Contact: Cheryl Tessier, APR, 608-695-6510, ctessier@finesseper.net
Tania Widish, 608-243-5000×4701, tania.widish@summitcreditunion.com
‘Red SHOES’ program offers guidance, tools, support
MADISON, Wis. – Summit Credit Union announced today the launch of “Red SHOES”, an exclusive, new financial wellness program designed for people who are ready to commit to financial improvement. Over the past two years, Summit has created and then piloted Red SHOES, which offers well-defined steps, tools, encouragement and support to make smart money decisions and to achieve financial goals.
“We know our members look to us for financial guidance and for ways to make more things possible in their lives,” said Kim Sponem, CEO/president at Summit Credit Union. “We also know many people prefer to make changes within a defined program, so we built one.” Sponem said it took approximately 18 months of credit-union-wide innovation and collaboration to create Red SHOES and less than 72 hours to fill the 100 initial openings for the pilot program Oct. 2012 through Jan. 2013.
Responses were very positive among the pilot participants. “As a returning college student, I really found the information, tips and guidance I received via the Red SHOES program to be instrumental,” said Kara Taylor, a Red SHOES pilot participant. “The Red SHOES workbook was incredibly helpful as a tool for tracking my finances and documenting my progress. With the guidance provided by Red SHOES, I will have paid off more than 75% of my credit card debt, which will really help my finances when I start school in the fall.”
While the program is available to any adult who is ready to succeed financially, regardless of age or gender, it’s designed specifically to appeal to and serve women ages 20-50. “We have a particular passion to support women in their financial success,” says Sponem. “Women are over-represented in poverty statistics, leading single-parent households and providing unpaid caregiving. It’s critical that women know, specifically, how to create wealth that aligns with their life goals and priorities. The Red SHOES system offers that.”
Red SHOES includes a workbook, an online financial boutique that includes interactive tools, inspiring messages and education, plus access to a Red SHOES coach and exclusive member events. All combined, the program gives members well-defined steps, tools, encouragement and support to make smart money decisions and to achieve financial goals.
Registration is ongoing and open to credit union members ages 18 and up. There is a $20 enrollment fee and a monthly fee of $5. To learn more and to sign up for Red SHOES, please visit www.summitcreditunion.com/shoes or call (608) 243-5000×2444.
About Summit Credit Union:
Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone in Wisconsin. Summit holds $1.8 billion in assets and has more than 128,000 members with a total of 23 locations throughout the Madison and Milwaukee areas. For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call (608) 243-5000 or (800) 236-5560.
