Is a CU Domain in the Future? Posted by Association of Vermont Credit Unions on 11:21 AM

CUNA has submitted an application for the ".creditunion" domain name to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN has been taking applications from individuals and groups interested in buying the rights to new "top level domain names." Domain names are the words to the right of the dot in an Internet address (URL). Thousands of applications for specific domain names were expected to be filed. The domain name applications can encompass communities of businesses or services, such as ".creditunion" or ".news," and can also be used to market specific brands or products.

The ".creditunion" top level domain, if obtained, would be available to credit unions to supplement or replace their existing Web names at a roughly estimated cost of $100-$200 annually per credit union, according to CUNA.  If approved, it will likely go live in 2013. A survey of credit union CEOs and others found that nearly 60% of respondents favored purchasing the ".creditunion" domain name. Nearly 70% said they would create an additional ".creditunion" domain name, or move their existing Web page to a new ".creditunion" address, if the new top-level domain name is approved.