Unrivaled Account Offers Consumers a New Kind of Bank Note

Portsmouth, VA -- (SBWire) --05/12/2011 --Northern Star Credit Union, one of the first financial institutions in the country to launch Kasasa®, the first and only collection of banking accounts that actually takes an interest in account holders, today introduces the most innovative account on the market, Kasasa Tunes™.

Kasasa Tunes is a free checking account that rewards consumers with digital downloads from iTunes® or Amazon.com every month. It is designed for those with a passion for music and media, who want to be rewarded with digital downloads, including music, books, movies and iPhone or iPod applications.

“For those that want something different from their banking relationship, we wanted to offer our members a fresh, hip account that puts the fun in banking,” said Joseph Scharl, Marketing Manager at Northern Star Credit Union. “Now Kasasa account holders can use their monthly downloads to check out a new band or the latest remix, or enjoy television shows, movies, iPhone and iPod applications.”

Like all Kasasa accounts, Kasasa Tunes offers free checking, nationwide ATM fee refunds, no minimum balance, no monthly fees and free online banking in addition to the digital download rewards.

Account holders receive rewards by doing a few simple things every month, like using a debit card and signing up to receive monthly e-statements instead of paper. If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, the account is still free and they will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

Kasasa was introduced to the Hampton Roads area by Northern Star Credit Union in April 2010 through an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. The campaign, which featured some of America’s top slam poets, asks consumers, “Do You Kasasa?” In other words, Northern Star Credit Union is asking consumers to expect more from their banking relationships.

“Our members are thoroughly enjoying Kasasa offerings because they speak to their lifestyle, and Kasasa Tunes continues to support that movement,” added Scharl. “The Kasasa launch has been successful for our credit union and has been met with widespread support from the community.”

Northern Star Credit Union is offering other Kasasa banking products, including Kasasa Cash™, Kasasa Saver™, and Kasasa Giving™ at all four of its branches located in the Hampton Roads area.

• Kasasa Cash - A free checking account that rewards consumers with high interest in cash every month.

• Kasasa Saver - A high interest saver account linked to a Kasasa Cash checking account. The high interest and ATM fee refunds earned in the Kasasa Cash account are automatically deposited into the Kasasa Saver account each month. The balance in the Kasasa Saver account also earns a high rate of interest.

• Kasasa Giving - A free checking account that pays consumers high interest AND gives consumers money to donate to his or her selected charity. In addition to earning high interest in their checking account, account holders receive money for every qualifying debit card purchase which is then automatically donated to their selected charity. The more consumers use their debit card, the more money they receive to donate. (The three national partners are American Humane Association, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Stand Up To Cancer. Institutions may also choose to align with a local cause for account holders to support).

Kasasa is distributed to Northern Star Credit Union from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the megabanks. BancVue’s products have delivered more than one million customers and more than $16 billion in deposits to nearly 700 community banks and credit unions around the country, equaling more than 5,000 branches around the country.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit http://www.nstarcu.org or visit http://www.kasasa.com/nstarcu.

Do you Kasasa
Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by paying them to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or iTunes® downloads.

Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit http://www.kasasa.com.