Great Plains Federal Credit Union Selects Buzz Points to Offer Shop Local Loyalty and Rewards Program across 3 States

Program rewards members everywhere they shop, awards bonus points for shopping locally, provides turnkey marketing solution to help independent businesses compete with national chains

News provided by

Buzz Points, Inc.

Apr 06, 2015, 08:00 ET

JOPLIN, Mo., April 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Buzz Points, a leader in connecting local businesses, community financial institutions and consumers through rewards, today announced that Great Plains Federal Credit Union, a financial institution headquartered in Joplin, Missouri, that serves more than 29,000 members in Missouri (Jasper County), Kansas (Cherokee, Dickinson, Gray, Marion, McPherson, Montgomery, Saline and Sedgwick counties) and Texas (Orange County), has selected the Buzz Points merchant-funded loyalty program. Buzz Points is free for consumers and allows credit union members to earn rewards while supporting the local economy by using their debit cards for everyday shopping.

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"As one of the largest credit unions in the nation, we attribute our success to each member and to the communities we serve," said Ken Martin, CEO of Great Plains Federal Credit Union. "We wanted to offer a loyalty program that best serves the needs of our members and benefits the businesses in our own backyard, while also being simple to implement and use. By rewarding our members for shopping locally, Buzz Points helps us empower our independent business owners with valuable marketing tools and mobile technologies, offering a win-win-win for our members, our locally-owned businesses and our institution."

Buzz Points has created a new generation of loyalty rewards that works with community financial institutions and local businesses to engage mutual customers. Great Plains Federal Credit Union members can earn points by using their debit card whenever they shop, but they earn more points for shopping with local businesses. Buzz Points creates additional revenue for financial institutions and gives local businesses a turnkey marketing solution that provides the targeted marketing technologies they need to expand their market reach, attract new business and increase the loyalty of existing customers.

"Great Plains Federal Credit Union (GPFCU) serves a diverse range of cities and towns that celebrate local commerce, including Joplin's Third Thursday local arts, food and entertainment events; the Lee District – an eclectic array of shops, eateries, museums and art in historic downtown Salina; and the Wichita Riverfest, consistently ranked among the top outdoor festivals worldwide," said Dwayne Spradlin, CEO of Buzz Points. "By introducing Buzz Points, GPFCU is supporting an already-existing buy local philosophy and strengthening personal connections in the region by rewarding members for reconnecting with Main Street merchants who have a shared stake in the economic success of the community."

Credit union members who enroll in the fee program by April 30, 2015 will receive 1,000 bonus points. All enrolled members earn points automatically through debit card purchases that can be redeemed easily for gift cards, cash cards and donations to local non-profits using the Buzz Points web interface or mobile app that allows users to track, manage and redeem points. A continually expanding network of 40,000+ local businesses nationwide allows cardholders to shop locally, accrue points and redeem rewards wherever they are in the United States.

About Buzz Points, Inc.
Buzz Points, Inc. is the creator of the Buzz Points loyalty product suite, which connects consumers, local merchants and community financial institutions through social media engagement, targeted marketing and rewards. The Buzz Points program enables credit unions and community banks to generate greater non-interest income, increase transactions, reduce account attrition, drive new loans and attract new customers. Buzz Points provides additional revenue to financial institutions, increases existing consumer loyalty and supports local businesses by increasing their market reach and attracting new customers. For more information, visit www.buzzpoints.com.

Media Contact:
Susan Guerra
Thatcher+Co.
[email protected]
973-650-6555

SOURCE Buzz Points, Inc.