Media Coverage Listing

What is Y&F Alabama?

A new Hill Account and a voice for the 25-and-under Alabama crowd

The Young & Free Initiative is a platform designed to help define freedom for Alabama youth and provides fun and educational resources to help and challenge young people to move towards that freedom. Young & Free Alabama comes to life in an online environment where meaning happens amongst thought-provoking, relevant and empowering dialogue.

The Purpose

  • Give the 25-and-under Alabama crowd a voice and place of their own.
  • Empower members of this group to define and find freedom.
  • Provide free and relevant advice.
  • Find a spokesperson from within this group who will listen and be an ear to what’s going on about topics that are important to youth.
  • Help Listerhill learn from the 25-and-under crowd to help the credit union design better products and services that this group needs.
  • Raise Listerhill's profile to get on young people’s consideration list for possible financial institutions.

General Information

If you are looking for more information about the Young & Free Program, please contact:

Tim McAlpine
President
Currency Marketing
604-792-4053 ext. 62
+ Email Tim at tmcalpine@currencymarketing.ca
+ www.currencymarketing.ca

Media Kit

If you have a Young & Free Alabama media question, please contact:

Chris Anderson
800-239-6033 x 266
+ Email Chris at canderson@listerhill.com

Support materials for editorial use

2009–2010 Initiative

  • PDF | Young & Free Alabama Fact Sheet
  • PDF | Young & Free Alabama FAQS
  • PDF | Brad Green Bio

Logo artwork

  • PDF | Y&F Alabama logo brand identity guide
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama with url (color)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama with url (black)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama Hill Account & url (color)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama Hill Account & url (black)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama by Listerhill hor (color)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama by Listerhill hor (black)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama by Listerhill & url (color)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama by Listerhill & url (black)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama by Listerhill vert (color)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Y&F Alabama by Listerhill vert (black)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Powered by Listerhill reverse (color)
  • EPS | AI | JPG | Powered by Listerhill reverse (black)
 

 

Advantage Access:
24 Hour Audio Response Teller
Phone: 256-381-5555
Toll-Free: 1-800-942-5328

MUSCLE SHOALS
(Main Office)

4790 East Second Street
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
Phone: 256-383-9204
Fax: 256-381-1519
+ Google Map

WEBSITE
www.listerhill.com

Brad Green
President
Listerhill Credit Union
+ Email Brad Green

Media Releases

  • PDF | 09/06/2011 | Y&F Alabama Announces "Cash for Your Cause"
  • PDF | 04/26/2011 | Credit Union Announces New Gen Y Spokesperson
  • PDF | 09/01/2010 | Big Deal Car Giveaway
  • PDF | 12/07/2009 | Credit Union Announces First Gen Y Spokesperson
  • PDF | 09/28/2009 | Dream Job for Gen Y Spokesperson

Media Coverage

Tuesday
Nov152011

Cash for a Cause 

Courier Journal Online

MUSCLE SHOALS – Young & Free® Alabama, powered by Listerhill Credit Union, has announced the winners in “Cash for Your Cause,” which awards $4,000 to local not-for-profit organizations.

Ten participants entered their 60-second videos at YoungFreeAlabama.com for public viewing and voting. Central Elementary School garnered nearly 25% of the 4,000 votes cast to win $3,000 toward their cause. Shoals Christian School and the Phil Campbell Memorial Project were each awarded $500 as runners-up.

With help from Central Elementary administration, representatives from Listerhill along with Young & Free spokesman, Lee Taylor, surprised students and teachers gathered in the school gymnasium. Principal Keith Morris carried in the large check after Taylor informed the crowd that the school’s video submission had won the $3,000 first prize.

The contest win was especially satisfying for the school, which has not received funding for new library books in three years. Central Elementary used to receive about $8,000 a year from the state, according to Library and Media Specialist Janice Gunderson.

+ Original article

Tuesday
Nov152011

Phil Campbell Civitan Hopes to Win Cash for Their Cause

waaytv.com | By Erika Odell

+ Original article

Tuesday
Nov152011

Rosedale Garden

GRIT Rural American Know-How | By Mary

The Arc of the Shoals in Tuscumbia, as most schools in the state of Alabama has been hit hard by proration. Older folks in the Shoals still call the school for adults with special needs Hope Haven. The Arc consists of Hope Haven Adult Training Center, Phyllis Lyle Work Center, semi independent living programs and group homes. It is a great organization with wonderful employees who care for the clients they support. The organization is on a very tight budget and makes full use of the funds intended to support its programs. 

 our greenhouse 

One of the training programs is a gardening class. Plants are grown by the clients and are available for purchase at the school. There's one little problem, our greenhouse is not complete. The ventilation fans and heaters don’t work. Here’s were you come in, and it won’t hurt you a bit, all we need is your vote. Listerhill Credit Union is sponsoring a “Cash for your Cause” sweepstakes. You may vote only once per e-mail address until October 27, 2011. The winner will receive $3000 toward their cause. Please watch the fantastic video located at the top left of the applicants is the Arc of the Shoals and cast your vote hear? Pretty please? Voting ends on October 27. Thanks in advance for your support!

