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Friends of Coal Creek's Young Poets Competition deadline is Feb. 15

Posted by Casey Lyons on February 10, 2025 at 9:26am

At Friends of Coal Creek, we are big believers in the power of art to connect hearts to places. And so, in collaboration with the Lafayette Art’s Council, we are proud to announce a Young Poets Competition. The theme is Transitions and entrants are asked to find inspiration in the areas of Coal Creek where one type of land, ideas or themes meets another.

The submission window is open now through February 15, 2025, and is open to all middle- and high school students who live or attend school within the Coal Creek communities (Lafayette, Erie, Louisville, Superior and Golden).

The contest has cash prizes for first ($100), second ($50), and third ($30) place winners in four categories:

High school - Spanish
High school - English
Middle school - Spanish
Middle school - English.

ZBassSpeaks, Lafayette’s poet laureate, is our esteemed judge.

“It is with great honor that I get to be part of this project, and even more so that I will get to hear from a new generation of writers,” ZBassSpeaks says. “I look forward to hearing your voices transcribed in my favorite art form. Your participation gives me great confidence that I will be blown away by your unique styles and views of our world. I encourage you to bring everything to the table and I implore you to be as expressive as you feel necessary. Good luck!”

Prizes will be awarded at an event at the Lafayette Public Library in April, 2025, which is National Poetry Month.

See here for full submission guidelines. If you know a talented middle- or high-schooler who has a way with words, please send them our way and help us share and celebrate the ways our young poets see our creek.

Friends of Coal Creek is a local nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the habitat value and improving the resilience of Coal Creek and the communities along its run.

Denver-Based Credit Union Launches Kasasa®, Changes the Face of Local Banking

Posted by Crystal T on March 4, 2011 at 10:00am

Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union asks consumers, “Do you Kasasa?” as it becomes the first financial institution in Colorado to launch the country’s most innovative financial products, offered exclusively for law enforcement professionals and their families.

Kasasa^® is a new brand of free checking and savings accounts that pays consumers to use their account with what interests them most—high interest. These accounts, combined with the personal service that only community financial institutions can deliver, are offering law enforcement professionals a better checking account option than the mega bank experience.

“Consumers deserve to wake up to happier days of banking and leave behind the nightmare of mega bank fees and mistreatment. We are pleased to be the first financial institution in the state of Colorado to offer these unique products,” said Christine Wiley, CEO at Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement FCU. “Kasasa delivers what research shows people really want but believe they can’t have—great financial products with the personal service of a community based financial institution.”

Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement FCU is offering its law enforcement professional membership base Kasasa Cash™. All Kasasa products are free accounts, with no minimum balance, no monthly fees, free online banking and nationwide ATM fee refunds.

Kasasa Cash - A free checking account that pays high interest in cash every month.

To receive the Kasasa account benefits, account holders are asked to meet easy monthly qualifications including receiving an e-statement, using a debit card and making an electronic transaction (such as direct deposit). If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, the credit union will alert the individual, who will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

“Extensive research has shown us that consumers would prefer to do business with community financial institutions, but feel they would lose access to products,” continued Wiley. “Kasasa is opening people’s eyes to a new banking model where no sacrifices are necessary. It’s a win-win because account holders get innovative products and personalized service.”

In 2009, Kasasa was piloted in six other markets across the U.S. In just the first two months of offering Kasasa, participating community financial institutions reported growth rates upwards of 150% on new account openings and 372% in deposits at institutions focused on deposit growth.

Kasasa is being introduced with an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. It comes to life through a fresh mix of eye-popping advertising, the likes of which exceed the typical mega bank’s high-budget programs. The ads feature America’s top slam poets https://www.kasasa.com/news-and-media/advertising riffing lyrical threads around the theme of “Do you Kasasa?”

Kasasa is distributed to Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement FCU from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the mega banks.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit www.rmlefcu.org or www.kasasa.com/RMLEFCU.

Come check out Temple Grandin School!

Posted by Mark Inglis on May 10, 2011 at 2:15pm

The new Temple Grandin School (TGS) will hold its Open House and invites family and community members to come and learn about our program for strengths-based, real world learning on Thursday morning, May 12 @ 8:00 a.m. at the Bridge School auditorium at 6717 S. Boulder Rd, Boulder, CO. A link to Google maps is included below.

David Hazen and Jen Wilger, Co-founders of Temple Grandin School, will take you through a “day in the life” of a TGS student and an overview of TGS’ program features; learn about TGS’ challenging academics, the 4+1 program, real-world experience and mentoring, integrated social skills and more. They will share about the program elements and research based approaches to learning that TGS brings to students with Asperger’s Syndrome and other similar learning profiles. More importantly, research is now showing how these features of education are aspects of how we ALL learn best. Come learn more!

Also, check out the latest interview with Jen Wilger at: http://yellowscene.com/2011/04/15/jennifer-wilger/

Come learn, ask questions about TGS and how your student might benefit from an individualized TGS education. Children are welcome. Light snacks/refreshments will be provided.

While not required, an RSVP to info@templegrandinschool.org or 303-544-7363 will help us better prepare.

Map to Open House

Mark Inglis

Director of Admissions

Temple Grandin School

Office: 303-554-7363

http://www.templegrandinschool.org

Is Online High School Right for Your Student?

