TechValidate Research on GreenPath Financial Wellness

In my role, I have learned that connecting our members to GreenPath does not always have to happen in a reactive mode when our members are in need of financial counseling and assistance. I am working with my peers to help them recognize that GreenPath can be integrated into our service stream at the beginning of our relationship; we should proactively inform our members that GreenPath is available to them as a partner before a financial crisis occurs.

Greenpath has provided a trusted source of trained counselors that we can refer our members to with confidence they are getting well-trained people with solid advice. Our internal resources cannot replicate that resource. It allows our staff to approach the members’ issues without the pressure of having to actually solve the problem. They can now have confidence they have a competent resource to refer.

Post-covid assistance with Mortgage Assistance Applications and very tough conversations. Examples include a couple in their 80’s who were facing foreclosure because they could no longer afford their home but could not face moving. After their GreenPath conversation they told their only child the truth about their finances, she helped them get their home ready to sell.
She renovated her home to move them in and they have financial freedom again from their sale profit. Another homeowner suffered a stroke 2 years after buying her 1st home. GreenPath counselors provided her information on affordable apartments in an area she wanted to live in and we were able to negotatiate a D-I-L and assist her with her deposit and moving expenses.

We are now able to provide a solution/resource to our members who ask us for help with their financial situation. As much as we would love to sit down with members and go over all their bills and accounts with them to create a plan, we just don’t have the staff or time to do that. By offering GreenPath to our members, they still feel they are getting the help and attention they need and are grateful we offer something to help them.

One perfect example was a member who was denied for a loan with us. He had previously filed bankruptcy and had lots of unsecured debt. He reached out because he was angry about being denied. He said that it was our job to sit down with him and go over all of his financials in order to tell him exactly what to do to be approved. Not only is that a liability for us because if we tell him to do X,Y,Z to be approved and he does those things but still might not get approved, but we also don’t have the staff or time. I was able to reach out to him to tell him about GreenPath and the resources you provide. He was so thankful that we didn’t just tell him “sorry too bad”, but provided him a solution to his problems. He was just frustrated about his situation but is now looking forward to improving it and applying again later.

GreenPath’s educational tools offer our employees and members a path to financial security, wellness, and peace. Our finances affect every facet of our lives, and GreenPath recognizes that. Their tools are aimed at the whole individual, the complete family, the entire life. They offer real results, not just platitudes and a see-you-later slap on the back. They are there for their clients long after the initial goal is met. That’s the credit union difference and the GreenPath difference as well.