ABOUT LEMON TREE CREATIVE

1. What does Lemon Tree Creative do? Lemon Tree Creative is a credit union marketing and operations consultancy led by Bobbie Garner, a Fractional CMO with 18+ years in financial marketing. We help credit unions increase loans, grow membership, run compliant marketing, negotiate vendor contracts, apply for NCUA grants, and execute core conversions.

2. Is Lemon Tree Creative a credit union? No. Lemon Tree Creative is a marketing and operations consultancy that works exclusively with credit unions. We do not hold deposits, issue loans, or offer member accounts. If you're looking for a place to open an account, we're not that — but we probably work with a credit union you'd love.

3. Who is Bobbie Garner? Bobbie Garner is the founder of Lemon Tree Creative and a Fractional CMO for credit unions. She has more than 18 years of experience in financial marketing and leads the CuCurator credit union marketing platform based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

4. Where is Lemon Tree Creative located? Lemon Tree Creative is based in Indianapolis, Indiana and serves credit unions across all 50 U.S. states. Most engagements are delivered remotely, with the option of on-site visits for strategic planning, board presentations, or core conversion launches.

5. What's the difference between Lemon Tree Creative and CuCurator? Lemon Tree Creative is the consultancy — strategy, fractional CMO services, and custom work for credit unions on retainer. CuCurator is the platform — a marketing cooperative that gives credit union marketers instant access to ready-made, proven campaigns and templates. Most clients use both: strategy from Lemon Tree, creative from CuCurator.

SERVICES

6. What is a Fractional CMO for a credit union? A Fractional CMO is a senior marketing leader who works with a credit union on a part-time, retainer basis. Credit unions get CMO-level strategy, campaigns, and vendor oversight without the cost of a full-time executive. Lemon Tree Creative works with a limited number of credit unions on monthly retainers with a 6 to 12 month minimum.

7. What services do you offer credit unions? Our core services are Fractional CMO retainers, core conversion marketing assets, NCUA grant application assistance, loan and membership growth campaigns, vendor negotiations, and compliant marketing content. We can also plug in for one-off projects like brand refreshes, campaign launches, and board-ready marketing plans.

8. Can you help with our credit union's core conversion? Yes. We provide ready-to-use and custom core conversion marketing assets including member letters, website copy, direct mail, lobby artwork, tutorials, and mockups — all branded to match your credit union and compliance-reviewed against NCUA guidelines.

9. Do you help credit unions apply for NCUA grants? Yes. For low-income designated credit unions, we provide an NCUA Grant Guide and hands-on support to strengthen grant applications for initiatives like digital services, underserved member outreach, financial literacy, and leadership development.

10. Do you handle social media and content for credit unions? Yes. Social content, email newsletters, member stories, and campaign landing pages are all part of our work. Through CuCurator, you also get access to a library of ready-to-post social graphics and captions you can use immediately.

WHO WE WORK WITH

11. What size credit unions do you work with? We specialize in small and mid-sized credit unions — roughly $20M to $500M in assets — including low-income designated credit unions, community charters, and SEG-based credit unions. Larger credit unions hire us for specific projects like core conversions or campaign overhauls.

12. Do you work with banks? No. Lemon Tree Creative works exclusively with credit unions. That focus is intentional — it lets every recommendation we make be shaped by credit union compliance rules, NCUA priorities, and the cooperative mission.

PROCESS & ENGAGEMENT

13. How is an engagement structured? Most clients start with a monthly retainer with a 6 to 12 month minimum. We kick off with a marketing and operations audit, build a prioritized plan with your team, and then execute campaigns, content, and vendor projects month over month. Our longest-running client has been with us since 2008.

14. How is Lemon Tree Creative different from a typical marketing agency? We work only with credit unions. Every recommendation is shaped by credit union compliance rules, CAMEL ratings, NCUA priorities, and the realities of small-team operations. We also pair strategy with done-for-you creative through our CuCurator platform — so you get both the thinking and the doing from one team.

15. How do I get started? Email Bobbie@lemontreecu.com or call 765-993-7290 for a no-obligation conversation. We'll review your current marketing, talk through priorities, and recommend a retainer tier, one-off project scope, or CuCurator access — whichever fits your credit union best.