Posted by Crystal Thomas on February 23, 2010 at 11:55am

Over the past several years, Colorado families have been the
beneficiary of the growth of online high school options. Colorado
online high schools have proven to be a valuable education choice for
many students and their families who are looking for an alternative to
the traditional school setting, whether because of learning style, life
or family circumstances. For many, virtual high schools have meant the
difference between giving up on school or graduating.

Whenstudents and their families begin to explore high school courses
online, what they find attractive is a quality education that features:

individualized learning plans,

courses tailored to students’ specific learning styles and levels,

flexible scheduling, and

real-time monitoring of student progress and success

“In a traditional school, time is fixed and learning is variable.At Provost Academy, learning is fixed and time is variable,” says Audie
Rubin, Executive Director of Provost Academy (www.co.provostacademy.com), a state-authorized public virtual high school that is free of charge to residents of Colorado.

Asa result of online educations ability to cater to the specific learning
needs of a student and its flexibility, Colorado’s online high schools
have been attracting a variety of students including those:

Seeking a more challenging learning environment,

Needing support and tutoring in order to stay on track for graduation,

Looking for a learning option that accounts for their personal learning style,

Trying to balance a full work schedule with their classes in order to help support the family, or

Pursuing long-term professional goals (such as becoming a pro athlete, actor or musician) while still trying to complete their highschool degree.

Once a family or student has determined that online high school maybe appropriate for their situation, choosing the one that meets the
needs of the student can be a challenge. Provost Academy Colorado, one
of the most trusted online high schools in Colorado, has put together a
simple assessment to determine if online learning is right for a
student (just put a check next to the boxes that are appropriate):

Academics
□ Consistently works ahead of the rest of the class
□ Consistently falls behind the rest of the class
□ Wants to take a classes that are not offered at his or her current school

School Life
□ Has been, or is being, bullied
□ Doesn’t enjoy the social component of school
□ School doesn’t align with family values

Life Outside of School
□ Attends time-consuming elite athletic, arts or music practice
□ Has a part-time job that contributes to the household income
□ Has significant family obligations (e.g., caring for a child, grandparent, brother or sister, or parent)

Personality
□ Takes pride in individualism
□ Often takes the path less traveled
□ Works well independently

Scoring: Add up the total checkmarks and use the guide below to see whether online high school is the best choice.

8-11 Points: Perfect Fit
Traditionalschool may be too rigid for your child. Whether due to their academic
level, outside commitments, or their independent personality, a
traditional school is, well, too traditional for your student. Online
high school can offer the flexibility and independence needed to
succeed.

4-7 Points: Compatible
While your student may becomfortable in a traditional school, a flexible classroom schedule may
be the extra added ingredient they need to excel. By setting their own
schedules, determining their own learning pace and having more
individualized learning paths, students often find the incentive they
need to achieve academic excellence and realize their dreams.

0-3 Points: Option to Consider
Atraditional high-school setting seems to be working for your child.
However, the benefits of online high school are many. Adaptable
curriculum, schedules and more individualized attention can benefit
students of many backgrounds, personalities, or academic ability. You
may want to research the online education options available to your son
or daughter to compare them with your student’s current school.

Themost important objective is that all high-schoolers successfully
complete their education in the learning environment that is best for
them. Thanks to technological innovations and the commitment of
educators, online learning is a new, worthwhile option to consider in
Colorado.

Working Teens Get Ahead with Online High School

Posted by Crystal Thomas on May 14, 2010 at 4:30pm

Many benefits of online high school are obvious, customized class schedules that allow you to control your learning pace, engaging use of interactive technology, even a class schedule that allows you to take class when you want. But a little known benefit of online high school is that it can help you with a part-time job.

Landing a part-time job is becoming increasingly difficult. Colorado teenagers may think they are unaffected by recent economic struggles, but they’re not. Last summer the employment rate for teenagers dropped to a record low of 33 percent. While Colorado’s unemployment rate (8.4 percent) is lower than the national average (9.9 percent), out of work adults in the state are accepting lower-skilled positions in greater numbers; positions that have traditionally been filled by teens.

In today’s market, a flexible school schedule may be the thing that helps you gain a competitive edge over other applicants.

Get Your Foot in the Door
Having the right attitude, respect and being on time are important to landing a job as a teen. But, you also need something that is going to set you apart from the other qualified applicants. If you have the ability to shift your school schedule on a weekly, or even daily, basis as you can at an online high school, then you can take on shifts that many of your peers can’t.

Gain Valuable Experience
Attending online schooling for high school means teens can apply for jobs that are normally out of reach because of the constraining traditional school hours. When you can take math class at 6:00 p.m. instead of 10:30 a.m. you’ll have the option to apply for office jobs. In an office setting you can gain critical skills that you may not have learned until your early 20s. Not only will an office job provide you the opportunity for higher pay but having office skills are important for landing future internships and jobs. A job that is rare among teens can also give you a unique experience to write about for your college admission essay.

Contribute to Household Income
You may work because you need extra spending cash, but increasingly there are teens like you who are taking jobs to supplement their family’s income after a parent has been laid off. For those teens, online high school means the ability to take on more hours. Teens over the age of 16 have no limit to the number of hours or days they can work. By attending school when it works for your schedule, you can pick up extra hours and help contribute to the household income.

