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.
MERGER PLANNED FOR HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATES CREDIT UNION (HACU) AND BAXTER CREDIT UNION (BCU)
HealthCare Associates Credit Union (HACU), a $479.4 million credit union headquartered in Lisle, IL, and Baxter Credit Union (BCU), a $6.5 billion credit union headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL, have announced their intent to merge.
BCU EARNS 2026-2027 GREAT PLACE TO WORK CERTIFICATION™
BCU is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work®. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at the Credit Union. This year, 88% of BCU employees said it’s a great place to work – ranking 31 points higher than the average US company.
BCU SHINES IN 2026 DIAMOND AWARDS HONORING MARKETING EXCELLENCE
BCU was among 181 credit unions nationwide honored with the prestigious Diamond Awards at the America’s Credit Unions Marketing, PR & Development Council’s annual competition recognizing excellence in credit union marketing.
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
Corporate Central Recertified as a Great Place To Work®
Saco Valley Credit Union Renews Long-Standing Core Processing Partnership with Synergent
Gulf Winds Welcomes Scott Piggott as Vice President of Business Transformation
Tower Federal Credit Union & TowerCares Foundation Announce Voting Results of $250,000 for a Brighter America Community Giving Initiative Supporting Military, Veterans, and Children in Need
Central Maine Federal Credit Union Selects Synergent for Core Processing and Integrated Services
Every Pete Alonso Home Run Will Support Maryland Veterans Through New ‘Homers for Heroes’ Initiative
Gulf Winds Welcomes Chase Mercer as Vice President of Workforce Excellence
Ancorum Credit Union Extends Core Processing Partnership with Synergent
Alogent Wins Editor’s Choice Excellence in Tech, Software and Service Providers Award for Advancing the Future of Payments
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: July 2, 2026
TriUnity Foundation Opens National Grant Cycle for Credit Union Members Facing Terminal Illness
Redwood Credit Union named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces 2026
Stephanie Schmidt Earns National Check Professional Accreditation
CUES and TruStage® Announce Inaugural 2026 Leadership Pathways Cohort
Texas A&M IBE Students Raise $54,000 for Local Nonprofits
SECU’s Statewide Network of 275 Branches to Serve as Collection Sites for Governor’s School Supply Drive
Tower Federal Credit Union Partners with Greenlight to Help Parents Raise Financially Smart Kids and Teens
Vizo Financial Announces Board Officers Following 2026 Annual Meeting
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: June 26, 2026
Worth Credit Union Names Katie Turner-Carr Senior Vice President – Chief People Officer
Ken Gardner Promoted to Vice President of Human Resources at Greater Texas|Aggieland Credit Union
Chartway Awards Directors’ Memorial Scholarships to 13 Student-Members
NASCUS Honors Janet Powell’s Distinguished Career and Service to the State Credit Union System
Credit union CDFI recertifications are beginning to be finalized
eDOC Innovations Launches eDOC Chat Beta Program
Vizo Financial’s July 2026 Education Calendar
Birthday Benefit Bash hits a high note for North Bay youth music programs
Alogent and Solution Optimizers Partner to Help Financial Institutions Optimize and Scale ECM Strategies
LAFCU promotes Steve Jorgensen to vice president of lending
Sound Credit Union Recognizes 2026 Scholarship Recipients
Corporate Central Recertified as a Great Place To Work®
Saco Valley Credit Union Renews Long-Standing Core Processing Partnership with Synergent
Gulf Winds Welcomes Scott Piggott as Vice President of Business Transformation
Tower Federal Credit Union & TowerCares Foundation Announce Voting Results of $250,000 for a Brighter America Community Giving Initiative Supporting Military, Veterans, and Children in Need
Central Maine Federal Credit Union Selects Synergent for Core Processing and Integrated Services
Every Pete Alonso Home Run Will Support Maryland Veterans Through New ‘Homers for Heroes’ Initiative
Gulf Winds Welcomes Chase Mercer as Vice President of Workforce Excellence
Ancorum Credit Union Extends Core Processing Partnership with Synergent
Alogent Wins Editor’s Choice Excellence in Tech, Software and Service Providers Award for Advancing the Future of Payments
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: July 2, 2026
TriUnity Foundation Opens National Grant Cycle for Credit Union Members Facing Terminal Illness
Redwood Credit Union named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces 2026
Stephanie Schmidt Earns National Check Professional Accreditation
CUES and TruStage® Announce Inaugural 2026 Leadership Pathways Cohort
Texas A&M IBE Students Raise $54,000 for Local Nonprofits
SECU’s Statewide Network of 275 Branches to Serve as Collection Sites for Governor’s School Supply Drive
Tower Federal Credit Union Partners with Greenlight to Help Parents Raise Financially Smart Kids and Teens
Vizo Financial Announces Board Officers Following 2026 Annual Meeting
Baker Market Update – Week in Review: June 26, 2026
Worth Credit Union Names Katie Turner-Carr Senior Vice President – Chief People Officer
Ken Gardner Promoted to Vice President of Human Resources at Greater Texas|Aggieland Credit Union
Chartway Awards Directors’ Memorial Scholarships to 13 Student-Members
NASCUS Honors Janet Powell’s Distinguished Career and Service to the State Credit Union System
Credit union CDFI recertifications are beginning to be finalized
eDOC Innovations Launches eDOC Chat Beta Program
Vizo Financial’s July 2026 Education Calendar
Birthday Benefit Bash hits a high note for North Bay youth music programs
Alogent and Solution Optimizers Partner to Help Financial Institutions Optimize and Scale ECM Strategies
LAFCU promotes Steve Jorgensen to vice president of lending
Sound Credit Union Recognizes 2026 Scholarship Recipients
Corporate Central Recertified as a Great Place To Work®
Saco Valley Credit Union Renews Long-Standing Core Processing Partnership with Synergent
Gulf Winds Welcomes Scott Piggott as Vice President of Business Transformation
Tower Federal Credit Union & TowerCares Foundation Announce Voting Results of $250,000 for a Brighter America Community Giving Initiative Supporting Military, Veterans, and Children in Need
Central Maine Federal Credit Union Selects Synergent for Core Processing and Integrated Services
Every Pete Alonso Home Run Will Support Maryland Veterans Through New ‘Homers for Heroes’ Initiative