Press
Truliant opening 10 Charlotte area branches and giving away $100,000
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (March 24, 2015) — With a goal of providing greater access to a better banking alternative to residents of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region, Truliant Federal Credit Union plans to open 10 new Queen City locations by the end of 2016. Most residents of the regionwill be eligible to join.
The expansion will give Truliant a total of 14 Member Financial Centers in the region. The 63-year-old credit union has had a presence in Charlotte for nearly three decades and is now dotting its I-485 corridor and interior with new locations. Additionally, new North Carolina locations were built in 2014 in Burlington and Winston-Salem.
Since November, Truliant has opened Member Financial Centers in Mint Hill, Harrisburg, Rivergate and Park Road. The credit union willsoon open Mecklenburg regional locations in the Mallard Creek, Ballantyne, Waverly, South Boulevard and Cornelius areas. A free-standing 3,800 square-foot Member Financial Center will also open in Huntersville in mid-2015. The expansion will create more than 120jobs and bring an $11 million dollar initial investment into the regional economy over the next two years.
“We’re ready to write the next chapter for financial institutions in this city. Truliant is different from traditional stockholder-owned banks. Finding the best fit for the financial health of our members comes first. We don’t shift our guidance based on where profits are the highest,” said Marc Schaefer, president and CEO of Truliant.
“Our success in Charlotte will be judged one member at a time by those who benefit from thoughtful guidance that strengthens their personal financial balance sheet. Truliant’s success is measured by the number of lives we improve. As a co-op, when our members do well, so does the credit union.”
The move comes at a time when credit union membership is growing nationally. Last year, U.S. credit unions increased to more than 100 million members because of the significant advantages they offer. By providing caring guidance, convenient locations, best-in-class online and mobile banking, and great rates, Truliant can enhance its members’ lives and grow its membership.
Truliant’s new locations reflect its new Life ImprovedSM brand. New branches have increased amenities, an open design, Wi-Fi access and teller pods that remove barriers to improve member interactions. The branches also include Smart ATMs that distribute multi-denominational amounts and accept deposits without envelopes. The facilities are about half the size of Truliant’s past branch formats.Additionally, this month Truliant launched a new website to enhance its member experience that features intuitive functionality; a designthat adjusts to smart TVs, personal computers, tablets and mobile devices; and interactive online calculators and decision tools thatprovide guidance to improve members’ lives.
In support of the expansion, Truliant is launching a social media campaign that will award four individuals $25,000 each for a total of$100,000. Truliant wants to know how $25,000 will help entrants achieve their “why” in life. That campaign kicks off today.
“Our MyWhy campaign springs from our mission statement. Simply stated, Truliant exists to improve lives by providing personalizedguidance which prioritizes members’ well-being over profits,” said Schaefer. “This initiative celebrates all the reasons that make us want to improve our own lives and the lives of our families. Whether you need more space for your growing family, an SUV to haul your children orfunds for your college education – we’re here to help you achieve your goals. Your “why” is our “why.”
Entrants can upload or record a short 15-second video of their “why,” and how Truliant can help them get there at www.truliantmywhy.com or by downloading the free Truliant #MyWhy App for Apple or Android smart phones. They can also submit entries via #MyWhy @Trulianton Twitter and Instagram. The credit union will also participate in eight upcoming community events in Charlotte and the Piedmont Triadwhere entries can be recorded using Truliant’s #MyWhy video booths. Photo entries accompanied by a brief explanation will also beaccepted from these social media channels. A complete listing of events can be found at www.truliant.org. Entries will be accepted untilmidnight on May 23, 2015.
After submitting their “why,” participants can earn votes by sharing entries on social media networks and encouraging friends and family tovote. Anyone can vote by: Sharing or Liking a video through Facebook; voting on the TruliantMyWhy.com website; making a Tweet aFavorite or Retweeting the video or photo on Twitter; or giving it a Heart on Instagram.
The 25 entries with the greatest number of votes in each region will be reviewed by Truliant’s MyWhy Panel who will make the final selection. Truliant will award $25,000 to each of the four winners to help make their “whys” come true. The money will be awarded in three regions: two winners from Charlotte and surrounding areas, one from the Piedmont Triad, and a fourth from one of the other communitiesthat Truliant serves. For full details, visit www.truliant.org.
“Truliant is here to improve lives. We are excited to learn all the reasons that make you want to improve your life and the lives of your families, and how we can help you achieve your goals,” Truliant’s Schaefer said. “What would you do if you had an extra $25,000?”
About Truliant Federal Credit Union
Truliant Federal Credit Union is a mission-driven, not-for-profit financial institution that promises to always have its member-owners’ bestinterest at heart by improving their lives through providing financial guidance and affordable financial services. Truliant was chartered in 1952 and now serves more than 190,000 members and currently has 27 Member Financial Centers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.For more information on Truliant Federal Credit Union, visit www.truliant.org.