Filene Releases New Reports Posted by AVCU on 4:39 PM

The Filene Research Institute just released some new reports available to members for free, or a nominal fee to non-members:

• Credit Card Availability, Interest Rates, and Usage in 2005-2009 studies emerging trends in credit card markets. It explores trends in credit card delinquencies, credit card availability before and during the financial crisis, difficulties in setting (and regulating) credit card interest rates, and key strategic implications for credit unions. Download this brief.
  
  
• Design Thinking Through MBA Partnerships explores how design thinking can improve your business. The University of Wisconsin School of Business partnered with the product development firm Design Concepts to develop a MBA course. The purpose of the course is to teach the foundational concepts of design thinking theory and apply them in a real-world business situation. Students were asked to examine their strategic challenges and propose solutions. This report introduces the design thinking process, reviews the work of the "design thinking for business" student teams, and concludes with a series of implications for credit unions. Download this ONLINE ONLY brief.
  
  
• Making Saving Exciting To Our Members explores how prize-linked savings, which connects the thrill of lottery or raffle play with a financial choice to save, is gaining traction. During the first 32 weeks of a pilot between Filene and the Michigan League, called Save to Win, eight credit unions have over 10,000 Michigan residents open a Save to Win certificate and save, on average, over $140,000 per week. The excitement is building toward a January 2010 drawing for the $100,000 grand prize. Download this interim report.