+ Original article

Tuesday
Nov152011

Civitans win $500 for PC park

Franklin County Times | By Kellie Singleton

PHIL CAMPBELL – Several organizations in the town of Phil Campbell have recently been involved in contests to win money for their respective projects and one organization reaped the rewards of success this past Wednesday.

The Phil Campbell Civitans’ Phil Campbell Memorial Park project was a runner up in the Listerhill Credit Union’s “Cash for Your Cause” contest and won $500 for the achievement.

Civitan president Bruce Forman actually found out about the contest through banking with Listerhill Credit Union and decided to enter the Phil Campbell Memorial Park project, which the Civitans are currently working to see completed.

“I knew we could use all the help we could get to raise the funds we need to complete our memorial Park,” Forman said. “As soon as I found our about it, I contacted Andrew Reed, who is a talented, local videographer, and we were able to put the video together in one day and get it submitted for the contest,” Jackson said.

“I was glad to help with the project,” Reed added. “We shot Bruce’s part that morning and I used some other footage I already have to finish it up.

“We promoted the video on Facebook in different groups and on our individual pages and I think we did good considering the competition we had.”

The Phil Campbell Memorial Park project competed against nine other organization’s causes. First place in the contest ultimately went to Central Elementary School.

In addition to the $500 from the contest, the Phil Campbell Memorial Park project will receive $50 extra from Jackson and Reed who won that money personally for creating and submitting the video.

“Winning this money just takes us one step closer to reaching our goal for this project,” Forman said. “We appreciate the support we’ve received so far, including the $5,000 donation we recently received jointly from the Phil Campbell City Council and the Park and Red Department. We just urge everyone who can to donate to this worthy project.”

Forman said the park will be located in downtown Phil Campbell in the grassy area between the Chat ‘n’ Chew and the old barber shop. Tentative plans for the park include a fountain and a walkway made from bricks taken from Phil Campbell High School and the old barber shop and a granite memorial that is already in the works.

“We’re looking to get started as soon as possible with the preliminary work on the park so we can get it completed for our residents to enjoy,” Forman said.

Those interested in donating to the project can do so through the “PC Civitan Memorial” fund established at all CB&S Bank branches or checks can be mailed to Phil Campbell Civitan Memorial Fund, c/o CB&S Bank, 3521 Broad Street, Phil Campbell, AL 35581.

Updates on the park’s progress can also be found at the Phil Campbell Memorial Facebook page.

+ Original article

Tuesday
Oct182011

Phil Campbell Civitan Hopes to Win Cash for Their Cause

waaytv.com | By Erika Odell

The Phil Campbell Civitan is trying to win some money to help build a memorial and park on Broad Street for the town.

They've entered a minute long video to Listerhill's "Cash for a Cause". The video explains why they would like to win the money to build the tornado victim memorial. 

First place will win $3,500 and second place will receive $550.

"It'll just give some healing here for the people in Phil Campbell, especially the memorial side," said Bruce Forman, president of the Phil Campbell Civitan. "Right now, there's no park here in Phil Campbell for our kids to play in, so it'll give our kids a place to come and enjoy themselves."

People may also make donations for the memorial to an CB&S Bank Phil Campbell Civitan Memorial Fund.

To vote for the Phil Campbell Memorial, visit www.youngfreealabama.com/2011-cash-for-your-cause. The contest ends on Thursday, October 27th. 

+ Original article

Tuesday
Sep132011

Get Cash For Your Cause

Courier Journal Online

MUSCLE SHOALS – Young & Free® Alabama, powered by Listerhill Credit Union, today announced their latest philanthropic campaign to help out the community: “Cash for Your Cause,” awarding $4,000 to causes locally.

Online visitors to YoungFreeAlabama.com are invited to create a 60-second video about a cause that means something to them and complete the entry form on website. All videos are posted for viewing. Once the application time frame is over, the public votes online for their favorite. The video with the most votes wins - $3,000 for the cause and $500 for the entrant.

Second and third prizes are $500 for the cause and $100 for the entrant.

The deadline to enter is October 11, 2011. Check out complete details at YoungFreeAlabama.com.