While online high school may not be a good fit for all students, it can be very beneficial for students who want to or need to work. By providing the flexibility to land higher paying jobs or work more hours students can develop skills that serve them for the rest of their lives while earning their high school diploma online.

Distinguished Colorado Online Educator To Lead Provost Academy

Posted by Crystal Thomas on February 16, 2010 at 3:48pm

The Executive Director of Colorado’s new public online high school, Audie Rubin brings not only his years of experience in education as both an administrator and teacher; but also his leadership and vision as a pioneer in the use of online education technology to open the classroom and accelerate learning for Colorado students.

“The challenge facing education today is to close the gap between how students live and how they learn,” Rubin said. “At Provost Academy Colorado, we are excited to meet this challenge with our pro-learning, pro-student, pro-success focus to help all students achieve their goals.”

Provost Academy is a state-authorized public virtual high school that is free of charge to residents of Colorado. Backed by EdisonLearning’s experience in preparing more than 1 million students for college and the workforce, Provost Academy provides students personalized learning plans adapted to meet their schedule and specific academic needs.

As a leading advocate and pioneer of online education in Colorado, Rubin brings a valuable knowledge and innovation to his new position. As Director of Student Online Learning for the Jeffco Public Schools, he developed full time online programs, and partnered with district high schools to implement hybrid learning opportunities. During his tenure, Rubin increased the number of students learning online throughout the district from 150 to over 3,000 and the number of online teachers from 20 to over 200 in 18 months. As a principal with Colorado Virtual Academy, Rubin designed and successfully launched the academy’s online high school.

“I have seen the strides students make in their academic success when they are truly engaged in the online experience, and their education matches their individual learning style. But I also know that not all online schools are the same,” Rubin said. “Unlike other online schools, Provost Academy has a robust offering of more than 100 courses, developed in collaboration with faculty of Stanford University’s School of Education. It is also backed by EdisonLearning, the nation's largest partner to public school districts and communities nationwide including here in Colorado.”

In addition to his work in schools, Rubin is advancing online opportunities for Colorado students as a member of the Colorado Department of Education’s Committee for Online Learning. Outside of the field of education, Rubin has partnered with Sun Microsystems and Microsoft to develop educational initiatives in the United States as well as in Japan and Australia. He received his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Colorado University-Denver, and his undergraduate degree from San Jose State University.

“We are extremely pleased and honored that Audie Rubin, a solid educator and true innovator has accepted the leadership role at Provost Academy,” said Jeffrey Popiel, President & CEO of Geotech Environmental Equipment in Denver and chairman of the Provost Academy Colorado board. “Mr. Rubin’s commitment to the mission of Provost Academy and experience adds tremendous value and quality to the education experience our students will receive.”

Provost Academy Colorado is currently enrolling students in grades 9 through 12 for the school year starting August 2010 online at www.co.provostacademy.com or by phone at 888.472.2656.

Is Your Child STEM Ready? Their Future May Depend On It

Posted by Crystal Thomas on March 22, 2010 at 12:16pm

According to a report last month from University of California at Los Angeles’ Higher Education Research, the number of college freshman choosing fields of study within science, technology, engineering and mathematics has been rising for the last 15 years across all races. That is good news for the United States as the jobs of the future and America’s competitiveness depends on students with knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). And that knowledge starts in high school.

The push for more STEM focus in K-12 education has become a national priority. In fact, recently, President Obama launched “Educate to Innovate,” a campaign to engage more of America’s students in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “Educate to Innovate” calls for leading companies, foundations, nonprofits, and other organizations to find ways to encourage students to participate, not only for the future of the country, but also for the future of those students.

So, why are STEM subjects so important to the United States, and our students? For at least three reasons:

STEM is Key to Global and Career Competitiveness
First, in order to remain competitive with workers around the world, it is necessary for Americans to have strong skills in the areas where innovation and new thinking will create opportunity. Some of these areas include biotechnology, aeronautical engineering, environmental sustainability, and materials science.

Students in India, China and other countries are being trained to excel in these areas now. If our students are left behind academically, we will lose these high-paying jobs to overseas companies.

Technology is a Part of Almost Every Job Today
Second, almost all jobs today have some sort of technology component to them, and any student unfamiliar with the basics of science, technology, engineering and mathematics will find it difficult to build a solid career without these skills.

STEM courses are as important for students who do not plan to attend college as for those who do, because being smart about science, technology, engineering and mathematics will open up higher-paying job opportunities for high school graduates and help with career advancement for years to come.

Career Opportunities for Women and Minorities
Third, the STEM professions are actively looking for women and minorities to recruit in order to create more diverse thinking and participation in these professions. So female and minority students have a special incentive to pursue courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

While STEM education is a national priority, getting students the education they need for success starts at home. Today, parents can make choices in their K-12 educational options to seek out programs that focus on STEM. For example, in Colorado, a new online charter high school, Provost Academy (www.co.provostacademy.com) recently launched with an intensive focus on STEM courses. Having coursework in these subjects helps position students for college application, and job opportunities after graduation. These are high-paying, challenging jobs that can be found everywhere―in corporations, in government, in research institutes, and in the military. STEM knowledge is one of the best career assets any high school graduate can have.

