The Member Story Project

The Member Story Project celebrates the powerful, personal moments between credit unions and the people they serve. Through heartfelt stories of real-life impact, this initiative highlights the moments when credit unions made a meaningful difference. Whether they offered support during a crisis, helped a dream come true, or simply showed up when it mattered most, these stories speak volumes.

They reflect the essence of the credit union movement: real people helping real people. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us.

Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear it. Submit your story here and be featured on CreditUnions.com.

The Member Story Project is sponsored by Callahan & Associates

A Young Father’s Road To Stability

Zeal Credit Union

A Zeal member since 2009 never had a loan over $1,000. After a charged-off credit card in 2019, he worked with our asset recovery team to repay his balance and regain full services. A few years later, he applied for an auto loan, but due to limited credit history, he only qualified with a co-signer […]

Setting Up Members For Financial Success

California Credit Union

When a couple reached out to us for help managing their unsecured debt, they were feeling overwhelmed. After the husband lost his job during COVID, the family relied on credit cards to cover everyday expenses. Before long, their cards were maxed out, interest rates were sky-high, and even though they made their payments, the balances […]

Moving Members Out Of A Debt Cycle

California Credit Union

A member reached out to us feeling overwhelmed by mounting credit card debt. With interest rates ranging from 17.99% to 27%, her minimum payments barely made a dent, keeping her trapped in a cycle of high-interest debt. After listening to her concerns and reviewing her situation, our team suggested a personal loan to consolidate her […]

Homeownership Education Sparks Generational Change

A member successfully used GLCU’s homebuyer education and counseling program to reach her goal of becoming a first-time homeowner. She wanted a two-flat unit for her and her daughters. She wanted control over her living comfort. GLCU worked with the member to set a budget, improve her credit, and change her behavior. She eventually was […]

A Twinkie Can Save A Life

A TDECU Member sent us this heartwarming letter: “I came to the bank to do my usual business on Thursday morning. Rocio was a wonderful person. It was my birthday and she gave me a Hostess Twinkie as a small gift. I am an insulin-dependent diabetic, and I was doing some charity work when my […]

Marine Hockey Team Builds Brotherhood

Navy Federal Credit Union

Marine Tyler Bluder revived a Marine Corps hockey team in 2016 to reconnect veterans through the sport they love. Now, the team — made up of Marines, Navy Corpsmen, and active-duty service members from across the globe — heads into the season with deeper bonds and stronger support, thanks in part to Navy Federal Credit […]

Making A Difference

Local Graduates Partner with EECU to Prepare for College Success

Fresno, CA – May 16, 2025 – A dedicated group of high school seniors from Kings Canyon High School in ...
New Product Releases

Interior Federal Unveils New Website

Interior Federal is proud to announce the official launch of its brand-new website; a reflection of the Credit Union’s rebrand ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: May 16, 2025

Released every Friday, BMU is a brief and informative newsletter that provides financial institutions a review of the week’s economic ...
Making A Difference

Indiana Members Credit Union Named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions for Second Year

Indiana Members Credit Union is pleased to announce they have been recognized as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and ...
Making A Difference

Kirsten Tahara, First Grade Teacher at Ethel I. Baker Elementary School in Sacramento, Named 2024/2025 Esquire IMAX Teacher of the Year

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, in ...
Making A Difference

Valley First Credit Union Announces Wes Hall Memorial Fund to Honor a Founding Leader’s Legacy

MODESTO, Calif. May 13, 2025 – Valley First Credit Union proudly announces the establishment of the Wes Hall Memorial Fund, ...
Personnel Promotions

For Immediate Release – Abri Credit Union Selects John O’Brien as Vice President of Finance

Romeoville, IL, May 15, 2025. Abri Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of John O’Brien as its new ...
Personnel Promotions

Coastal Credit Union Names Ewelina Caplap Vice President, Coastal Wealth Management

Coastal Credit Union announced that Ewelina Caplap has been appointed to Vice President of Coastal Wealth Management, available through CFS*. ...
Other