+ Original article

Friday
Apr152011

Zack Cox, 2008 Graduate, in the Top 3 for the 2011 Young & Free Alabama Spokesperson

Brooks High School

Zack Cox, a 2008 Brooks graduate, is in the running to be the  2011 Young and Free Alabama Spokesperson. From April 6-April 18, you can go towww.youngfreealabama.com and cast your vote for Zack!

What is Young and Free Alabama?

Listerhill Credit Union (LCU) launched Young & Free Alabama because they felt strongly that young people were not being well served by large faceless financial institutions. Young people in Alabama didn't have a voice when it came to getting what they needed financially. So they launched a search for a spokesperson and gave that person a platform: the Young & Free Alabama website.

In order to listen to and learn from Alabama youth, they encourage dialogue in many ways on the Young & Free Alabama website. You can:

  • Add comments to the blog
  • Submit events to the calendar
  • Ask our experts a question

Not only does LCU hear directly from you about what's important to you, every interaction on our site earns you extra entries into our monthly prize draws.

+ Original article

Thursday
Apr142011

UNA student runs for spokesperson of Young & Free Alabama  

The Flor-Ala

The elections to decide who will be the 2011 spokesperson for Listerhill Credit Union's Young & Free Alabama program are being held until Monday April 18. Twenty-one-year-old Zack Cox, a junior majoring in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in international business, is the only UNA student campaigning for the position.

He was selected to be one of the final three contestants, along with 19-year-old McKenzie Lockhart and 24-year-old Lee Taylor.

Cox said he has lived most of his life on a budget and hopes his experience will benefit the students he will represent.

"I want my generation to have a better understanding of money, and I want to bring them easy ways to understand how to use their money efficiently," said Cox.

Listerhill established Young & Free Alabama in order to give young adults between ages 18 and 25 representation in the financial institution and educate them about saving and investing.

Listerhill has increased its presence on the campus during the past year by installing a financial guidance center staffed by student workers in the GUC. Chris Anderson, a UNA alumnus was the 2010 spokesperson.

"I would just like to add to what he's done," said Cox. "I want to be even more involved on campus."

The responsibilities of the spokesperson will include speaking at events Listerhill is involved in, maintaining a blog and monitoring feedback from the young people he or she represents. The results of the election will be posted by April 29 and the new spokesperson will start work in May.

To vote for the new spokesperson, visit www.youngfreealabama.com.

+ Original article

 

Friday
Apr082011

Three finalists hope to be face of Listerhill marketing campaign

The Times Daily | By Lisa Singleton-Rickman

Billboards around the Shoals area will soon be featuring the face of the state's Young and Free Alabama campaign spokesperson.

The three finalists in the 2011 Listerhill Credit Union-sponsored competition include Lee Taylor and Zack Cox, both of Florence, and McKenzie Lockhart, of Muscle Shoals.

The winner of the yearlong spokesperson position will be chosen by an online vote. The three are featured on the Listerhill Young and Free Alabama website at youngfreealabama.com.

Listerhill Credit Union has the state's exclusive rights to Young and Free Alabama, a yearlong campaign designed to provide useful financial information for the 18- to 25-year-old population. Other states have the Young and Free program as well. The intention is to not only educate young Alabamians about the importance of having financial knowledge and security, but to educate the public on issues facing that generation.

The winner will hold a full-time position with Listerhill for a year during which time he or she will make speaking engagements, provide online content such as videos and other marketing projects and share ideas with Listerhill officials and the public about how the 18-25 age demographic can be better served.

The three candidates know each other. All three are musicians, which they will use as part of their marketing technique if selected, they said.

“This group of finalists is phenomenal, with their talents and personalities,” said Kristen Mashburn, marketing director for Listerhill Credit Union. “They all have that ‘it' factor. These are people that everyone wants to be around. They're great writers, are musically inclined and are extremely creative, which is important because that creativity will drive the content. And, they already have good relationship within their communities.”

Mashburn added that the 2010 winner, Chris Anderson, 25, is now working for Listerhill as a full-time marketing specialist.

“We don't make that guarantee to all spokespersons but certainly if it works out well, as it did with Chris, there's a good possibility.”

Although the crux of the job is teaching young people how to save, spend and borrow money, Listerhill officials say they don't expect the spokesperson to come in with “economist skills.”

“The winner will receive training and will be very well versed in our programs before they begin sharing the information in other communities,” Mashburn said.

For University of North Alabama student Zack Cox, 21, of Florence, saving money has long been a forte as he's traveled extensively, including three times abroad.

