The Plano Chamber membership team is thrilled to present our NEW monthly Member Spotlights! Each month, we will be highlighting two different Plano Chamber of Commerce members to continue connecting our members with each other and the Plano community at large.
The Plano Chamber would like to welcome and spotlight one of our long-time members, InTouch Credit Union. Heather Wagemann, our Membership Engagement Manager, asked InTouch Credit Union’s Senior Community & Business Development Representative, Joshua Franzen, a few questions about their business, membership, and their role in the community.
1. What would you like readers to know about InTouch Credit Union and what you specialize in?
As a credit union, we are a non-for-profit financial co-op, which means our members (account holders) are also owners of the credit union. Members guide us to help make business decisions to better enhance the banking experiences provided by us.
This has helped us create more robust products and services to meet the growing and evolving nature of banking. For example, we launched our Save to Win® savings account a couple of years back. This is a combination certificate of deposit and savings account which also rewards members with entries into a cash prize raffle (see www.itcu.org/save-to-win for more information.) We wanted to launch this to help empower people to save and to show the power of saving over time.
We also specialize in financial education and capability. We have Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors on staff to address specific financial situations, and we also have partners to assist with more complex questions and/or who have longer operating hours for those who may need assistance after our branches close for the day. As a result, we have been recognized numerous times for our program and our impact.
2. How has being an active member of the Plano Chamber of Commerce impacted your professional development/career?
The chamber has opened numerous doors for us- from business opportunities to professional development and education programs, and friendly networking events.
Working with the chamber and its members has given us insight to what our businesses and communities are looking for and what we can do to help provide those missing elements. In a way, the chamber helps keep us grounded and motivated in our mission of “working for you and your financial well-being.”
These events have also helped us tailor products and services to better meet the needs of the growing community. Changes in our products, giving up to two days access to direct deposits, lowering fees, etc. have come from interactions with the community which the Plano Chamber helped get us in front of, while also getting feedback for us.
This, of course, helps me grow and expand on my own knowledge to be a more valuable team player for ITCU, and more importantly a more knowledgeable professional to assist our member-owners.
3. Tell us about your involvement in the community.
We are very involved in our community. Our employees and members participate in our donation drives and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Examples of these would be our food and toy drives or highway cleanups. We’ve even partnered with schools and youth groups to bring financial education lessons to students (and at times parents).
We like to emphasize the community element to our members: by banking with us at InTouch Credit Union, their business is reinvested into local organizations that serve the community. We’ve helped with hunger initiatives, healthcare, housing, education, and more!
4. What piece of advice would you give to our newest members?
My best piece of advice is to get involved. Your chamber experience is what you make of it, so maximize it out! There are so many opportunities to network, partner, promote, etc. for yourself and for your business. It also doesn’t hurt to get creative and ask questions.