The Members Group Wraps 2011 Conference, Plans to Repeat Event in 2012

(Des Moines, Iowa – July 26, 2011) – Tackling of-the-moment issues, including debit regulations, alternative payments and social media, TMG’s Client Conference speakers received resounding praise from attending credit unions. Each of the nine sessions, led by presenters such as McDonald Marketing’s Kelly McDonald, PolicyWorks’ Andrea Stritzke and The Financial Brand’s Jeffry Pilcher, achieved Very Good or Excellent rankings by an overwhelming majority of those responding to the event survey.

“The educational sessions were helpful because they were all so relevant to the issues facing financial institutions right now,” said Lisa Hommel, a vice president at Vermont State Employees Credit Union. “Compliance, regulations, new products and fraud have an impact on all of us, regardless of our size or to which type of members we cater.”

Among the contemporary issues addressed at the conference were the emerging technologies consumers are using to make everyday financial transactions. TMG Client Conference survey respondents indicated this was a big area of importance for them, with half claiming they are likely to add an alternative payments platform within the next 12 months. (Another 43 percent said it was somewhat likely they would add alternative payments within the next 12 months.)

Debit card portfolio management was a second popular topic for credit union attendees. More than 80 percent of event survey respondents believed debit to be their customers’ preferred method of payment.

When asked what other issues are of importance, survey respondents listed topics like chip-and-PIN/EMV, maximizing portfolios in a post-Durbin environment and how to remain competitive.

Overall, the conference achieved Very Good or Excellent rankings from 100 percent of survey respondents. TMG plans to repeat the event next July, this time at the Loews Coronado Bay Hotel & Resort in San Diego.

About TMG

TMG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Affiliates Management Company, which is owned by Iowa credit unions and their members. As a financial and credit union service organization (CUSO), TMG is dedicated to providing innovative and flexible card processing and payment solutions to credit unions and financial institutions across North America. TMG’s core products include credit, debit, ATM and a variety of ATIRA-branded prepaid solutions, as well as online reporting, ACH and ALM services. For more information, visit www.TheMembersGroup.com.

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