Headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Campus FCU will work with the company to help optimize its Web site and turn it in to a full service virtual branch. After conducting a search that lasted several months, the credit union chose Extractable based on the company's focus on serving as a strategic business advisor centered around serving the member online, rather than just another Web site designer.

"We evaluated many companies and seriously considered five, but we decided on Extractable because of their team's strategic approach to the initiatives," Sridhar Kondapalli, AVP of information technology at Campus FCU, explained. "Instead of just proposing a new design, they came back with more ideas to strengthen the Web site, and they backed up each suggestion with industry research. Their approach isn't just based on design concepts, it includes in-depth research and planning to support the strategy behind each decision."

Extractable begins each project by conducting extensive research to truly identify the unique needs and critical goals for each credit union and their Web site visitors. Then the team determines what changes should be made to meet those needs and also address the concerns of the credit union based on areas like competitive research. For Campus FCU, Extractable will use data from an online survey and a focus group to create the most effective Web site plan.

Campus FCU's last Web site launch was in 2002. The new project will include a change in layout to make the Web site more intuitive and user friendly, Google maps to show each branch location and RSS feeds for the daily loan rates. The credit union will also incorporate changes to address search engine optimization. All of these focuses will ultimately lead to better service of members online.

"The big picture is to create a 'virtual' Web branch so that our members have a viable alternative to the traditional branch," Kondapalli continued. "We also want to give the Web site a fresh look and make it easier for existing and potential members to find information. The Extractable team has been very clear and professional in their approach since the first phone call, which is a critical quality in a new vendor for us because the Web site is no longer just a marketing communications piece. It touches every department within our organization and we needed an interactive agency that could effectively work with our internal teams to generate consensus."

"Campus FCU sought a company that would work along with it to determine how to design the best possible Web site to make the greatest impact on its members and the future of the credit union," Craig McLaughlin, CEO at Extractable, said. "We specialize in helping credit unions make the most of the online channel and this strategic approach we have developed ensures that both the credit union and its members are offered the best possible Web experience."