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.
BCU PRESIDENT, CEO MIKE VALENTINE RECOGNIZED WITH HERB WEGNER MEMORIAL AWARD, THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT’S HIGHEST NATIONAL HONOR By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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 By BCU

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
BCU NAMED ONE OF BEST CREDIT UNIONS OF 2024 BY CNET By BCU

BCU is proud to have once again topped CNET’s list of Best Credit Unions of 2024. The list was determined by CNET’s evaluation of credit unions with the highest APYs for one-year terms.
BCU Named a Computerworld 2024 Best Places to Work in IT By BCU

BCU has been recognized as no. 4 among small organizations in Foundry’s Computerworld 2024 Best Places to Work in IT. The Credit Union’s IT department is the embodiment of BCU’s dedication to employee well-being – offering flexible, hybrid work opportunities; an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); professional growth opportunities; other onsite perks such
BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC Celebrates Finalist Honors in Kehrer Group’s 2023 Top Directors Awards By BCU

BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC was recognized as a finalist in the Mid-Size Firms, Credit Union Firms categories, and ranked #4 as a top finalist in the Women-Led Firms category at the Kehrer Group’s annual Top Directors Awards ceremony earlier this month.
BCU PRESIDENT, CEO MIKE VALENTINE NAMED CREDIT UNION TIMES/ALM LUMINARIES WINNER By BCU

Mike Valentine, BCU President & CEO, was named Credit Union Times LUMINARIES/ALM Award winner in the Executive Leadership – Individual category. Valentine was selected out of 11 other distinguished credit union executives.
BCU Awards $22,000 in Home Makeover Sweepstakes By BCU

The current housing market shouldn’t stop you from achieving your home goals, so BCU surprised three lucky winners with a total of $22,000 to help them leverage their home equity like never before.
BCU CEO AND RETAIL BRANCH OPERATIONS SENIOR MANAGER AMONG 2023 CU TIMES LUMINARIES FINALISTS By BCU

BCU is proud to announce that President & CEO, Mike Valentine; and Senior Manager of Retail Branch Operations, Brandon Ewing, have joined the Credit Union Times LUMINARIES Class of 2023 Finalists in the Executive Leadership – Individuals and Community Impact – Individuals categories, respectively.
BCU Awards Scholarships to Undergraduate Students, Welcomes Former Recipient into Internship Program By BCU

BCU’s Purpose to Empower People to Discover Financial Freedom has fueled their scholarship program for a decade. Much like years passed, the Credit Union is pleased to present some of the nation’s most extraordinary young adults with scholarship funding to help empower their future. This includes ten honorary awards – nine Leader of Tomorrow Awards
BCU BECOMES FIRST ORGANIZATION TO RECEIVE “BUDGETNISTA STAMP OF APPROVAL” By BCU

After a year-long partnership with award-winning financial educator, Tiffany ‘The Budgetnista’ Aliche, BCU is proud to announce it has received the first-ever “Budgetnista Stamp of Approval.”
BCU HONORED WITH SILVER TELLY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING VIDEO PRODUCTION By BCU

BCU is thrilled to announce that it has been recognized with a Silver Telly award for its exceptional video production. The Credit Union’s creative team collaborated with production management company, The Urban Island, to create an engaging video to highlight the value of BCU membership.
CUE THE CONFETTI – BCU CELEBRATES ITS NEWEST BRANCH WITH GRAND OPENING EVENT By BCU

BCU’s Golden Valley Branch, centrally located within the Twin Cities, opened earlier this year and now that the Minnesota weather is warming, there is a lot to celebrate! With an event so big it spanned two days, the Branch hosted a Grand Opening celebration with food, games, giveaways, and more on Friday, May 5 and
BCU and BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC, Partner with CUNA Mutual Group By BCU

CUNA Mutual Group is pleased to announce an agreement to provide BCU, a fast-growing credit union, and BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC, a fee-based investment advisor, a powerful combination of CUNA Mutual Group and the investment and wealth management services of LPL Financial (Nasdaq: LPLA) (“LPL”).
BCU WINS CUNA COUNCILS DIAMOND AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL MARKETING By BCU

BCU has been honored with a 2023 Diamond Award by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing and Business Development Council. The CUNA Councils Diamond Awards is a prestigious annual marketing competition that recognizes credit unions for creative excellence and outstanding results.
BCU NAMED 2023 GALLUP EXCEPTIONAL WORKPLACE AWARD WINNER By BCU

BCU is honored to have earned the 2023 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA). This award recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world. Steadfast in its Purpose to Empower People to Discover Financial Freedom, the Credit Union keeps members at the forefront of every decision.
VISA 2023 NFL SWEEPSTAKES FOR BCU – WINNERS ANNOUNCED By BCU

The Visa 2023 NFL Sweepstakes for BCU awarded members with one of two prize packages to celebrate Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.
BCU ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO ITS SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM By BCU