Is Your Child STEM Ready? Their Future May Depend On It

Posted by Crystal Thomas on March 22, 2010 at 10:30am

Online High School Helps Students Gain an Advantage for College and the Workforce

Posted by Crystal Thomas on April 27, 2010 at 1:20pm

The U.S. Department of Education released a new education plan calling for increased technology integration into all levels of education. The plan states that by engaging students early with online tools, schools better prepare their students for college and the workforce. Educators at Colorado online high schools couldn’t agree more.

“Students today want to be active participants in their education,” says Audie Rubin Executive Director of Provost Academy, an online high school in Colorado. “They want to learn the same way they live, utilizing what they are familiar with such as blogs, podcasts, and instant messaging to create an interactive environment in which they can thrive.”

A More Complete, Authentic and Meaningful Education
The U.S. Department of Education’s National Educational Technology Plan 2010, titled “Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology” calls for all education levels, primary, secondary and higher education, to find increased function for online learning.

The authors make the case that technology creates the opportunity for a more complete, authentic and meaningful education for today’s students. Arguing that technology-based learning systems will not only change the way students are learning today but will help improve the education system in the future.

The Advantages of Technology
According the National Educational Technology Plan, using technology in the classroom also prepares young minds for life after high school by:
• helping students develop skills such as self-discipline and motivation that are known to promote success at higher education institutions.
• giving access to web tools such as wikis, blogs and digital content that are integral parts of many of today’s careers
• putting them in real-world situations and preparing them to be productive members of a globally competitive workforce

Online high schools have been on the forefront of incorporating technology in the classroom. But unlike traditional schools, online schools can provide the additional benefits of customized lesson plans and individual attention that help young students move at their own pace to earn a high school diploma.

“I know many students who have benefitted from the flexible schedule that online school offers,” says Rubin. “They could be an elite athlete or musician who needs to travel for competitions, a student who is helping to support their family with a job or a teen mom who needs care for her child but doesn’t want to sacrifice an education. Online school gives these students the chance to earn a real high school diploma.”

Weighing Technology in School Choice
Technology has become ingrained in our lives. It has changed the way we shop, find information and connect with people so it is no surprise that it is changing our classrooms. Parents should factor in technology when weighing their school choice options. The next generation needs to engage with technology in a productive way, beyond texting and online video games. Online high schools can provide the avenues for students to use technology in a way that reflects both college and a career.

Provost Academy Stands Out Among Online High Schools for Focus on Student Success

Posted by Crystal Thomas on June 14, 2010 at 1:30pm

When parents and students are considering online high schools, they’ll find a number of choices, both private and public. The private schools may stress their high-quality curriculum but often charge high tuition. Public online schools are free but may not provide the best academics or student support. Is there a third choice? Yes. A new education option that combines the best of all online school options is now being offered in Colorado.

At Provost Academy, Student Success is Key
Provost Academy is a free public online Colorado high school whose mission is to ensure that students are successful in their courses and that they master the knowledge necessary to provide them the greatest opportunities in their careers or college studies. For students and families who are seeking a challenging curriculum in a non-traditional, flexible environment, this new online high school may be the perfect choice.

Student Success: Engagement, Accountability, and Support
The key element of Provost Academy’s program is ongoing communication among the three partners in a student’s learning success: the student, the parents and the school.

When students first enroll in Provost Academy, they are given an initial test that helps guide their academic path. From there, families work with an Academic Advisor to plan and monitor the student’s progress.

Lessons are designed to work with the learning style of each student, and advanced students can move through lessons quickly while those students who need to take additional time on a particular subject can do so without falling behind. Each lesson provides instant feedback as students progress, and ends daily with a test so students can see where they are succeeding or need to spend more time.

Recognizing the important role they play in helping their children succeed, Provost Academy also makes sure that parents can monitor student progress regularly. Parents and instructional staff can easily view grades and the status of assignments at any time online. If a student falls behind in a given area, an “Achievement Alert” is sent and a plan of action is implemented. Progress is also monitored regularly to ensure that students remain on track.

Challenging Courses That Reflect Real-World Opportunities
Provost Academy offers a uniquely-designed academic program that gives students the skills, confidence and encouragement to graduate, while also preparing them for the workplace or college.

This academic program was developed with faculty members at Stanford University’s School of Education. It was specifically designed to combine excellence in online teaching with courses that would best prepare students for real-world opportunities after they graduate.

In fact, the school offers more than 100 highly engaging courses, including advanced placement (A.P.) and honors courses. As part of its commitment to providing students with the most in-demand knowledge, Provost Academy Colorado courses emphasize such important subjects as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), which are increasingly sought-after in today’s job market.

Provost Academy believes that its challenging classes, and students’ ability to succeed in them, will instill the confidence and knowledge they need to easily pass state-mandated exams, including the exams required to earn a high school diploma, required of all public high school students.

A Trusted and Experienced Partner
Provost Academy is able to offer such a high-quality, reliable, and effective program because it is affiliated with EdisonLearning, the nation’s largest partner to public school districts and communities. In fact, EdisonLearning currently serves hundreds of thousands of students nationwide through successful charter schools, after school tutoring, and through academic services that are provided to school districts.