“I have connections in and outside the U.S. and that could work to my advantage in that position,” Cox said. “I know how to save money and, in fact, have fully paid for all my travels, financing my stays each time from my part-time job that I've worked for three years and by doing odd jobs. I'll keep $20 out of a paycheck to live on for two weeks and save the rest. I went to Germany for the summer and my mom gave me five dollars and told me to have fun. I've always had to save my money.”

But he's clear on what the job entails, he said.

“This is a very modern job, with promotion online and on the streets with people,” he said. “The focus is on all aspects of being young and part of this generation. They want someone who can connect with other people, and I can do that.”

Lockhart, 19, is the youngest of the candidates. She described the Young and Free spokesperson position as “one of the coolest jobs I've ever heard of.”

“It's basically a huge marketing campaign for young people who are often overlooked by financial institutions,” she said. “The job would mean informing young adults and even older teens about financial stability and how to achieve it, and all that stuff that we just don't get enough information on.”

As a songwriter and musician, Lockhart said her greatest attribute for the job will be creativity.

“I've spent a year marketing myself and my music, so I feel that experience can only help me in this job. I was the youngest of the applicants and that could be a little intimidating, but I'm up for the challenge. I already have ideas about what I can do. And, the music will definitely help.”

Taylor, 24, is a University of North Alabama graduate, who said his age and experience should work to his advantage in the competition.

“I have real-world work experience and worked my way through college, so the maturity aspect is my strength,” Taylor said. “Being a musician give me a good network.”

Taylor is the guitarist for the band, The Ray Brothers, and also has led music at various churches in the area.

“I'm not nervous in front of people but I also realize that you can be a great musician but that doesn't make you marketing savvy.”

Taylor said his past and current exposure with media may be an advantage for him as well. He works for the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa.

“I love that the job involves (multimedia) and I've got plenty of experience in those areas,” he said. “This whole competition is sort of bittersweet because I'm friends with the other two finalists and they're really great people.”

Listerhill Credit Union has 17 locations throughout north Alabama.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 256-740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.

+ Original article

 

Tuesday
Nov092010

Young & Free Alabama wins MAC Marketing NOW Award

Marketing Association of Credit Unions

Why wait a year to recognize credit unions’ virtual, viral and electronic efforts that are happening now? That single question prompted the Marketing Association of Credit Unions to launch the MAC Marketing NOW awards.

With more credit unions creating and posting their work on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, microsites and developing smartphone apps, the competition is designed to recognize the best work happening right now in the credit union world.

There were 11 categories with hundreds of entries and Listerhill and Young & Free Alabama placed first in the Video category with Chris Anderson's Young & Free Musical video! This entry was also named a Superstar Finalist!

+ MAC Marketing Now Awards

Tuesday
Nov022010

MAC Marketing NOW Finalists Tell Their Stories 

Credit Union Times | By Myriam DiGiovanni

Watch the video

Listerhill CU Connects with Gen Y Through Young & Free

Listerhill Credit Union tapped Young & Free to help connect with Gen Y and the community has embraced spokesperson Chris Anderson.

Developed by British Columbia-based Currency Marketing, Young & Free is a financial management program designed to engage 19-to-25-year-olds to effectively manage their money through a microsite, social media and other nontraditional media.

After an online audition, peers declared Anderson the winner due to his ability to communicate what young people really want from their financial instution in a way that resonated--through music. The reason why Young & Free works is because of its authenticity. Anderson has complete control of everything he delivers; Listerhill CU isn’t behind the scenes pulling the strings. The result is fresh, relevant news, ideas, tips and general information that the target audience can relate to.

As the winner he earned a full-time position worth $30,000 per year, a MacBook Pro computer, a Canon HD camcorder and an iPhone.

As spokesperson Anderson has been busy doing everything from writing blog posts, creating videos and producing at least one segment for the Living Young & Free Show a month to attending credit union events.  
With more than $400 million in assets, the Muscle Shoals, Ala.-based credit union is one of the smallest credit unions to join the Young & Free family.

+ Original article

Thursday
Jul222010

A Communal Approach to Drive Membership  

CreditUnions.com | by Aaron Pugh

Listerhill Credit Union seamlessly integrates its “Pick 5” program into a tier of community-oriented initiatives, boosting membership engagement, increasing financial literacy, and addressing Gen Y’s financial concerns.

When Listerhill Credit Union ($471M, Sheffield, AL) gets rolling on an idea, good things happen for everyone involved. So when the credit union decided to launch a growth initiative, it had no trouble recruiting resources from within its own walls and the community it serves.

