Winston-Salem, N.C. (July 1, 2008) –Truliant Federal Credit Union is constantly striving to learn how current economic conditions are impacting its member-owners financial well being. The credit union recently conducted a survey that was taken by more than 850 of its members to find out how high gas prices are affecting their use of online banking as well as their general spending habits.   Survey questions included: Considering high gas prices, do you feel Online Banking and Easy Pay (Truliant’s Online Bill Pay service) will allow you to cut back on your driving?   

We are interested in hearing about changes you are making to deal with high gas prices. Check all that apply.  

 “The best way I have found to cope with high gas prices is to cut back on non-essentials - I have reduced the amount of times I eat out which means that I bring my lunch to work and eat at home more often,” said William Murray, a Truliant member-owner who took part in the survey. “I have also reduced how often I go out in the evenings as well as leisure activities such as going to the movies and ball games.”   Survey participants frequently mentioned that they are making sure that every trip counts and to combine as many errands into each trip as possible. Some of the more than 400 comments also included:-          Cut out all non essentials -          No longer drive to the local park to walk for exercise; instead walk in the neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, reduced dining out expenses -          Bring lunch to work most days now instead of driving out to eat 
-          Save up errands requiring driving and do them all in 1 trip -          Plan better. Rather than going out and coming home several times a day, try to do as many errands as possible in one trip    “

No matter who you are, everyone is experiencing the pinch at the pump,” said Ginger Salt, senior vice president of markets for Truliant Federal Credit Union. “We have more and more member-owners signing up for our online banking service daily. Most sign up because of the ease-of-use, but as our survey indicates, I anticipate that a growing number of our member-owners will choose to use our online channel to offset increased costs associated with driving to do business.
    
About Truliant Federal Credit Union
Truliant Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial institution that provides affordable financial services to its member-owners. Truliant was chartered in 1952 and now serves more than 180,000 members and has 24 member financial centers in NC, SC, OH and VA. For more information on Truliant Federal Credit Union, visit TruliantFCU.org.