small businesses are often burdened with.
“The Milwaukee region is home to Wisconsin’s highest concentration of food and beverage makers and is well known for its many microbreweries and local fare,” said Jay Valanju, CEO of Buzz Points. “With the emergence of wards, including the historic third ward with its shopping and restaurant districts, art galleries and studios and growing number of farmers markets, along with a vibrant festival scene, Milwaukee’s buy local movement is gaining momentum. Guardian Credit Union has long been a champion of local business and industry, and with Buzz Points, they will be able extend their reach and engage their members in fueling the growth of their local economy.”
Credit union members enrolled in the free program earn points automatically through debit card purchases that can be redeemed easily for gift cards, cash cards and donations to local non-profits using the Buzz Points web interface or mobile app. A continually expanding network of 30,000+ local businesses nationwide allows cardholders to shop locally, accrue points and redeem rewards wherever they are.
About Buzz Points, Inc.
Buzz Points, Inc. is the creator of the Buzz Points loyalty product suite, which connects consumers, local merchants and community financial institutions through social media engagement, targeted marketing and rewards. The Buzz Points Program enables credit unions and community banks to generate greater non-interest income, increase transactions, reduce account attrition, drive new loans and attract new customers. The Buzz Points Merchant Program provides additional revenue to financial institutions, increases existing consumer loyalty and supports local businesses by increasing their market reach and attracting new customers. For more information, visit www.buzzpoints.com.