PRIME Joins the Montana Credit Union League: What This Means for Credit Unions

In an industry where financial institutions often struggle to connect with audiences (let's be honest – how many banks do you follow on social media?), credit unions face unique marketing challenges that require specialized solutions.

That's why we're thrilled to announce some big news: PRIME has officially joined the Montana Credit Union League!

Why This Partnership Matters

PRIME has worked in the credit union space for over a decade, helping organizations navigate the complex world of digital marketing. We've seen the challenges credit unions face: competing with big banks, connecting with younger demographics, and creating marketing that actually drives membership growth.

What helps set us apart is our true partnership approach. Unlike templated solutions that offer minimal support, we operate as an extension of your credit union's team — providing responsive communication, timely execution, and consistent follow-through.

Our clients, like the Montana Educators Credit Union (MECU), consistently highlight how much they value our organized planning process and quick response times. We understand that strong communication isn't just a nice-to-have — it's essential for credit unions that need reliable marketing partners who deliver results.

This partnership formalizes what we've been doing successfully for years: providing credit unions with marketing strategies that work specifically for their unique position in the financial world.

Not Your Average Financial Marketing

If there's one thing we've learned in our years working with credit unions, it's that cookie-cutter marketing approaches simply don't cut it. While the big banks can throw enormous budgets at generic campaigns, credit unions need something different.

Our approach focuses on:

1. Targeted Strategies That Drive Real Results

We don't believe in marketing for marketing's sake. Every campaign, social post, and website we create is designed with clear goals in mind – whether that's increasing membership applications, driving loan products, building community, or boosting engagement with existing members.

When MECU was struggling with their inflexible, templated site, PRIME developed a customized website that seamlessly integrated with their third-party online banking platform. This targeted approach addressed MECU's specific needs for local searchability, design flexibility, and marketing automation tools — creating a sturdy foundation for membership growth at a price point ideal for a small credit union.

2. Creative That Connects With Younger Audiences

Let's face it – attracting younger members is crucial for any credit union's long-term success. Our creative team knows how to speak to these audiences authentically, without the cringe factor that often comes with financial institutions trying to seem "hip."

PRIME helped Rocky Mountain Credit Union (RMCU) tap into a younger demographic and lower its average member age by 16 years, helping the credit union to increase its assets by 135% and membership by 79% within 10 years.

3. Data-Driven Tools That Scale

One of the biggest challenges for credit unions is doing more with less. Our data-driven approach helps credit unions identify the most effective channels and messages, allowing them to scale their marketing efforts efficiently.

PRIME's strategic shift in RMCU's marketing approach included moving budgets from traditional media (newspapers, print, direct mailers, and radio) to more relevant channels like Instagram and email that were far more successful in engaging younger audiences.

This data-driven reallocation helped RMCU grow from $170M in assets in 2014 to $400M in 2024, and increase membership from 14,000 to 25,000 members in the same period.

What We Bring to the Table

As an official member of the Montana Credit Union League, we're excited to offer our full suite of services to credit unions looking for a marketing partner who understands their specific needs:

• Marketing Strategy & Consulting: From comprehensive marketing plans to specific campaign strategies, we help credit unions make the most of their marketing dollars.
• Content Marketing: As we've seen from our own experience (and mentioned in our previous blog post), financial tips and educational content drive significant engagement for financial institutions. We create content that brings real value to members.
• Brand Development & Creative: Whether you're looking for a complete rebrand or just refreshing your visual identity, our creative team develops brands that stand out in the crowded financial space.
• Paid Media: From Google Ads to social media campaigns, we develop and manage paid media strategies that target the right audiences with the right messages.
• Web Design: Your website is often the first impression potential members have of your credit union. We create websites that not only look great but drive conversions and applications.

Community-Focused, Just Like You

One of the reasons we love working with credit unions is our shared commitment to community. Like the credit unions we serve, PRIME has deep roots in Montana and understands the importance of local relationships and community impact.

We believe in highlighting these community connections in marketing. Whether it's celebrating local businesses that bank with you or showcasing your community initiatives, these stories resonate with audiences and differentiate credit unions from the big banks.

Ready to Transform Your Credit Union's Marketing?

Whether you're looking for a long-term marketing partner or need help with a specific campaign or project, our team is ready to create something meaningful for your members.

As we continue to grow our presence in the credit union space, we're excited to bring our decade of financial marketing experience to more institutions across Montana and beyond.

Interested in learning more about how PRIME can help your credit union grow? Let's chat and see if we’re a good fit!