CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » PODCAST: Growth through partnerships
Podcast Management

PODCAST: Growth through partnerships

Northwest Community Credit Union has expanded on its primarily church-based membership.

January 18, 2018
Ron Jooss
No Comments
Jose Garcia Northwest Community CU 1200

Northwest Community Credit Union in Morton Grove, Ill., was formed in 1939 with a church-based membership, and parishioners comprise most of its membership even today.

But in the past two years, President/CEO Jose Garcia has embarked upon two strategic partnerships to diversify and strengthen the $58 million credit union.

First, Northwest Community established a fully student-run branch at St. Xavier University in Chicago. Recently, the credit union developed a select employee group relationship with Special Olympics of Illinois, and soon will launch its first campaign geared toward that constituency.

"We feel that if we could establish a relationship, those organizations will promote the credit union among the constituents they serve," Garcia tells the CUNA News Podcast. "We feel that strategy is best versus trying to grow within the community one member at a time."

The most formidable obstacle to Northwest Community's growth is consumers' lack of awareness of credit unions, Garcia says. A 25-year veteran of the industry, he makes a point to regularly trumpet credit unions' advantages over other financial institutions.

"Membership does make a difference," he says. "We need to tell that story more" to connect with potential members."

You can listen and subscribe to the CUNA News Podcast in Apple’s iTunes Store, Google Play, and Stitcher Radio.

KEYWORDS Credit Union Awareness

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • CFPB issues CUNA-opposed proposal on credit card late fees

  • Celebrating the legacy of Black leaders

  • Auto lending report shows significant credit union member savings

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Vote for the 2023 CU Hero of the Year

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us