Indiana League initiates positive TV coverage of CUs during statewide Convention
September 30, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS – The fact that credit unions are a bright spot in the financial services industry was more than apparent to viewers of Indianapolis’ CBS affiliate (WISH-TV 8) during the Sept.26 6:00 p.m. newscast.

The Indiana League was in the middle of its three-day convention when the station responded to a news release the League had sent to statewide media, reminding them that credit unions are safe harbor for consumers and small business owners, especially during these tumultuous times in the financial services sector. WISH-TV sent a reporter to the League’s convention to interview League President John McKenzie and Teachers CU CEO Rick Rice.

The segment opened with a reference to credit unions as the “bright spot,” which McKenzie and Rice emphasized in their interviews, and with the anchor pointing out “it is not all doom and gloom when it comes to the financial markets…Local credit unions are actually growing during these uncertain times.”

Rice’s comments accentuated the fact that “more people are turning toward credit unions for financial stability.” Related to positive mortgage growth at credit unions, the story included Rice’s comment about Teachers CU that “We’ve seen a lot more business come to us. The first seven months of this year, we did all of what we did last year in mortgages.”

“These interviews and the resulting coverage provided an opportunity to emphasize our message about consumers and business owners looking to credit unions during these difficult times for the economy and the overall financial industry, said McKenzie, who explained on-air to viewers, “Consumers and business owners recognize that credit unions represent a safe haven.”

WISH-TV’s evening news is broadcast to 60,000 households in Central Indiana including the cities of Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Lafayette, Bloomington, Kokomo, and Richmond.

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