What Is Shared Branching?

The shared branching network is a nationwide network that enables members to transact financial business at participating shared branching locations across the country. There are over 1,000 credit unions participating and over 2,000 locations serving members nationwide. Specifically in Georgia, there are over 60 shared-branching outlets, as well as four stand-alone credit union service centers available to members. Members are able to identify locations participating in the shared branching network by the Credit Union Service Center logo.

Shared Branching Provides Extended Service Hours & Improves Credit Union Convenience

Different credit unions are open at different times of the day, and different days of the week. Hours of operation that my not work for a member at one location may be more convenient at another. Shared branching provides a unique service for your members, allowing the member a wider range of credit union branches to choose from, which enables the member to determine what works best for them. For potential members it's likely that one of the shared branching locations will be convenient for them. For both existing and potential members, it will be less likely they have to change their habits to do business with the credit union, resulting in increased business.

Shared Branching Increases Member Interaction & Retention

Increasing point of contact opportunities translates into increased interaction and transactions from members, which in turn strengthens the relationship between your credit union and your members. Strong relationships are hard to break, and shared branching is linked to an increase in member satisfaction and retention. Research indicates that "convenience" is cited as the number one reason for leaving the credit union (closing an account). For the traveler, their credit union is more accessible. For members that move out of your immediate service area, there is more likely to be a branch available to them in their new home town via the shared branching network.

Shared Branching Adds Branches Without Adding New Branch Expenses

By sharing existing branches instead of building new ones, many expenses related to opening new branches are avoided. Not only does shared branching eliminate expenses that would be incurred to build and maintain new branches and employ new service representatives, shared branching can also create a new revenue stream which will offset the expense of joining the network. Your members get added convenience, and the credit union keeps the bottom line healthy.

Shared Branching Provides Nationwide Service

Credit Union Service Centers and Shared Branching enables credit unions to expand their reach and exposure to communities and cities throughout the U.S. and even to some foreign countries, making credit unions more accessible to members worldwide.

Shared Branching Expands Credit Union Reach

Shared Branching enables your credit union to serve potential members that are in your field of membership that have opted not to become a member because they live too far from existing locations. With shared branching, member service representatives are able to point to the additional locatoins available through the network, and there is a higher probability that potential members live close to either one of the original credit union locations, or a shared branching location.

Shared Branching Plays A Vital Role During Disaster Recovery

During unexpected disasters, shared branching outlets are readily available, and provide immediate, professional, & online access for members.

Shared Branching Increases Credit Union Awareness

The more that credit unions display the shared branching logo the more people will see, appreciate, and use their credit union.

Shared Branching Provides Service To Extended Family Members

Credit Union members with family in other parts of town, the state, or the country will now be able to access the credit union. It now makes sense for these potential members to join "their father's credit union."

Shared Branching Offers A Unique Marketing Message

Offering shared branching allows credit unions to advertise a new service that is being implemented for the benefit of the member. It's not only a marketing message, it's an image building tool. Credit Unions are connecting their branches through cooperation in order to benefit members.