One of the hottest movements in banking right now is affinity credit cards. For banks, they mean a new source of credit customers. For institutions and alumni organizations, they can mean an easy, inexpensive way to keep the institutional name in front of alumni. (MLW)

Four common services offered by college alumni associations for their alumni (credit cards, telephone services, mortgages, and insurance) can provide benefits to alumni while they raise money for the institution. Considerations in planning such services include what products to offer, choice of company, customer service standards, end-of-contract…