Industry Press
The Press Center allows credit unions and their partners to share important news and keep accomplishments front and center in the credit union industry.
BAXTER CREDIT UNION (BCU) ANNOUNCES CEO SUCCESSION PLAN
Baxter Credit Union (BCU) today announced that following regular succession planning discussions with the Board of Directors, BCU’s President/CEO, Michael G. Valentine, has informed the Board of his decision to retire in 2027.
BCU WEALTH ADVISORS, LLC HONORED AT KEHRER GROUP’S 2025 TOP DIRECTORS AWARDS
BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC is proud to announce that Kristi Mertens, CFP®, Managing Director of BCU Wealth Advisors, has been ranked #4 in the nation in the Women-Led Firms category by the Kehrer Group’s Top Director Awards.
BCU Named A Computerworld 2026 Best Place To Work In IT
BCU has been ranked No. 2 among small organizations on Foundry’s Computerworld 2026 Best Places to Work in IT. This recognition highlights BCU’s belief that taking care of our people leads to better experiences for our members. From flexible work arrangements and inclusive culture to professional development and fun onsite perks, the Credit Union committed
BCU PRESIDENT, CEO MIKE VALENTINE RECOGNIZED WITH HERB WEGNER MEMORIAL AWARD, THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT’S HIGHEST NATIONAL HONOR
BCU President and CEO, Mike Valentine, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement by the National Credit Union Foundation. This honor recognizes Mike’s exceptional contributions to the credit union movement, his visionary leadership, and his unwavering commitment to improving financial well-being for all.
BCU, AVIARYAI PARTNER TO REVOLUTIONIZE MEMBER SERVICES THROUGH AI FOLLOWING HURRICANE RELIEF OUTREACH
BCU and AviaryAI are excited to announce a significant strategic partnership as BCU invests in AviaryAI, a cutting-edge AI startup specializing in AI communications for financial institutions. This partnership emerges after a highly successful collaboration during the recent hurricane relief efforts, which demonstrated the profound impact of outbound AI voice agents on member support.
BCU EXPANDS EFFORTS TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEES, MEMBERS AFFECTED BY HURRICANES HELENE, MILTON
As the southern US braced for the impact of Hurricane Helene, with Hurricane Milton fast following, BCU swiftly activated its disaster relief assistance, fulfilling its promise to be “Here Today, For Your Tomorrow.”
BCU PRESIDENT & CEO MIKE VALENTINE HONORED WITH 2025 HERB WEGNER MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT
BCU is proud to announce that President and CEO Mike Valentine has been honored with the 2025 Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF). This prestigious accolade celebrates Mike’s visionary leadership and innovation, relentless advocacy for financial well-being, and his profound impact on
BCU NAMED ONE OF 10 MOST RESPECTED CREDIT UNIONS IN ILLINOIS FOR 2024 BY CARDRATES
BCU is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of the 10 Most Respected Credit Unions in Illinois and received the top spot by being named #1 Illinois Credit Union for Mortgages in 2024 by CardRates.com, a leading financial news platform. This prestigious honor highlights BCU’s commitment to service excellence and comprehensive
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LIFE. MONEY. YOU.® AMONG 2024 CU TIMES LUMINARIES FINALISTS
BCU is proud to announce Bjorn Larson, Executive Director of Life. Money. You.®, LLC (LMY) Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) owned by BCU, has joined the Credit Union Times LUMINARIES Class of 2024 Finalists in the Third-Party/Fintech/Trade Associations/CUSOs – Executive Leadership individual categories, respectively.
VISA OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024 SWEEPSTAKES FOR BCU – GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Thanks to Visa, BCU is delighted to announce the winners of the Visa Olympic Games Paris 2024 sweepstakes for BCU. Running from February 15 to April 15, 2024, the sweepstakes provided BCU Visa cardholders with the opportunity to win exceptional prizes, including a trip to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, simply by using their Visa®
BCU Announces 2024 Scholarship Program Recipients
BCU’s commitment to Empowering People To Discover Financial Freedom continues with the announcement of the 2024 scholarship program recipients. This year, BCU is honored to present ten distinguished Leader of Tomorrow awards – including the new Tom Hodson Compassionate Leader Award for outstanding leadership and commitment to service, and two new A. Rex Johnson BCU
BCU NAMED ONE OF 10 MOST RESPECTED CREDIT UNIONS IN AMERICA FOR 2024 BY CARDRATES
BCU is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of the 10 Most Respected Credit Unions in America for 2024 by CardRates.com, a leading financial news platform. This prestigious recognition highlights BCU’s commitment to excellence, member satisfaction, and financial education.
BCU NAMED TWO-TIME GALLUP® EXCEPTIONAL WORKPLACE AWARD WINNER
BCU is honored to have earned the 2024 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for the second consecutive year. This award recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world. Unwavering in its Purpose of Empowering People to Discover Financial Freedom, the Credit Union keeps members and employees at the forefront of every decision it makes.
