Tower Federal Credit Union (Tower) has been named a multiple award winner in the prestigious 2026 Diamond Awards, presented by America’s Credit Unions. The annual national competition recognizes the most effective and innovative campaigns across the credit union industry.
Diamond Award: Social Media – Tower’s Instagram
Tower earned a Diamond Award for its Instagram strategy, which drove a 1,300% increase in followers.
To boost engagement, Tower embraced timely, culturally relevant content inspired by mainstream trends while staying grounded in its community roots through local sports storytelling and a continued focus on financial literacy.
“The key takeaway is that genuine content builds lasting relationships,” said Marc Wilensky, Vice President of Communications & Brand Marketing at Tower. “While contests can attract attention, we retained 96% of our followers post-contest because we consistently delivered meaningful content.”
Wilensky also noted an unexpected benefit: “One of the most rewarding outcomes was the internal cultural shift. Employees became enthusiastic social media ambassadors, sharing content organically across their own networks.”
He added, “Our success on Instagram proves that smaller institutions can compete with national banks through content that is bold, timely, and human. In a saturated market dominated by larger competitors, strategic social media allows us to punch above our weight and connect meaningfully with younger members.”
Diamond Award: Community Partnerships – Tower’s Hats for Heroes Orioles Program
Tower also earned a Diamond Award for its “Hats for Heroes” program, developed in partnership with the Baltimore Orioles.
Launched in 2025, the program demonstrates how strategic sponsorships can advance both community impact and business objectives.
Throughout the baseball season, active-duty military and Veteran members were invited to receive a free, custom-designed co-branded Tower/Orioles hat at home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
“By aligning with the Orioles Military Cap Program, we connected our brand to an iconic regional institution while honoring Veterans in a way that authentically reflects Tower’s mission of supporting our military heroes and Veterans,” said Tom Poe, Vice President and Director of Marketing at Tower.
“We know consumers are increasingly choosing financial partners based on shared values, not just rates or products,” he added. “This sponsorship helped us stand out by demonstrating our commitment to the communities we serve. The program delivered brand awareness beyond traditional advertising while connecting with key audiences. Most importantly, we saw that partnerships rooted in genuine values build stronger brand affinity while turning community impact into a competitive advantage.”
Record-Breaking Competition Year
This year’s Diamond Awards competition drew a record 1,481 submissions, reflecting the exceptional quality of work produced by credit unions nationwide.
“We are proud to recognize Tower and this year’s Diamond Award winners for their entries that deliver both creativity and results,” said Lorrell Bellotti, Diamond Awards Co-chair and Chief Marketing Officer at Western Vista FCU in Cheyenne, Wyoming. “These entries demonstrate an understanding of the people we serve and strategic execution that delivers measurable impact.”