Whereas many online schools, both public and private, are new to education, EdisonLearning has nearly two decades of proven experience improving results for students across the country who are learning both online and in the classroom. Provost Academy is now enrolling students for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Green Byproducts of Attending Online High Schools

Posted by Crystal Thomas on April 22, 2010 at 9:17am

Online high schools have many benefits for individual students, but being “green” is one that is often overlooked. Many factors that can increase the carbon footprint at traditional schools such as paper waste, school transportation and energy costs are virtually non-existent online, making online school an environmentally friend educational choice.

Provost Academy, Colorado’s new online high school, is celebrating Earth Day by highlighting the top five ways online high school is greening the way high school students learn.

1. Reduced Energy Use – Did you know that on average, K-12 schools across the country spend more on energy costs for their building than textbooks and computers combined? According to the EPA, nearly 30% of that energy is wasted or used inefficiently. While the school-issued laptops at online schools consume some energy, it is not nearly the amount used at a traditional school.

2. Paperless – Each year the average American uses approximately one 100-foot tall Douglas fir tree in paper and wood products. At traditional schools worksheets, tests and textbooks make up a considerable part of the curriculum and over the course of a school year that paper waste can really start to add up. Nearly everything is administered through a computer at online schools. Even textbooks are virtual documents. Often, the only piece of paper received by an online student from the school is their high school diploma!

3. No Commuting – By attending school from the comfort and safety of the home, online school decreases the amount of fuel being consumed by families. U.S. cars contribute to half the world’s total CO2 emissions. By removing two trips to a traditional school every day, online schools make a dent in the amount of greenhouse gases families are releasing into the atmosphere.

4. Less Waste – Considering the number of students and faculty who are at traditional schools, you can imagine the amount of waste can be significant. From school lunches to school supplies, and replacing equipment traditional schools create and dispose of on a daily basis. By not having a physical building, an online school considerably reduces the amount of waste produced.

5. Recycled Technology – Most online schools, like Provost Academy, issue laptop computers to every student. However, those laptops are returned to the school once the student has completed their coursework and are refurbished for the new class of students. This type of recycle and reuse mentality helps minimize the imprint online high schools are leaving on the planet.

When it comes to helping the environment, small changes by individuals can make a difference; even when it comes to choosing a school. Online schools make smaller impacts on the environment by using fewer resources overall. Students at online high schools in Colorado are benefitting not only from an education that is customized for them, but have the added benefit of attending a school that is leaving less of an impact on the environment.

“Switch Kit” Helps Americans Get Out of Unhealthy Banking Relationships

Posted by Erik Keith on June 9, 2009 at 4:52pm

According to a new study by BancVue, almost two in five Americans are unable to classify their current bank as “Mr. or Ms. Right”, with dissatisfaction higher among those with most of their money in large banks. In fact, almost one in two (49%) of big bank customers claim their current bank is far from “the one”. To help people “break up” with Mr. /Ms. Wrong, CheckingFinder.com has launched the Switch Kit, designed to make it effortless to switch to a high interest, free checking account with no minimum balance, no monthly fees and nationwide ATM fee refunds. “CheckingFinder.com’s Switch Kit makes breaking up with an unhealthy banking relationship hassle-free,” says Gabe Krajicek, Chief Executive Officer of BancVue, the creators of CheckingFinder.com. “And, banking customers end up with better products with the better service of a community financial institution.” But how do you know if you are in an unhealthy banking relationship? Mr. Krajicek suggests consumers ask themselves the “Six Simple Questions You Can Bank On”: 1. Does your bank treat you like a number? 2. Do you feel that you are getting as much out of the relationship as the bank is? 3. Fairness in banking tends to show itself in the form of fees. Does your bank over-charge you on fees? 4. Do you have open communication? In other words, does your bank keep you informed about your existing accounts or better opportunities? 5. Does your bank show you appreciation for entrusting your money with them? 6. Is your bank well run and stable? Check out the “Statement of Condition” to get a snapshot of its health. The answers to these questions can help determine if breaking up from a banking relationship makes sense. Interestingly, two-thirds (67%) of bank account-holding Americans admit they wouldn’t hesitate to consider breaking up with their bank, with 75% with most of their money in big banks. And, what they are looking for in their Mr. or Ms. Right bank: less fees (39%), higher interest rates (32%), better banking products (29%) and ATM refunds (29%). CheckingFinder.com, the one-stop-shop for the best high-yield checking accounts among community banks and credit unions, not only allows you to find an open a free, high interest checking account in minutes, but has developed a tool to make the break up go smoothly—The Switch Kit. The Switch Kit makes switching to a new account painless, with detailed instructions for transferring direct deposits, automatic payments, online bill payments and closing the preexisting account. The Switch Kit also provides downloadable direct deposit and auto-payment forms, making the switch hassle free. The accounts on CheckingFinder.com give customers free checking accounts with CD-like yields, no monthly fees and nationwide ATM fee refunds when they do simple activities, including accepting eStatements, utilizing direct deposit, accessing online banking, and using their debit card. All of these things help save the financial institutions money, and unlike the big banks that keep it for themselves, these financial institutions are returning the savings to their account holders in the form of higher yields. “Breaking up may seem tough at first, but with the right tools, such as CheckingFinder.com and The Switch Kit the perfect bank mate is only a click away,” concludes Krajicek.