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Receives NASCUS Reaccreditation

The National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) is pleased to announce that the Michigan Department of Insurance and ...
Making A Difference

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Celebrates School Employee Appreciation Night at May 9 Angels Game

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, sponsored ...
Making A Difference

EECU Proudly Sponsors 21st Annual Slick Rock Student Film Festival

Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) is honored to announce its sponsorship of the 21st Annual Slick Rock Student Film Festival, ...
Other

Corporate Central Holds 44th Annual Meeting and Announces Board of Directors

Corporate Central held its 44th Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 8, at the Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI, ...
Strategic Partnerships

Suncoast Credit Union Partner with Informed to Accelerate Funding and Dealer Satisfaction

Informed.IQ and Suncoast Credit Union have partnered to implement the VerifyIQ AI platform, aimed at accelerating auto loan funding and ...
Making A Difference

Defend Against Fraud and ID Theft at Redwood Credit Union’s Free Shred-a-Thons

A crucial step in protecting against fraud and identity theft is to securely dispose of sensitive documents and electronic waste ...
Technology

CULA’s AI-driven Self Inspection Cuts Lease-End Turnaround Times by 50%

Over 11,000 lessees have completed self-inspections in just 10 minutes with a smartphone; new program drives lease-end efficiency, cost savings, ...
Personnel Promotions

Great Lakes Credit Union Featured In Callahan & Associates’ “Anatomy Of A Credit Union”

Washington, DC (April 2025) – Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) has been featured in the Spring 2025 edition of Callahan ...
Marketing

Appli CEO Tim Pranger to Showcase AI-Powered Loan Calculator at 2025 Auto Finance Summit East

Appli, the creator of the industry’s first AI-powered smart financial calculator, today announced that Founder and CEO Tim Pranger will ...
Operations & HR

LAFCU Strengthens Lending Team With Addition Of Two Mortgage Loan Officers

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has welcomed Samip Patel and Michael Richards to its team, reinforcing the credit union’s commitment to ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: May 09, 2025

Released every Friday, BMU is a brief and informative newsletter that provides financial institutions a review of the week’s economic ...
Operations & HR

Corporate One Announces 2025 Board of Directors

Three members were re-elected to Corporate One Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors at the annual meeting on April 24: ...
Operations & HR

Jeremiah Kossen Appointed to Corporate One Federal Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee

Corporate One Federal Credit Union announced today that Jeremiah Kossen, President/CEO of Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) in Lakeland, ...
Making A Difference

Indiana Members Credit Union Announces 2025 Cancer Awareness Card Beneficiary

Indiana Members Credit Union is pleased to announce Strides for Sarcoma as the new member-nominated beneficiary for its Cancer Awareness ...
Making A Difference

EECU Honored for Support of Hmong American Day Celebration

Fresno, CA – Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) proudly sponsored the 2025 Hmong American Day celebration, a vibrant two-day cultural ...
Lending

Desert Financial Credit Union Launches Private Student Loan and Refinance Solutions with CU Student Choice

CU Student Choice, the leading provider of higher education financing solutions to America’s credit unions, announced its student lending solutions ...
Making A Difference

SECU Foundation Awards Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley with $600,000 Grant for New Medical Facility

SECU Foundation has announced a $600,000 challenge grant for Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley (GCYV) to assist with the construction ...
Operations & HR

Valley First Credit Union Announces Board Re-Elections and New Appointments at Annual Meeting

MODESTO, Calif. May 6, 2025 – Valley First Credit Union is pleased to announce the results of its recent Annual ...
Personnel Promotions

LAFCU’s Kelli Ellsworth Etchison Honored With Lansing Community College Distinguished Alumni Award

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is proud to announce that Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, the credit union’s chief marketing officer and chief ...
Operations & HR

Redwood Credit Union Elects Board of Directors

Redwood Credit Union recently re-elected volunteer board members Judy Herrerias-James, Lisa Wittke Schaffner, and Rod Dole.
Other

TriUnity Foundation Announces Board Elections and Strategic Focus for 2025-2026

TriUnity Foundation, a nonprofit committed to relieving the financial burden of terminal illness through credit union collaboration, has announced its ...
Lending

Revolutionizing Payoffs- No More Paper Checks!

