Credit Union Overview

What Today’s Members Are Looking For

Baby Boomers – the 77 million individuals who, collectively, stand to inherit $7 trillion* - represent the credit union movement’s largest future economic segment. The vast majority of these individuals share the need to develop a financial strategy that can help to preserve their assets and provide for a comfortable retirement. The oldest members of the Baby Boomer generation have begun shifting their focus to financial strategies that help sustain an income throughout retirement, and transferring assets to children and grandchildren.

So, like most of the more than 80 million credit union members nationwide, your members want financial advice. The kind of advice that enables individuals, families and business owners to manage their finances proactively and from a trusted source. This requires that you expand the services available to your members to include comprehensive financial planning.**

The problem is, as a non-profit organization, the capital and resources may not be available to develop these services on your own. Even if they are, the expense of doing so might compromise the current services and product offerings your members have come to count on.

Integrated Partners Has a Solution

In becoming the primary financial institution for your members, you will need to develop your own plan – one that maps out a process for integrating comprehensive financial services. At Integrated Partners (IP), we focus on helping partners do exactly that – integrate successful, proven processes. Most other entities looking to partner with credit unions focus solely on the initial preparations that are needed to distribute financial products. What we do is different. Our unique practice management approach is one that is relationship –oriented, locally supported, and planning driven.

Become a Partner - A Consultative Approach

When you partner with Northeast Planning, you’ll find we serve your members the way you do. We focus on advising members, not peddling products. We emphasize service-based consultations, not transactions.

Hands-On Local Support

We recruit and retain the types of financial advisors you want working for your members – experienced, professional, knowledgeable and local. As part of the IP program, we’ll dedicate a representative, whom you approve, and help you position him or her with your employees and members. He or she will become an integral part of your commitment to understanding members’ needs and providing exceptional service. This coordinated effort gives members access to comprehensive planning services with just one convenient stop.

Turnkey Marketing Plans

As part of our proven approach, we help you create a comprehensive marketing plan that is both proactive and long term. Better still, we can help you implement it – assisting you with everything from marketing letters and brochures to client appreciation events and educational seminars. We are positioned to promote credit union cross-sale opportunities whenever appropriate, as well as new member enrollments.

Training, Financial Planning and Compliance

Northeast Planning Advisors have the distinction of being among the most productive in the industry. Using a holistic, five-step planning process, our representatives encompass the complete financial situation of your members. Advisors have access to a full range of training and financial planning tools that support members’ needs.

At Northeast Planning, we understand the strict regulations that you need to comply with in order to service your members. Accordingly, our representatives work in compliance with NASD, SEC and FINRA requirements when offering or discussing products, promotional materials, planning tools and advisory services.

Practice Management Approach

We believe communication is an essential component to running a well-managed business. Our Advisors have access to broker/dealer service systems, which help them monitor and communicate account performance to members. In addition, monthly reports are provided to credit union management as to the activity and progress made.

On an ongoing basis, we will provide representative supervision to ensure that the program and Financial Advisor continue to meet compliance, activity and performance expectations.

The IP Process

• Step 1: Credit Union Profile – Invaluable assessment tool for determining fit and opportunities for growth
• Step 2: Preliminary Proposal/Acceptance – Review process for establishing partnership
• Step 3: Credit Union Letter of Intent – Clarifies roles and responsibilities prior to partnership agreement
• Step 4; Credit Union Member/SEG Profile – Assessment process of membership, product and service offerings of credit union
• Step 5: Advisor Selection – Joint selection process in appointing Northeast Planning Advisor
• Step 6: Letter of Understanding – Outlines the responsibilities and services agreed upon
• Step 7: Member Access Agreement – Solidifies terms of agreement
• Step 8: Marketing Plan, Office Setup, Training – Final recommendations and detailed action plan, set up of office, and training of staff
• Step 9: Begin Operations!