About Credit Union BUSINESS magazine Credit Union BUSINESS is a full-color monthly publication whose target market is the executive-level staff of the approximately 9,000 U.S. credit unions. The greatest interest for our content is in credit unions of $25 million in assets or greater, of which there are about 3,000.
Credit Union BUSINESS fills an emerging void in the information with which credit union executives have traditionally been presented. For years – in fact, decades – credit unions were primarily sleepy, little institutions whose sole purpose was to provide savings accounts, loans and possibly checking accounts to their consumer members. Over the past decade, however, the role of the credit union has changed. Many have formed CUSOs (credit union service organizations), subsidiary organizations that are able to offer products and services outside the scope of the credit union charter. Community charters, which allow credit unions to accept members based on geographic area, are increasingly popular. Member business services – both deposit and lending – are on the rise. And credit unions are facing increasing scrutiny and attacks by banks. In short, credit unions are now being forced to think more like businesses. Yet, the traditional credit union trade press has not stepped up to fill this need.
The single goal of Credit Union BUSINESS is to provide credit union executives with timely and valuable information that they can use to improve their business operations. We do this by providing examples from both inside and outside the credit union industry. Inside the credit union industry, we look for examples of best practices from every possible facet of Credit Union BUSINESS operations. Outside the credit union industry, we'll consider any case study that has something to offer our readers. For example, a company with a great call center operation can probably offer some valuable lessons regardless of its industry. All of our articles rely heavily on interviews with experts in whatever field we happen to be discussing.

The CUB Writer
The tone of Credit Union BUSINESS is professional, but not stuffy. The "new guard" of credit union executives is younger and are probably as familiar with "… for Dummies" books as they are with The Wall Street Journal. Again and above all, our articles must provide our readers with information that they can immediately put into action.

The ideal Credit Union BUSINESS writer has some experience with credit unions, or at least banks. However, this is not absolutely essential. The ability to understand our readers (The C Level credit union executives) and to appreciate and explain how information from other industries relates to credit unions will often be sufficient. A clear, concise, informative writing style and outstanding interviewing skills are absolutely essential.

The Process
Each year Credit Union BUSINESS creates an Editorial Calendar (available on request). Once it is available, our current writers are sent a copy. The writers, then in turn, submit inquiries. On occasion, Credit Union BUSINESS will assign articles based on industry needs. Freelance writers may submit inquiries at any time. All writers are asked to submit ideas for new topics, new monthly columns, or any other concepts that come to mind.

Submission Requirements
All submissions will be submitted no later than the 24th of the month approximately 5 weeks prior to the publication issue (example January 24 for a March issue).

Since we plan every magazine, please do not over/under-run by more than 100 words without first contacting the editor and gaining agreement.

Credit Union BUSINESS buys first North American serial rights, plus the right to archive on our Web site indefinitely after publication. We pay upon publication and offer no kill fee. If we assign an article, and your work is acceptable, we'll use it. If for some reason the article is rejected, it may be published at a later date or simply killed (we do not pay kill fees.) The writer will be notified if either of these conditions occur.

Email all queries, questions, and submissions to “editor” at creditunionbusiness.com or “editor” at cubizmag.com.

Credit Union BUSINESS is very proud of the people who work in and with the CU industry. As such, we request that every writer try to get HI RES pictures of interviewees or facilities.

Since we are a business magazine, we are constantly developing key contacts in the industry. For example, we have current contacts in Auto Loans, Warrantees, ATM Technology, Credit Cards, Corporate CU Investments, HR, Facilities, Check Printing, Insurance, Lending, Marketing, Member Business Services, and General Technology. If you are writing on any of these subjects, please contact the editor for contact information. We have found these resources to be highly valued and perhaps will be excellent additions to your research and interviewing.

All articles are requested to follow a similar format found in these guidelines:

• Times New Roman (12 pt)
• By line inserted just after the headlines (please use B-heads to break the text)
• Single spaced paragraphs
• Single space between sentences
• Justified
• TABs (.25”)
• Use header to insert article headline and writer name.
• Use footer to include page numbering, issue (February 2008), and word length (actual)
• Please identify sidebars and pull quotes.
• Include writer profile (a sentence or two in italics at the end of the article that includes a word or two about the writer and contact information as desired. This will appear in the published version.)
• Special formatting: If you need special formatting (everything from italics to sidebars), please let us know either in the submission email or by using the comments feature in MSWord. Please do NOT use special formatting in your article.
• We use AP style.

Payments and Invoices
Credit Union BUSINESS will pay on publication, not acceptance. For example, an article accepted on the 24th will not generate a payment until the first week of publication, roughly 5 weeks.

If you overrun your assigned length, please do not bill us for that overrun without written approval of the editor. If you under-run the assigned length by less than 100 words, you may bill the full assigned rate; however, if you under-run by more than 100 words, contact the editor and invoice only the exact words written.

All invoices must be submitted with the article. Credit Union BUSINESS will not pay without an invoice.

Sample Writer’s Contract
Credit Union BUSINESS typically does not use contracts to assign and accept articles; however, a contract can be made immediately available if the writer so desires.

Thank you!