What is service without reach?
That is the question that four Central Florida credit unions aimed to solve in 1981 when they established CULIANCE as a way for credit unions to compete favorably and affordably with other financial institutions.
The goal was a flexible, shared, deposit-taking ATM network that fostered a cooperative environment in which credit unions could implement effective and sustainable electronic fund transfer strategies.
Now, 30 years later, CULIANCE boasts the nation's largest surcharge-free ATM network in the country, as well as the nation's largest credit-union owned point-of-sale network, with hundreds of thousands of POS locations across the country.
Incorporated in 1998, CULIANCE has grown into a strong, participant-owned, full-service ATM/POS cooperative serving credit unions across the country and overseas. Network participant members enjoy the convenience of POS access at many of the nation's most prevalent retailers, as well as an ATM network that has a presence wherever participant members are.
With the cooperative ideals of the credit union movement – service, ownership and self-determination – and national ATM and point-of-sale access for credit unions, CULIANCE is service with reach.
Based in Tallahassee, FL, CULIANCE has more than 450 credit unions in its network and POS and ATM access in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and overseas.
Mission Statement
To provide the expertise and services to help credit unions compete and improve their members' lives.
CULIANCE Quick Facts
Headquarters: Tallahassee, Fla.
Established: 1981
CEO: Mansel Guerry
Chairman of the Board: James B. “Jimmy” Smith
Products and services: EFT Solutions: ATM/POS Network, Surcharge-Free ATM Network, Merchant POS Program, Independent Sales Organizations Program.
CULIANCE By The Numbers
300,000+ ATM terminals located throughout all 50 states and multiple international locations, including Canada, Guam, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Japan and the United Kingdom.
500+ CULIANCE participating credit unions located in 26 states and the District of Columbia
280 CULIANCE shareholding credit union participants
Over 75,000 Surcharge-free ATMs in the CULIANCE CU HERE surcharge-free programs
Advantages
Point-Of-Sale: The nation's largest credit union-owned POS network allows credit union members to pay for purchases with their debit cards at hundreds of thousands of locations, including most major national retailers and local merchants. With flexible programs and competitive interchange, CULIANCE enjoys priority routing with many retailers, leading to more captured transactions, greater network volume and increased interchange revenue for credit unions.
CU HERE Surcharge-Free Programs: Credit unions exist to provide for their members and CULIANCE's CU HERE surcharge-free programs help its participants do that with the nation's largest surcharge-free ATM access. Twice as large as the nearest competitor and nearly three times the size of the largest national bank, CU HERE surcharge-free programs allow credit union members fee-free access to their funds at on- and off-premise locations across the country.
CUSO Structure: As a credit union service organization, CULIANCE works to the benefit of its network participants, and distributes its profits to its shareholding credit unions. Network participants are offered an opportunity during stock offerings to purchase one share of stock, giving each shareholder an equal voice on shareholder matters, regardless of asset size.
Network Growth: By maintaining close relationships with independent sales organizations, payment processors and merchants, CULIANCE has aggressively expanded its ATM and POS networks, leading to consistent growth in participating credit unions.
