Thursday, June 5, 2008

CO-OP Network's text-messaging service helps locate ATMs

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (6/5/08)--Credit union members wanting to find the nearest surcharge-free ATM nearest can text their location to a number at CO-OP Network or download a database of ATM locations directly to their personal navigation devices, according to CO-OP Network.

The network announced it is doubling the options members have for finding surcharge-free ATMs. Now cardholders can text their location to 692667 (MYCOOP) or download the database as well as use CO-OP's current phone and online ATM locator functions.

How does it work? Cardholders text their location--address, intersection or ZIP code--to the MYCOOP number on any mobile phone. In less than one minute, the service replies with the CO-OP Network's surcharge-free ATMs nearest the location. To find additional locations, the user simply replies with "MORE."

"One of the biggest misconceptions is that credit unions are inconvenient," said Stan Hollen, president/CEO of CO-OP Financial Services, the network's parent organization.

"By offering services such as text messaging and GPS (global positioning system) navigational downloads, credit unions immediately increase their convenience and display more technology know-how than some of the largest banks," he said.

Members with a personal navigation device such as Garmin will be able to download the network's ATM database through a link on www.co-opnetwork.org, planned for later this month.
Once the database loads, members can receive turn-by-turn directions to drive to the nearest CO-OP Network ATM. The database will be updated monthly.

courtesy of cuna.org

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