“Everything has kind of snowballed and it all keeps building,” says Amber Morgan James, director of business development. Already spearheading the Alabama segment of “Young & Free,” a national Gen Y-oriented program, the credit union recently turned its sights on a membership drive intended to benefit Gen Y as well as its entire community base. 

“We wanted to get in the school systems and get the financial literacy concept out there, but at the same time, have some type of reward or benefit for the school,” James says. Additionally, the program needed a way to secure deeper member relationships.  

“Members may only have a share saving account or an auto loan,” says James, echoing the concerns of many credit unions in a nationally deposit-heavy environment. “For members that felt their needs were better served at another institution or a bank, we wanted to make them realize we are just as competitive and offer the same services.” 

To encourage deeper relationships, the credit union created “Pick 5,” an all-inclusive account that bundles a share account, a checking account, a debit card, online banking, and eStatements. New members, of course, can take advantage of the array of products. But the credit union is also reaching out to existing members who are less connected. 

Members earn 5% APY on their first $1,000 in savings. “We wanted to reinforce the importance of saving money during this crucial time,” James says. And for every new account opened or account transferred, the credit union is donating $50 dollars to a local public, private, or collegiate school of the member’s choice. 

“The whole program focuses on member retention and making a positive impact on the community while helping members obtain the most out of their accounts,” James says. 

The credit union is partnering with area schools to increase financial literacy and promote better money management. In this relationship, the credit union and the students benefit, but Listerhill also wants to give back to the schools. The Pick 5 initiative is a perfect way to do this. The credit unions is donating $5,000 to the school that opens the most Pick 5 accounts per percentage of student body and five runners up will receive $1,000 each. 

So far, the top contender – Hamilton High School – has nearly one Pick 5 account per every five students. “We have a lot of those [participants] in the smaller communities,” James says. “They’ve probably done better because, to them, the money was really important.” 

To get the word out about the initiative, the schools sent flyers home with students and recruited faculty and students to open accounts. Listerhill representatives also visited schools and its employees took up a large part of the promotional torch. 

Employees, incentivized by group benefits such as a company-wide picnic (or “hootenanny”), used a grassroots approach to promote Pick 5, James says. They reached out to friends, family, and neighbors to open accounts. 

Since its inception in April 2009, the Pick 5 program has generated 983 new members and 1,666 opened accounts. The promotion will continue through the end of October, but it’s not just Pick 5 accounts that are benefiting from the credit union’s deeper relationship with area schools. The credit union’s product geared toward 15- to 29-year-olds – The Hill – is marketed to Gen Y segments via Young & Free promotions, which include a free concert and VIP pass giveaways. The addition of the Pick 5 promotion has boosted enrollment in Hill accounts by roughly 400. 

“There’s a benefit for every member,” James says. The appeal of the promotion transcends all age barriers. Even the retired segment of the community, with kids or grandkids in school, wants to give back, she says.

+ Original article

Friday
Jul092010

UNA, Listerhill Create Center for Financial Literacy Photos

Friday
Jul092010

BUILDING A DEGREE OF Financial Literacy 

Courier Journal

FLORENCE – In an age when personal financial hardship and increasing debt burdens are all too commonplace, the University of North Alabama and Listerhill Credit Union are partnering to create the Center for Financial Literacy on the UNA campus.

The student-operated center – the first of its kind in the region – will be designed to offer a casual commons area where students and community young people can receive sound financial advice in a comfortable peer-to-peer environment. Finance, economics, and education students operating the center will receive professional financial training by Listerhill management.

The Center for Financial Literacy will also include a student-operated credit union – The Hill – offering a variety of financial products and services for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.

“The Hill and the Center for Financial Literacy will be anything but a traditional branch,” said Brad Green, president and CEO of Listerhill. “It will be a fun and innovative branch destination that will employ and be operated primarily by students of the university. This is definitely a concept that is unique to this partnership between UNA and Listerhill.”

The Hill and the Center for Financial Literacy will both begin operation in the Guillot University Center this fall.

Dr. William G. Cale, UNA president, said the university is seeing more than ever the need to equip students with an in-depth knowledge of personal finance.

“In today’s economy students are graduating from college with more debt than ever,” he said, “so they’re financially burdened even before their careers begin. They need to know how to wisely manage that debt and how to wisely invest their money before losing control financially. With resources like the ones we’re offering in partnership with Listerhill, I believe students at UNA will have a strong financial foothold by graduation.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average loan debt of graduating college seniors in 2008 was $23,200. The average loan debt for UNA graduating seniors in 2008 was $19,839.

“We are delighted to join UNA in this effort to equip young people with the knowledge and concepts needed for sound financial futures,” Green said. “We hope that the knowledge shared there will greatly impact and transform the financial futures of students and others across this community.”