New Survey Reveals Two In Three Could Easily “Break Up” With Their Current Bank

Posted by Erik Keith on May 28, 2009 at 11:30am

The most fundamental of American’s money relationships are with their banks, where a new study finds almost two in five Americans are unable to classify their current bank as “Mr. or Ms. Right,” with dissatisfaction higher among younger adults and those with most of their money in large banks.“Some relationships can lead in unhealthy directions without us even realizing it. The sad thing is, once it’s over you realize you should have packed up and left months ago,” said Gabe Krajicek, Chief Executive Officer of BancVue, the company that sponsored the research. “Unfortunately in the case of banking relationships, people don’t believe that there is a financial institution that can offer them what they really want—great products and great service—leading to paralysis.”Paralysis is of particular note among bank account holders with most of their money in large banks, such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Almost one in two (49%) big bank customers claim their current bank is far from “the one.” They’re more likely to see their banks as partners who are uncommitted or clingy. This dissatisfaction is also high among Americans ages 18-29, nearly half (45%) of which say they have yet to find their Mr. or Ms. Right of financial institutions.What is most telling, however, is that two-thirds (67%) of bank account-holding Americans admit they wouldn’t hesitate to consider a new banking relationship. This was confirmed by a recent J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study which found that only 35 percent of customers are highly committed to their retail bank in 2009, compared with 37 percent in 2008 and 41 percent in 2007. This marks a two-year decline of 6 percentage points in customer commitment since the 2007 study. Again, according to the BancVue study, Americans with most of their money in large banks are antsy for a change – three in four (75%) would be willing to make a change, vs. 60 percent of those with their funds elsewhere.“Apparently, bigger isn’t better,” continued Krajicek. “With 70% of Americans’ deposits sitting in big banks, it may be time for people to heed the warning signs of their unhealthy relationship.”So what would make Americans break up with their banks? Just a few slight improvements, it seems. Less fees (39%) and higher interest rates (32%) top the list, with better banking products (29%) and ATM refunds (29%) also in demand.“Americans are fishing in the wrong pond. Mr./Ms. Right may actually be the guy or girl that has been right in front of you—the one you take for granted when you pass them each day,” says Krajicek. “And, in banking vernacular, Mr./Ms. Right is community financial institutions.”Selected community banks and credit unions are now meeting American’s banking dream of a perfect financial mate by providing the customer-centric service they are known for and offering a product that doesn’t just take, but gives back. Customers receive a free checking accounts with CD-like yields, no monthly fees and nationwide ATM fee refunds when they do simple activities, including accepting eStatements, utilizing direct deposit, accessing online banking, and increasing their debit card usage. All of these things help save the financial institutions money, and unlike the big banks that keep it for themselves, these financial institutions are returning to their account holders in the form of higher yields.www.CheckingFinder.com provides consumers a one-stop-shop for the best high-yield checking accounts among community banks and credit unions. The site enables consumers to search for a free, high-yield account by rate, distance from their home, and best annual return based on average account balance and ATM usage and then open the account online.“Now, those discontent with their banking relationship don’t have an excuse not to ‘break up’ with their bank,” concludes Krajicek.About BancVueBancVue is the leading provider of innovative products, marketing, and consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide. Serving over 600 community banks and credit unions around the country, BancVue’s solutions allow these institutions to compete and win in the war against the mega banks and net banks. Consumers benefit from the development and implementation of BancVue’s innovative products, including REWARDChecking®, a free high-yield checking account specifically designed for community banks and credit unions. For more information on BancVue, visit www.bancvue.com.MethodologyThe BancVue Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between April 14th and April 21st, 2009 using an email invitation and an online survey. 924 American bank account holders ages 18 and over responded to the survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

