By Mary Auestad Arnold

Two exciting pieces of news to share today about CUES' blogging endeavors. First off, check out our retooled marketing blog, Nexus Connection.

Posted by Christopher Stevenson

Posted by Lisa Hochgraf

CUES is bringing back Nexus Connection, a blog dedicated to talking about credit union marketing, especially in this new world of Web 2.0 and social media. We're looking forward to dialogs with you about many things newsworthy and thought-provoking. So we hope you'll put us in your RSS reader now, and join the conversation!

By Lisa Hochgraf

This weekend I was amazed to learn that 18-year-old Samantha Larson posted to her blog from the top of Mt. Everest. As is well documented already, Larson blogged simply, "We made it to the top! Now all we need to do is get back down ...."

By Lisa Hochgraf

Here in Rochester, N.Y., where this telecommuter lives and works, local credit unions are well loved. But if you ask residents what financial institutions they like doing business with in general, HSBC Bank and Canadaigua National Bank and Trust are also likely answers.

In this competitive market, every piece of positive press and positive impression counts.

By Lisa Hochgraf

In this Sunday's Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N.Y., a headline jumped out at me: "Nonprofit Group's Small Grants Can Change Lives: One-time assistance helps people through a rough spot."

By Suzanne Boniface

By Lisa Hochgraf

We're talking a lot in the credit union world about innovation. And I'm all for new ideas. Still, something that happened to me last week made me reflect on the value of products that meet basic needs.

I went shopping last Thursday evening, ready to spend money on new walking sandals (my old pair hurts my feet). Not cute ones, not pink ones, not flip-flop ones, not jewel-studded ones, though these all have their place, but sturdy, leather brown ones that I won't trip in when I chase my 3-year-old around the yard.

By Suzanne Boniface

By Nicole Anderson

There is weapons-grade ammunition in your retail space to help you generate brand advocates. We just need to harness the power.

This was such a great takeaway from the CUES NEXUS Conference that I wanted to share it.