Listerhill’s partnership with UNA includes a $625,000 gift toward the university’s new Academic Center and Student Commons, where the Center for Financial Literacy and The Hill will be housed upon the building’s completion. The gift is the single largest corporate gift in UNA history.

In addition, the credit union over the next 10 years will make the same investments made to launch, develop and maintain any new branch location.

Cale added that the new level of partnership will be significant for UNA as it will help establish new academic certification opportunities for business and education students and will assist in the College of Business’s progress toward AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation.

Over the past 20 years Listerhill has made several significant gifts to UNA, totaling more than $145,000. The credit union has also hosted 28 student interns from UNA and currently employs 36 students and 46 alumni among its staff.

For more information on the Center for Financial Literacy and The Hill, visit www.youngfreealabama.co m, or contact Green at 256- 314-6512 or brad@listerhill.com, or Chris Horn, UNA director of corporate and foundation relations, at 256-765-5082 or chorn@una.edu.

+ Original article

Thursday
Jul082010

UNA, Listerhill to open financial center

Times Daily | By Michelle Rupe Eubanks

Bryan Hall will graduate from the University of North Alabama next spring with more than $20,000 in student loan debt.

“I’m going to need to know how to budget my money when I go out into the real world, especially when it comes time for me to buy my first house,” he said. “How am I supposed to save money now, when I don’t have anything to save?”

Hall said he plans to be among those who take advantage of the help offered by the Center for Financial Literacy that will open this fall on the UNA campus thanks to a partnership between the university and Listerhill Credit Union.

The student-operated center, which will be the first of its kind in the region, was designed with student financial needs in mind, said UNA alum and Listerhill President Brad Green.

“It will be a fun and innovative branch destination that will employ and be operated primarily by students of the university,” he said. “This is definitely a concept that is unique to this partnership between UNA and Listerhill.”

The service also will provide a student-operated credit union, which will be called The Hill.

Green said it will be a casual environment that will allow students to do some self-service banking or take advantage of the students and director on hand to answer questions about banking or personal finance. The director also will be employed as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Business, he said.

UNA President Bill Cale said today’s tough economy emphasizes the need for a sound financial background.

“The average financial obligations of a student graduating from UNA are around $20,000, which is close to the national average of $23,000,” he said. “We understand the financial situation students find themselves in. We’re all coping with the reality of being able to pay for a college education, which we all agree is important.”

In the short term, the center as well as The Hill will be in the Guillot University Center. Ultimately, however, the two will move to a new Academic Center and Student Commons. Listerhill on Wednesday contributed $625,000 toward constructing the new facility. Plans for the building have not been finalized.

“We’re contemplating enlisting the help of the students in planning what the new center will look like in the building because we do want it to meet their needs and continue to be interactive,” Green said.

+ Original article

Thursday
Jul082010

UNA, Listerhill Create Center for Financial Literacy

Shoals Insider

FLORENCE, Ala. – In an age when personal financial hardship and increasing debt burdens are all too commonplace, the University of North Alabama and Listerhill Credit Union are partnering to create the Center for Financial Literacy on the UNA campus.

The student-operated center – the first of its kind in the region – will be designed to offer a casual commons area where students and community young people can receive sound financial advice in a comfortable peer-to-peer environment. Finance, economics and education students operating the center will receive professional financial training by Listerhill management.

The Center for Financial Literacy will also include a student-operated credit union – The Hill – offering a variety of financial products and services for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.

“The Hill and the Center for Financial Literacy will be anything but a traditional branch,” said Brad Green, president and CEO of Listerhill. “It will be a fun and innovative branch destination that will employ and be operated primarily by students of the university. This is definitely a concept that is unique to this partnership between UNA and Listerhill.”

The Hill and the Center for Financial Literacy will both begin operation in the Guillot University Center this fall.
Dr. William G. Cale, UNA president, said the university is seeing now, more than ever, the need to equip students with an in-depth knowledge of personal finance.

“In today’s economy,” he said, “students are graduating from college with more debt than ever, so they’re financially burdened even before their careers begin. They need to know how to wisely manage that debt, how to wisely invest their money before losing control financially. With resources like the ones we’re offering in partnership with Listerhill, I believe students at UNA will have a strong financial foothold by graduation.”
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average loan debt of graduating college seniors in 2008 was $23,200. The average loan debt for UNA graduating seniors in 2008 was $19,839.

“We are delighted to join UNA in this effort to equip young people with knowledge and concepts needed for sound financial futures,” Green said. “We hope that the knowledge shared there will greatly impact and transform the financial futures of students and others across this community. We are anxious to begin this effort to educate and encourage students to manage, save and borrow wisely to take control of their financial futures while they’re young.”

