Mobile money management

If our customers can't come to us then we'll go to them.

That's the philosophy of Rotorua's AWHI Credit Union, which has just launched a mobile branch that will visit the home or workplace of members and potential members. All the member has to do is text and the fully-equipped van will appear - at no cost.

Mobile branch manager Terry Evans said the majority of AWHI's members were low income earners, many beneficiaries or elderly.

"A lot of the time they [members] can't into town," Mr Evans said. "It's also about trying to help out a few who don't actually manage their money as well as they should."

Mr Evans said as far as he was aware the mobile branch was a first among credit unions in Rotorua and surely the only one with a onboard coffee machine and snack bar.

He said he had spoken to local employers, many of whom were open to the idea of the mobile branch visiting at lunchtime to speak to employees.

"For example, the other day we were up at Mamaku Sawmills. Many of them earn good money but their money management still lets them down," he said. "They need to try and put some away for a rainy day."

All the usual banking services can be done from the mobile van - it even has its own Wi-Fi and power source so Mr Evans can connect to the AWHI network.

He said the mobile branch was the brainchild of AWHI chief executive Rachell Mio, who oversaw the credit union's three offices in Gisborne, Opotiki and Rotorua. She saw it as a way to help members and provide a point of difference, he said. If all goes well, it's hoped the service will expand beyond Rotorua.

Customer services officer Sarah Ridings said credit unions such as AWHI provided tailored services to its members that were not traditionally offered by banks. Many members also found it difficult to get accounts at banks, Mr Evans added.

One of those extras is the bereavement club, which members can sign up to on joining AWHI. If they then die, all other club members contribute $2 each to help their family with funeral or tangi costs.

AWHI Rotorua has about 500 members so that money can make a huge difference particularly as a tangi (and the costs involved) can run for several days, Ms Ridings said.

Another difference from banks is the compulsory savings - members must save a minimum of $5 per week. That's partly to instil the "rainy day" mentality and also to act as collateral should the member want to take out a loan, said Mr Evans.