Buzz Points Selected by Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union to Offer Shop Local Loyalty and Rewards Program

ALCOA, Tenn., Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Buzz Points, a leader in connecting local businesses, community financial institutions and consumers through rewards, today announced that Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union, a financial institution headquartered in Alcoa, Tennessee serving members throughout Blount, Loudon and Monroe counties, has selected the Buzz Points merchant-funded loyalty program for its members. Buzz Points is free and allows credit union members to earn rewards while supporting the local economy by using their debit cards for everyday shopping.  

"As Blount County's oldest financial institution, we have always prided ourselves on being the stable, local financial institution that is most in tune with the counties that we serve," said David Gill, Vice President of Business Development and Branch Operations for Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union. "By rewarding our members for shopping locally and by providing the independent businesses in our community with the same sophisticated data analysis, market insights and targeted marketing capabilities used by the largest national chains and online retailers in the country, Buzz Points gives ATFCU the ability to play an even greater role in the continued economic stability and growth of the entire region."

Buzz Points is the only merchant-funded rewards platform that works with community financial institutions and local businesses to engage mutual customers. Credit union members can earn points by using their debit cards whenever they shop, but they earn more points for local shopping and the most points for shopping with local businesses enrolled in the program. Buzz Points creates additional revenue for financial institutions and gives local businesses a turnkey marketing solution that provides the data analysis and targeted marketing technologies they need to expand their market reach, attract new business and increase the loyalty of existing customers while also helping to offset the higher interchange fees that small businesses are often burdened with.

"Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union has been in business since 1936 and in that time they have grown from a small credit union serving just nine members to a modern institution offering the full gamut of financial services including online and mobile banking," said Jay Valanju, CEO of Buzz Points. "By offering a unique loyalty and rewards program that is focused on fueling the health of the local economy, Buzz Points gives ATFCU a concrete way to continue its mission of giving back to the communities that have supported them for the last 75 years."

Credit union members enrolled in the free program 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. A continually expanding network of 30,000+ local businesses nationwide allows cardholders to shop locally, accrue points and redeem rewards wherever they are.

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. The Buzz Points Merchant Program 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.