Listerhill’s partnership with UNA includes a $625,000 gift toward the university’s new Academic Center and Student Commons, where the Center for Financial Literacy and The Hill will be housed upon the building’s completion. The gift is the single largest corporate gift in UNA history.

In addition, the credit union, over the next 10 years, will make the same investments made to launch, develop and maintain any new branch location. The total investment is comparable to the investment the credit union makes to open any new branch location for its membership. “We want to reach out to the students at this university and in this community to help them learn basic personal financial management, to save early and borrow wisely and affordably,” Green said.

“This new partnership between UNA and Listerhill isn’t really that new,” Cale said. “We’ve had a longtime relationship that we’re now taking to the next level.”

Cale added that the new level of partnership will be significant for UNA as it will help establish new academic certification opportunities for business and education students and will assist in the College of Business’s progress toward AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation.
Over the past 20 years, Listerhill has made several significant gifts to UNA, totaling more than $145,000. The credit union has also hosted 28 student interns from UNA and currently employs 36 students and 46 alumni among its staff. In addition, Listerhill has worked with the UNA Office of Continuing Studies and Outreach to help meet the program’s leadership and management training needs.

For more information on the Center for Financial Literacy and The Hill, visit www.youngfreealabama.com, or contact Green at 256-314-6512 or brad@listerhill.com, or Chris Horn, UNA director of corporate and foundation relations, at 256-765-5082 or chorn@una.edu.  — Shoals Insider-Keeping You Informed

+ Original article

Wednesday
Jul072010

UNA, Listerhill Create Center for Financial Literacy

University of North Alabama Press Center

FLORENCE, Ala. – In an age when personal financial hardship and increasing debt burdens are all too commonplace, the University of North Alabama and Listerhill Credit Union are partnering to create the Center for Financial Literacy on the UNA campus.

The student-operated center – the first of its kind in the region – will be designed to offer a casual commons area where students and community young people can receive sound financial advice in a comfortable peer-to-peer environment. Finance, economics and education students operating the center will receive professional financial training by Listerhill management.

The Center for Financial Literacy will also include a student-operated credit union – The Hill – offering a variety of financial products and services for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.

“The Hill and the Center for Financial Literacy will be anything but a traditional branch,” said Brad Green, president and CEO of Listerhill. “It will be a fun and innovative branch destination that will employ and be operated primarily by students of the university. This is definitely a concept that is unique to this partnership between UNA and Listerhill.”

The Hill and the Center for Financial Literacy will both begin operation in the Guillot University Center this fall.

Dr. William G. Cale, UNA president, said the university is seeing now, more than ever, the need to equip students with an in-depth knowledge of personal finance.

“In today’s economy,” he said, “students are graduating from college with more debt than ever, so they’re financially burdened even before their careers begin. They need to know how to wisely manage that debt, how to wisely invest their money before losing control financially. With resources like the ones we’re offering in partnership with Listerhill, I believe students at UNA will have a strong financial foothold by graduation.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average loan debt of graduating college seniors in 2008 was $23,200. The average loan debt for UNA graduating seniors in 2008 was $19,839.

“We are delighted to join UNA in this effort to equip young people with knowledge and concepts needed for sound financial futures,” Green said. “We hope that the knowledge shared there will greatly impact and transform the financial futures of students and others across this community. We are anxious to begin this effort to educate and encourage students to manage, save and borrow wisely to take control of their financial futures while they’re young.”

Listerhill’s partnership with UNA includes a $625,000 gift toward the university’s new Academic Center and Student Commons, where the Center for Financial Literacy and The Hill will be housed upon the building’s completion. The gift is the single largest corporate gift in UNA history.

In addition, the credit union, over the next 10 years, will make the same investments made to launch, develop and maintain any new branch location. The total investment is comparable to the investment the credit union makes to open any new branch location for its membership. “We want to reach out to the students at this university and in this community to help them learn basic personal financial management, to save early and borrow wisely and affordably,” Green said.

“This new partnership between UNA and Listerhill isn’t really that new,” Cale said. “We’ve had a longtime relationship that we’re now taking to the next level.”

Cale added that the new level of partnership will be significant for UNA as it will help establish new academic certification opportunities for business and education students and will assist in the College of Business’s progress toward AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation.

Over the past 20 years, Listerhill has made several significant gifts to UNA, totaling more than $145,000. The credit union has also hosted 28 student interns from UNA and currently employs 36 students and 46 alumni among its staff. In addition, Listerhill has worked with the UNA Office of Continuing Studies and Outreach to help meet the program’s leadership and management training needs.