Consumer’s Interest High at Community Banks

Posted by Erik Keith on December 22, 2008 at 2:30pm

It took $4 gasoline to get folks to think about their driving habits. Similarly, it looks like a meltdown of the megabanks and other financial institutions is prompting consumers to think about where they are putting their money, who they can trust and what results they should expect. And much of their hard earned cash is flowing into deposits at community banks:• According to the FDIC, banks with less than $10 billion in assets, community banks, have seen an increase in deposit growth this year from a minus 0.77% in Q1 to a positive 2.06% in Q3. Larger banks witnessed a 3.81% decline in growth of deposits for the same period.• The Federal Reserve reported that October deposits and lending at community banks outpaced the overall industry. Between October 1 and October 22, community banks saw deposits rise 1.1 percent, or nearly $27 billion, to more than $2.4 trillion. For the same period, the nation’s 30 largest U.S. chartered banks saw $44 billion, or 1.2 percent of deposits, walk out the door, leaving them with less than $3.8 trillion.• REWARDChecking, a free checking account offered by more than 450 community financial institutions across the country, reported a 96% jump in deposits in the third quarter of this year.“Through products like REWARDChecking, community financial institutions are winning back customers from the faltering megabanks and investment houses,” said Don Shafer, Chairman of BancVue, a leading provider of products and consulting to community banking institutions. “Americans are indicating that they enjoy investing their money locally, and they benefit from high yields, fiscal safety and customer service.”Higher yields on short term deposits like those found on CheckingFinder.com are certainly fueling interest in community banks. Month-to-month applications on CheckingFinder.com (https://www.checkingfinder.com/), a website that connects consumers with community financial institutions offering high-yield checking accounts, jumped 14% from July to August, 46% from August to September, and 53% from September to October. A small sampling of applicants on the site indicated nearly seven out of 10 were moving their funds to community financial institutions from large banks.Examples of the yields found at community banks compared to those higher yielding shorter term deposits at megabanks (as of December 15) includes:COMMUNITY BANKS YIELDS PRODUCTSCommunity Bank of Pleasant Hill, MO; 6.10%; High-yield CheckingFirst Robinson Bank, IL; 6.01%; High-yield CheckingLegence Bank, IL; 6.01%; High-yield CheckingCommunity Bank of Raymore, MO; 6.01%; High-yield CheckingThree Rivers FCU, IN; 6.01%; High-yield CheckingFlorida Central Credit Union, FL; 6.01%; High-yield CheckingUnion State Bank/Bank of Atchison, KS; 6.01%; High-yield CheckingBank of Granite, NC; 6.00%; High-yield CheckingMEGABANKSWAMU; 5.00%; CD (5 years)eLoan; 4.75%; CD (6 years)Schwab; 3.60%; CD (18 months)ING; 3.75%; CD (1 year)HSBC; 3.50%; CD (1 year)Countrywide (BofA); 3.10%; CD (9 months)eTRADE; 2.25%; CD (12 month)“Three years ago the issue of 'how secure is my money?' was literally not on the consumer’s radar; today, the future viability of the nation’s largest banks is,” continued Shafer. “Not so with community banking, a system that has endeared trust by its roots and not by its branches.”

Analysis Shows Megabanks Have 23,000 Times More Exposure to Credit Default Swaps than Community Banks

Posted by Erik Keith on March 25, 2009 at 3:57pm

Healthy Community Banks Unfairly Impacted and Consumers Should Heed Wake-Up CallAs the economic crisis puts a spotlight on the obscure world of credit default swaps (CDS), an unregulated $62 trillion market that most people never heard of and even fewer understood, the fear of a CDS catastrophe is haunting the country’s largest banks, and the nation’s healthy community institutions and consumers are paying the price.An analysis of FDIC data as of 12/2008 conducted by BancVue (www.bancvue.com), a leading provider of products and consulting to community banking institutions, shows that commercial banks $10 billion or larger have just over $24 worth of credit derivatives for each dollar of equity. By comparison, the rest of the industry has essentially one-tenth of a penny of CDS for each dollar of equity. Those numbers translate to the big banks having roughly 23,000 times as much credit derivative exposure versus all other community financial institutions.This comes at a time when megabanks are already reeling from write-downs on mortgage-related securities. "These are the same institutions that themselves have either directly or through subsidiaries invested in the subprime market," said Don Shafer, Chairman of BancVue. “After suffering losses all over the place, the megabanks are now waiting for the next shoe to drop. In the meantime, it’s placing an undue burden on healthy small banks and should serve as a wake-up call to consumers.”Since the mortgage-backed securities that many swaps were supporting began to lose value in 2007, investors have feared that the swaps, originally meant as a hedge against risk, could suddenly become huge liabilities. While the CDS marketplace is completely unregulated and the swaps trade without a central clearinghouse, it’s known that commercial banks are among the most active participants. According to the Comptroller of the Currency, JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wachovia were ranked the top four most active players.In February, federal regulators facing a cascade of bank failures depleting the deposit insurance fund raised the fees paid by U.S. financial institutions. Although the FDIC intended on charging more from higher risk banks, they also suggested levying a hefty emergency premium in a bid to collect $27 billion this year. The higher premiums being assessed were originally set for 20 cents for every $100 of insured deposits levied equally on the 8,305 federally insured institutions. To put that in perspective, for a $250 million dollar community bank, the “one time tax” would constitute a $500,000 hit, which could wipe out 20% to 40% of a bank’s annual profits. At the Independent Community Banking Association Convention last week, FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair predicted that the assessment will probably be lower. She went on to say that the FDIC is seeking comments on whether the agency should use total assets or some other base for the special assessment, which would have consequences for how the burden is distributed.“How about basing part of the assessment on the amount of credit derivatives a bank holds compared to their equity?” continues Shafer, referencing BancVue’s research showing the extraordinary exposure to CDSs of the megabanks versus the community financial institutions. “If you are going to unfairly burden smaller banks that played by the rules, the least the FDIC can do is base the levy on the banks that helped trigger the crisis.”Even amidst this threat and turmoil among the megabanks, consumers are still trusting more than 70% of deposits in the U.S. to these large financial institutions. “Americans appear to be paralyzed in their banking relationship leaving so much of their hard earned cash in TARP and CDS-laden megabanks. It’s time for consumers to wake up and evaluate their banking options, particularly when community banks offer a less risky deposit alternative with better products and services,” concludes Shafer.