BCU PRESIDENT, CEO MIKE VALENTINE INDUCTED TO CREDIT UNION HOUSE HALL OF LEADERS
Nominated by the Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL), Mike Valentine, BCU President & CEO, was recently inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in Washington, D.C., joining a prestigious group of previous inductees from across the country. This distinguished honor provides lasting recognition to credit union leaders past and present whose commitments have
Sound Credit Union Welcomes Jamie Mullenix as SVP/Chief People and Culture Office
Day 1 of ALM First Financial Institute Kicks Off with Economic Overview, Depository Trends & Timely Insights
For Immediate Release – Securityplus Federal Credit Union Elevates Strategy and Lending Leadership with Key Executive Moves
Orsa Credit Union Selects Appli to Modernize Digital Member Experience
University of Lending: Strengthening Credit Union Lending from the Inside Out
SchoolsFirst FCU Partners with Friends of Sacramento Arts for the 2026 Heroes of Arts Education Gala
BAXTER CREDIT UNION (BCU) ANNOUNCES CEO SUCCESSION PLAN
Kemba Credit Union Selects Arkatechture as Strategic Data Analytics Partner
LAFCU promotes Morgan Pray to vice president of ATM/ITM operations
Women make up 60% of the workforce at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union
ACUMA Recognized with Great Benefits Award from Mployer
LAFCU promotes longtime employee Kim Hengsbach to assistant collections manager
ACUMA Welcomes Three New Board Members
eDOC Innovations and Advanced Fraud Solutions Partner to Bring Deposit Fraud Intelligence to Credit Union Check Imaging
Indiana Members Credit Union Celebrates Bottleworks Headquarters Grand Opening and 70th Anniversary
Maine Credit Unions Expand Financial Education with New Curriculum Focused on Protecting Assets and Preventing Fraud
LGE Community Credit Union honored with MemberXP Best of the Best Award
Illinois Credit Union League Announces New Young Professional Associate Director Position
FMSI and Appli Partner to Help Credit Union Branches Drive Member Revenue
Alogent’s FASTdocs Earns Finalist Spot in CreditUnions.com’s 2026 Innovation Series for Employee Enablement
Vizo Financial Named 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner for Fourth Consecutive Year
EECU Sponsors Clovis Unified’s Latino Student Success Conference
Suntell launches AI-powered SpreadIQ™ to accelerate tax return analysis and underwriting workflows
ORIGENCE ANNOUNCES DAYMOND JOHN AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR LENDING TECH LIVE ’26 CONFERENCE
ELGA Credit Union Completes Acquisition of Marine Bank
Heartland Credit Union Selects Aaron Rios As New CEO
EECU Named Best Credit Union and Home Loans in North SLO County
Redwood Credit Union Surpasses $1 Million in Giving Support for Redwood Empire Food Bank
Family Trust Federal Credit Union Joins Upstate Credit Unions for Habitat Greenville Credit Union Build 2026
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 6, 2026
Sound Credit Union Welcomes Jamie Mullenix as SVP/Chief People and Culture Office
Day 1 of ALM First Financial Institute Kicks Off with Economic Overview, Depository Trends & Timely Insights
For Immediate Release – Securityplus Federal Credit Union Elevates Strategy and Lending Leadership with Key Executive Moves
Orsa Credit Union Selects Appli to Modernize Digital Member Experience
University of Lending: Strengthening Credit Union Lending from the Inside Out
SchoolsFirst FCU Partners with Friends of Sacramento Arts for the 2026 Heroes of Arts Education Gala
BAXTER CREDIT UNION (BCU) ANNOUNCES CEO SUCCESSION PLAN
Kemba Credit Union Selects Arkatechture as Strategic Data Analytics Partner
LAFCU promotes Morgan Pray to vice president of ATM/ITM operations
Women make up 60% of the workforce at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union
ACUMA Recognized with Great Benefits Award from Mployer
LAFCU promotes longtime employee Kim Hengsbach to assistant collections manager
ACUMA Welcomes Three New Board Members
eDOC Innovations and Advanced Fraud Solutions Partner to Bring Deposit Fraud Intelligence to Credit Union Check Imaging
Indiana Members Credit Union Celebrates Bottleworks Headquarters Grand Opening and 70th Anniversary
Maine Credit Unions Expand Financial Education with New Curriculum Focused on Protecting Assets and Preventing Fraud
LGE Community Credit Union honored with MemberXP Best of the Best Award
Illinois Credit Union League Announces New Young Professional Associate Director Position
FMSI and Appli Partner to Help Credit Union Branches Drive Member Revenue
Alogent’s FASTdocs Earns Finalist Spot in CreditUnions.com’s 2026 Innovation Series for Employee Enablement
Vizo Financial Named 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner for Fourth Consecutive Year
EECU Sponsors Clovis Unified’s Latino Student Success Conference
Suntell launches AI-powered SpreadIQ™ to accelerate tax return analysis and underwriting workflows
ORIGENCE ANNOUNCES DAYMOND JOHN AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR LENDING TECH LIVE ’26 CONFERENCE
ELGA Credit Union Completes Acquisition of Marine Bank
Heartland Credit Union Selects Aaron Rios As New CEO
EECU Named Best Credit Union and Home Loans in North SLO County
Redwood Credit Union Surpasses $1 Million in Giving Support for Redwood Empire Food Bank
Family Trust Federal Credit Union Joins Upstate Credit Unions for Habitat Greenville Credit Union Build 2026
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 6, 2026
Sound Credit Union Welcomes Jamie Mullenix as SVP/Chief People and Culture Office
Day 1 of ALM First Financial Institute Kicks Off with Economic Overview, Depository Trends & Timely Insights
For Immediate Release – Securityplus Federal Credit Union Elevates Strategy and Lending Leadership with Key Executive Moves
Orsa Credit Union Selects Appli to Modernize Digital Member Experience
University of Lending: Strengthening Credit Union Lending from the Inside Out
SchoolsFirst FCU Partners with Friends of Sacramento Arts for the 2026 Heroes of Arts Education Gala