BCU is proud to announce the hiring of Bhavna Guglani as Chief Digital Officer, and the promotions of Maggie Garcia, BCU Senior Vice-President of Deposits and Contact Center Operations and Keith Parris, BCU Vice-President of Contact Centers.
6 WAYS TO EMPOWER FINANCIAL FREEDOM FROM THE WOMEN OF BCU WEALTH ADVISORS By BCU

what should women focus on to ensure a smoother path to financial freedom? Here are six key steps to empowering a brighter financial future, coupled with advice from the women of BCU Wealth Advisors.
EECU Partners with Wonderful College Prep Academy GEAR UP to Expand Financial Education
CreditUnions.com Announces 2025 Innovation Series Winners
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 28, 2025
LAFCU’s $10K Innovation for Education grant to fund school improvements
Vizo Financial’s April 2025 Education Calendar
Indiana Members Credit Union Contributes $1,500 to Greenwood Community High School
LAFCU strengthens team with key promotion and new hires
LAFCU celebrates reading month with a sweet lesson in financial literacy
36 CUES Emerge Participants Selected from Record Number of Applicants
USSFCU Recognized Nationally as a 2025 USA Today Top Workplace
Protecht secures strategic investment to accelerate innovation and growth.
First Federal Savings Bank Selects Square 1 Credit Suite by Suntell
ORIGENCE ANNOUNCES AI FUTURIST STEVE BROWN AS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR LENDING TECH LIVE ’25
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Joins National “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” Movement to Protect Members’ Financial Well-Being
TowerCares Foundation Makes $300,000 Commitment to Maryland’s UMBC Cybersecurity Institute
Omnichannel Communication Strategies for Generational Consumer Engagement
Coastal Credit Union Promotes Michelle Shelton to Chief Operations Officer
Quavo Fraud & Disputes Publishes Consumer Research Revealing How Fraud Resolution Shapes Customer Loyalty
Redwood Credit Union Names Esteban Zuno Senior Vice President of Wealth, Insurance & Deposit Services
Truliant Foundation Awards $45,000 in Education Grants to Schools
Gulf Winds Credit Union Proudly Sponsors Springtime Tallahassee
Origence Lending Services serves 360,000 members and grows to 167 credit unions in 2024
DaLand CUSO Welcomes Blaze Credit Union as a Shareholder and Strategic Partner
Coastal Credit Union Opens Standalone Drive-Up Interactive Teller Machine in Knightdale, NC
Valley First Credit Union Celebrates 75 Years of Service, Commitment, and Community
CUNA Strategic Services’ Newest Alliance Provider Peacefully Simplifies Complex End-of-Life Planning and Estate Settlement
TruPartner Credit Union Expands Employee Giving with Matching Donations
CREDIT UNIONS FOR KIDS HOSTS 20TH WINE AUCTION RAISING $2.2 MILLION FOR CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
Indiana Members Credit Union Contributes $10,000 to Caroline Symmes Children’s Cancer Endowment for Cancer Awareness Card
State Employees’ Credit Union Announces 2025 Community Shred Day Events
EECU Partners with Wonderful College Prep Academy GEAR UP to Expand Financial Education
CreditUnions.com Announces 2025 Innovation Series Winners
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 28, 2025
LAFCU’s $10K Innovation for Education grant to fund school improvements
Vizo Financial’s April 2025 Education Calendar
Indiana Members Credit Union Contributes $1,500 to Greenwood Community High School
LAFCU strengthens team with key promotion and new hires
LAFCU celebrates reading month with a sweet lesson in financial literacy
36 CUES Emerge Participants Selected from Record Number of Applicants
USSFCU Recognized Nationally as a 2025 USA Today Top Workplace
Protecht secures strategic investment to accelerate innovation and growth.
First Federal Savings Bank Selects Square 1 Credit Suite by Suntell
ORIGENCE ANNOUNCES AI FUTURIST STEVE BROWN AS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR LENDING TECH LIVE ’25
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Joins National “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” Movement to Protect Members’ Financial Well-Being
TowerCares Foundation Makes $300,000 Commitment to Maryland’s UMBC Cybersecurity Institute
Omnichannel Communication Strategies for Generational Consumer Engagement
Coastal Credit Union Promotes Michelle Shelton to Chief Operations Officer
Quavo Fraud & Disputes Publishes Consumer Research Revealing How Fraud Resolution Shapes Customer Loyalty
Redwood Credit Union Names Esteban Zuno Senior Vice President of Wealth, Insurance & Deposit Services
Truliant Foundation Awards $45,000 in Education Grants to Schools
Gulf Winds Credit Union Proudly Sponsors Springtime Tallahassee
Origence Lending Services serves 360,000 members and grows to 167 credit unions in 2024
DaLand CUSO Welcomes Blaze Credit Union as a Shareholder and Strategic Partner
Coastal Credit Union Opens Standalone Drive-Up Interactive Teller Machine in Knightdale, NC
Valley First Credit Union Celebrates 75 Years of Service, Commitment, and Community
CUNA Strategic Services’ Newest Alliance Provider Peacefully Simplifies Complex End-of-Life Planning and Estate Settlement
TruPartner Credit Union Expands Employee Giving with Matching Donations
CREDIT UNIONS FOR KIDS HOSTS 20TH WINE AUCTION RAISING $2.2 MILLION FOR CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS
Indiana Members Credit Union Contributes $10,000 to Caroline Symmes Children’s Cancer Endowment for Cancer Awareness Card
State Employees’ Credit Union Announces 2025 Community Shred Day Events
EECU Partners with Wonderful College Prep Academy GEAR UP to Expand Financial Education

CreditUnions.com Announces 2025 Innovation Series Winners

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 28, 2025

LAFCU’s $10K Innovation for Education grant to fund school improvements

Vizo Financial’s April 2025 Education Calendar

Indiana Members Credit Union Contributes $1,500 to Greenwood Community High School
