Frequently Asked Questions

- What is the difference between a smartphone application and a mobile-optimized web site?

- Why should I have a smartphone application instead of a mobile-optimized web site?

- What is CU Mobile Marketing?

- Is CU Mobile Marketing available for Android or Blackberry smartphones?

- How is CU Mobile Marketing different from Mobile Banking?

- How is the marketing content input into CU Mobile Marketing?

- How long does it take for new content to reach a member’s smartphone?

- What does CU Mobile Marketing cost?

- How long does it take to create a branded CU Mobile Marketing product for a credit union?

What is the difference between a smartphone application and a mobile-optimized web site? (back to top)
A smartphone application (also called an “app”) loads programming into the user’s smartphone. This programming includes accessing the smartphone operating system functionality, like the GPS locator and travel directions capabilities. A smartphone application puts an icon on the user’s phone and can operate independent of Internet access, albeit with some loss of information content.

A mobile-optimized web site is formatted to the smaller screen of the smartphone. It is fundamentally the same as a web site formatted for a normal computer screen but generally has fewer pages. The user is automatically routed to the mobile-optimized site when using their smartphone.

Why should I have a smartphone application instead of a mobile-optimized web site? (back to top)
A smartphone application has much more functionality than a web site. It can alert the user via either a text message or the application icon. It places the credit union’s branded icon on the user’s phone, which gives the credit union much more visibility to the member. It can also provide programming that runs independently from the Internet, like financial calculators.

Mobile-optimized web sites are best used as interim steps to a more functional mobile application. Using mobile-optimized web sites as promotional micro sites is a better function, one that provides a limited amount of information and directs the member to fulfillment.

What is CU Mobile Marketing? (back to top)
CU Mobile Marketing is the copyright name used by Front Page Apps LLC. CU Mobile Marketing is a proprietary smartphone application for the Apple iPhone© that provides the user with account access and branded marketing communications from their credit union. The account access is provided in one of four potential processes:

1. Accessing the credit union’s existing mobile banking product.
2. Accessing the credit union’s existing home banking system.
3. Utilizing a process known as screen scraping the data from the credit union’s existing home banking web site.
4. Command level access to the credit union’s database.

Accessing the existing mobile banking product is the easiest and lowest cost alternative. Besides cost, the other key benefit is the support of mobile-optimized experience and the ability to support member transactions, including transfers between accounts or withdrawals. Access to the bill payer system may also be supported.

The next lowest cost alternative is accessing the credit union’s existing home banking web site. This option does support the account transaction capability of the home banking web site. The limitation is the user’s experience is dependent upon the page design and navigation of the existing home banking site. It generally does not provide a mobile-optimized experience. This is a good interim step while a mobile-optimized solution is being developed.

The screen-scraping alternative provides account information in a mobile-enabled format. Screen-scraping allows the member to view information, such as balances and transaction history. This provides a superior mobile experience since the screen-scraping displays the information in a mobile-optimized format. The limitation is that it does not allow changes to the member database, so it does not support transactions like account transfers or withdrawals.

The command level access process the most complete home banking alternative. This supports complete account access in a mobile-optimized format. The limitation is it includes the most programming and is the highest cost alternative. It should also require vendor SAS 70 security processes.

In addition to the mobile banking functions, CU Mobile Marketing also provides what is called a “wire-framework” that contains additional functionality. This includes:

1. A home button that returns the user to a content menu.
2. An information page that provides contact information, including one-touch dialing of key credit union telephone numbers. Credit union disclosure information, including definition of terms can also be included here.
3. A Specials function that loads marketing offers every time the application is launched or when selected by the user.
4. A News function that loads text or multimedia content.
5. An ATM/branch locator that accesses The CO-OP© ATM database and the credit union’s branch locations.
6. A Rates function that displays deposit, mortgage and consumer loan rates.

Is CU Mobile Marketing available for Android or Blackberry smartphones? (back to top)
CU Mobile Marketing is available in both iPhone and Android versions, but not Blackberry.

How is CU Mobile Marketing different from Mobile Banking? (back to top)
Mobile Banking is focused on providing transaction content, typically mimicking the credit union’s existing home banking functions but in a mobile-optimized format. Mobile banking also typically includes nearest ATM and branch locator functionality.

CU Mobile Marketing adds branded marketing content to mobile banking access. This content includes current interest rates, including daily changing mortgage rates, current marketing offers and weekly updated news content. CU Mobile Marketing format follows the credit union’s brand guidelines to provide a complete and accurate brand experience to the user.

How is the marketing content input into CU Mobile Marketing? (back to top)
CU Mobile Marketing uses a very robust Administrator Control Panel (ACP) application that provides complete control of the graphic and text content displayed on the Special Offers, News and Rates pages within CU Mobile Marketing. The credit union or its authorized agents, like its advertising agency, can use the ACP to provide content to CU Mobile Marketing. The ACP is housed on proprietary servers to insure reliability and service performance.

How long does it take for new content to reach a member’s smartphone? (back to top)
The ACP entered content loads every time a member launches the CU Mobile Marketing application. As soon as the ACP updates the content database, the very next member who opens their credit union’s CU Mobile Marketing application sees the new content.

What does CU Mobile Marketing cost? (back to top)
CU Mobile Marketing has been designed for iOS (iPhone) and Android Operating Systems. You can purchase one or both of the products. The base price for the iOS version is $9,500 and the Android version is $4,500 with 5 sections: specials, rates, ATM/Branch/Shared Branch locator, rates and accounts link to your home banking or mobile banking product. Additional capabilities and sections can be added to your specifications, just give us a call to discuss your needs.

How long does it take to create a branded CU Mobile Marketing product for a credit union? (back to top)
At the current time, the production cycle for CU Mobile Marketing provides a four to six week turnaround. The credit union receives a product that is branded to their credit union, using their graphics and their content. This cycle also includes the third party review of the Apple iTunes Store© and the Android Marketplace.