Consumers to Get Dave Ramsey Financial Advice With High Yield Checking

Posted by Erik Keith on March 20, 2009 at 2:23pm

With the economy and investment opportunities slimming, consumers are looking for alternative, safe avenues for storing their money other than their mattress. CheckingFinder.com, home to the highest yielding free checking accounts at community banks and credit unions across the nation, has announced a limited time offer of a trial membership to Dave Ramsey's MyTotalMoneyMakeover.com for every person who submits an application.In addition to the advice and tools from Dave Ramsey, a personal money management expert and best-selling author, consumers will find checking accounts yielding up to 5.15% APY and be able to open them within minutes on CheckingFinder.com."Dave Ramsey is renowned for offering life-changing financial advice on his nationally syndicated radio talk show and in his books, and we're proud to be able to offer his MyTotalMoneyMakeover.com, especially during these tough economic times," said Gabe Krajicek, Chief Executive Officer of BancVue, the company responsible for providing high-yield REWARDChecking® to community financial institutions and aggregating them with the help of marketing partner, FIRST ROI on CheckingFinder.com.CheckingFinder.com is an online search engine that helps consumers find free, high-interest checking accounts with no minimum balance from community financial institutions across the country. Consumers have the peace of mind knowing that all these accounts are insured through the FDIC, NCUA, or ASI. The advertised rates are not introductory teaser rates, there are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements associated with the accounts, and ATM fees are refunded nationwide.Dave Ramsey's MyTotalMoneyMakeover.com is a subscription site helping people discover financial peace by walking them through Ramsey's 'baby step process' for dumping debt and building wealth. MyTotalMoneyMakeover.com is widely considered to be one of the best tools available to keep people motivated and accountable for their finances."Dave Ramsey has been a solid supporter of what we're doing at CheckingFinder™ and with the REWARDChecking accounts," said John Waupsh, Chief Executive Officer of FIRST ROI. "He truly understands what it means for money to work harder."For more information on these free, high-yield checking accounts at community financial institutions and the free trial offer to Dave Ramsey's MyTotalMoneyMakeover.com, visit http://www.checkingfinder.com.

Personal Financial Stimulus Package

Posted by Erik Keith on March 12, 2009 at 10:47am

As Personal Savings Rise to 5%, Consumers Could be Making Up to 6% APRAccording to the U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday, the personal savings rate surged to 5% in January. As consumers frantically try to save their money as the economic outlook continues to look bleak throughout much of the country, they could be making up to 6% APR on their checking account.A “personal financial stimulus package” starts with the basics—your banking relationship. Community banks are still offering the best interest rates on free checking accounts:Florida Central Credit Union 6.01First Robinson Savings Bank 6.01Communications Federal Credit Union 5.25Connexus Credit Union 5.15Community Bank of Pleasant Hill 5.01Three Rivers FCU 5.01Union State Bank/Bank of Atchison 5.01Beacon Federal Credit Union 4.51In over 4000 community financial institution branches across the country, consumers are receiving from 3% to 6% interest rates on free checking with no minimum balance and reimbursed ATM fees. And these are NOT teaser rates.With a history of delivering value and customer-centric service, selected community banks and credit unions are offering free checking accounts with CD-like yields. The bank or credit union realizes operational savings when account holders accept eStatements, utilize direct deposit, access online banking, and increase their debit card usage and returns it to the consumer in the form of higher yields.To help consumers find community banks and credit unions with high-yield checking accounts, www.checkingfinder.com was created.

CONSUMERS KEEP MONEY CLOSE TO HOME

Posted by Erik Keith on November 10, 2008 at 2:37pm

With home safe sales up 75% over the past year, consumers are on a flight for safety. Many are finding soft landings locally at their community banks and credit unions where they can earn up to 7% interest on their checking accounts, feel the safety of a locally-owned bank, and know their deposits are fueling growth in their own community.“Amid this market turmoil, people are stashing cash close to home,” says Don Shafer, co-founder of BancVue and FIRST ROI, the creators of www.CheckingFinder.com, a resource to help consumers find community banks and credit unions that offer free, high-yield checking accounts. “Community banks and credit unions are trusted neighbors that offer safety and some of the best interest rates on the market. And if that isn’t enough, people enjoy that their deposits are being put to work in their local communities.”The more than 16,000 community financial institutions across the U.S. are certainly seeing money flow in from people cashing out of investments. An October survey by the Independent Community Bankers of America reveals that 70% of community banks saw an uptick in deposits in the past year. Part of the attraction has been driven by consumers seeking safer, high-yield checking accounts. In fact, BancVue, is witnessing accounts opening at a rate of every 59 seconds.“Selected community banks and credit unions are now offering free checking accounts with CD-like yields,” says Shafer. “Unlike the mega banks, these community institutions are taking the savings realized from consumers using electronic services and returning it to the consumer in the form of higher interest rates.”CheckingFinder.com is one resource for consumers to find community banks and credit unions that are offering free, high-yield checking accounts. The site enables consumers to search by rate, distance from their home, and best annual returns based on average account balance and ATM usage and then open the account online.“While megabanks may have branches, community financial institutions have roots. And, consumers are being paid to return to their roots,” concludes Shafer.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.