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EECU's In-store Branches Enhance Member Services
IBT helps credit union offer members a one-stop shopping experience

ATLANTA, Sept. 24, 2003
EECU, the 15 th largest community credit union in Texas, offers members a higher level of service with in-store branches located in Albertsons grocery store chain. With the assistance of IBT, the nation's largest specialty retail branch and performance consulting company, EECU has successfully opened two in-store branches and is preparing to build two more. Founded by a small group of educators in 1934, EECU has 10 full-service locations, serving more than 90,000 members.

IBT consultants worked with EECU to establish an in-store presence to complement the service it offers members through its brick-and-mortar locations. A true one-stop shopping experience, in-store branching enables members to conduct daily banking activities, while shopping for groceries. With Albertsons' convenient location and the branch's extended business hours, members can now shop and bank at the same location.

"We were looking for a financially stable partner that focused on the community and offered well-maintained, viable locations within those communities," Robert Rogers, CEO and president of EECU, said. "After a great deal of research, we knew that Albertsons was the partner we were looking for, and we are pleased with the quality of our relationship with them."

Implementing IBT's in-aisle training, a two-day course that teaches the art of speaking with shoppers in the aisles of a supermarket, EECU staff can address financial concerns of both members and non-members in the grocery store. EECU uses remote teller system (RTS) technology, rather than traditional teller windows, to provide efficient and quick service, while ensuring safety and security for both members and employees. RTS allows members to walk up to the branch's interactive video screen to communicate with the sales associates in a back office within the branch, an added convenience of the in-store branch.

Diane Gerstner, vice president of sales and marketing for EECU, said, "Our focus with the in-store branches is to ensure our members receive the same service as they do in a traditional branch with greater conveniences. We see the in-stores offering unlimited opportunities for us and our members."

IBT consultants were involved with every phase of the first two in-store branches including design, construction, staffing, as well as operations assistance and have begun the planning and implementation strategies for the next two branches. The additional two in-store branches are slated to open in 2004 and 2005.

"We continue to work with EECU as it expands and increases its geographical market," said John Nicola, senior vice president of IBT. "In-store branching enables EECU to better focus on members' needs and offer exceptional service. Working with EECU is rewarding because with each new branch, we implement innovative and original processes to improve its branch operations and performance."

About EECU
Based in Fort Worth, Texas, EECU is a community credit union founded in 1934 by a small group of educators. A progressive and financially sound credit union, EECU has 10 full-service locations and serves more than 90,000 members. The 15 th largest credit union in the state of Texas, EECU has assets of more than $514 million. For additional information visit the credit union's Web site at www.eecu.org.