For more information on the Center for Financial Literacy and The Hill, visit www.youngfreealabama.com, or contact Green at 256-314-6512 or brad@listerhill.com, or Chris Horn, UNA director of corporate and foundation relations, at 256-765-5082 or chorn@una.edu.

+ Original article

Wednesday
Jul072010

UNA announces large donation for new financial literacy center

WAFF 48 News | By Nick Lough

FLORENCE, AL (WAFF)- Wednesday, the University of North Alabama announced the school's largest donation ever by a corporation.

ListerHill Credit Union is donating $625,000 to the university for a new financial literacy center.

This is another big announcement for UNA president Dr. William Cale, who revealed earlier this year a record-breaking 6 million dollar grant for a new science and technology center.

"This is the largest gift ever received by UNA from a corporation or a business," said Cale.

School administrators say the new literacy center, or "Hill", will provide much more than just a learning facility.

"There will be students who are majoring in business who will be trained to work in the credit union, who will provide not only credit union services, but educational training to other students on campus," said Cale.

ListerHill's director will be a part of the school's business program, and students like UNA senior Brian Hall, are excited take advantage of the resources the center will have to offer.

"Most students get 20-grand in debt without knowing how to pay that off, without having any money to save to begin with. That's going to be a big part of it," said Hall.

The "Hill" will begin taking applicants this fall, and will start operations this August.

The plan is for the credit union to be placed in a building along with a new commons area and food court in the center of campus at UNA.

©2010 WAFF. All rights reserved.

+ Original article

Friday
Jan152010

UNA grad wins Listerhill 'Young & Free' contest

The Flora-Ala | By Lucy Berry

Chris Anderson, a 2008 UNA graduate, was recently voted as Listerhill Credit Union's first Alabama Young & Free Representative and spokesperson for the 25 and under crowd.

Anderson, 25, will work to advise college students about finances, saving for the future and using money wisely in the current economy.

"I want to help save the world one penny at a time," said Anderson. "My job is to give young people advice and tips on what to do with their money."

For the next year, Anderson will be a paid employee of Listerhill Credit Union as he educates young people, attends local events and creates videos for his blog.

Anderson competed with finalists Goose Gossett, 22, of Florence and Bryan Hall, 23, of Russellville, and ultimately took 47 percent of the total votes.

"I spent every second of every day campaigning," Anderson said. "The competition was really scary but also really good."

For Anderson, who shoots wedding videos for his business Up Down Media, the new job could not have come at a better time for him, as he and his wife are expecting a child in the coming months.

Anderson studied commercial music and business administration at UNA and attributes much of his success to the skills he learned in college.

"The communication and critical thinking skills I learned at UNA prepared me for this job," said Anderson.

Anderson will participate in different UNA events throughout the next year as he gives advice and shares tips about money management.

Each month, Listerhill Credit Union will offer contests and prizes to those who follow Anderson's blog and sign up for e-updates.

"I want UNA students to check out the Listerhill website, get involved and have a lot of fun," said Anderson.

Listerhill Credit Union is accepting t-shirt designs for the Dress the Hill t-shirt contest until Jan. 29. For more information about the contest or to see Anderson's blog, please visit www.youngfreealabama.com.

+ Original article

Wednesday
Nov252009

Russellville native a finalist in competition

 

The Franklin County Times | By Nathan Strickland

Listerhill Credit Union's Young and Free Alabama program is wrapping up.

With only nine days left, the final three competitors are scrambling to grab votes at all costs.

Franklin County has produced one of the final three contestants.

Russellville native Bryan Hall has spent most of his career speaking in front of big crowds.

"I love speaking to people, I'm what you call an entertainer," Hall said. "I enjoy making people's lives better in anyway I can."

Hall, 23, is currently attending the University of North Alabama where he is currently double majoring in theater and film production. Hall's current job is in UNA's scene shop where he designs and builds sets for theater productions.

"I believe this job will give me more speaking and production experience that I can use in the future to further advance my career after I finish college," he said.

The Young and Free Alabama program offers young people, between the ages of 18 and 25, the chance to make their voices heard. The program picks one person in this age group to go to different places to speak on behalf of Listerhill Credit Union. The presentation will include programs and benefits for young people who have an unorthodox way of banking.

"I think people should vote for me because I can be fun and informative," Hall said.

"I have also been a member at Listerhill Credit Union for about 12 years and I think I can have an impact on people my age."

The program hopes to draw younger generations into a better banking experience.

This program has been successful for other credit unions in South Carolina, Texas and even in Alberta, Canada.

Votes can be cast online at www.youngfreealabama.com.

+ Original article