EPIC Lauches Payoff clearinghouse for Auto Lenders EPIC is transforming the way financial institutions receive loan and lease payoffs on ...
Making A Difference

Local Graduates Partner with EECU to Prepare for College Success

Fresno, CA – May 16, 2025 – A dedicated group of high school seniors from Kings Canyon High School in ...
New Product Releases

Interior Federal Unveils New Website

Interior Federal is proud to announce the official launch of its brand-new website; a reflection of the Credit Union’s rebrand ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: May 16, 2025

Released every Friday, BMU is a brief and informative newsletter that provides financial institutions a review of the week’s economic ...
Making A Difference

Indiana Members Credit Union Named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions for Second Year

Indiana Members Credit Union is pleased to announce they have been recognized as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and ...
Making A Difference

Kirsten Tahara, First Grade Teacher at Ethel I. Baker Elementary School in Sacramento, Named 2024/2025 Esquire IMAX Teacher of the Year

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, in ...
Making A Difference

Valley First Credit Union Announces Wes Hall Memorial Fund to Honor a Founding Leader’s Legacy

MODESTO, Calif. May 13, 2025 – Valley First Credit Union proudly announces the establishment of the Wes Hall Memorial Fund, ...
Personnel Promotions

For Immediate Release – Abri Credit Union Selects John O’Brien as Vice President of Finance

Romeoville, IL, May 15, 2025. Abri Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of John O’Brien as its new ...
Personnel Promotions

Coastal Credit Union Names Ewelina Caplap Vice President, Coastal Wealth Management

Coastal Credit Union announced that Ewelina Caplap has been appointed to Vice President of Coastal Wealth Management, available through CFS*. ...
Other

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Receives NASCUS Reaccreditation

The National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) is pleased to announce that the Michigan Department of Insurance and ...
Making A Difference

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Celebrates School Employee Appreciation Night at May 9 Angels Game

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, sponsored ...
Making A Difference

EECU Proudly Sponsors 21st Annual Slick Rock Student Film Festival

Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) is honored to announce its sponsorship of the 21st Annual Slick Rock Student Film Festival, ...
Other

Corporate Central Holds 44th Annual Meeting and Announces Board of Directors

Corporate Central held its 44th Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 8, at the Kalahari Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI, ...
Strategic Partnerships

Suncoast Credit Union Partner with Informed to Accelerate Funding and Dealer Satisfaction

Informed.IQ and Suncoast Credit Union have partnered to implement the VerifyIQ AI platform, aimed at accelerating auto loan funding and ...
Making A Difference

Defend Against Fraud and ID Theft at Redwood Credit Union’s Free Shred-a-Thons

A crucial step in protecting against fraud and identity theft is to securely dispose of sensitive documents and electronic waste ...
Technology

CULA’s AI-driven Self Inspection Cuts Lease-End Turnaround Times by 50%

Over 11,000 lessees have completed self-inspections in just 10 minutes with a smartphone; new program drives lease-end efficiency, cost savings, ...
Personnel Promotions

Great Lakes Credit Union Featured In Callahan & Associates’ “Anatomy Of A Credit Union”

Washington, DC (April 2025) – Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) has been featured in the Spring 2025 edition of Callahan ...
Marketing

Appli CEO Tim Pranger to Showcase AI-Powered Loan Calculator at 2025 Auto Finance Summit East

Appli, the creator of the industry’s first AI-powered smart financial calculator, today announced that Founder and CEO Tim Pranger will ...
Operations & HR

LAFCU Strengthens Lending Team With Addition Of Two Mortgage Loan Officers

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has welcomed Samip Patel and Michael Richards to its team, reinforcing the credit union’s commitment to ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: May 09, 2025

Released every Friday, BMU is a brief and informative newsletter that provides financial institutions a review of the week’s economic ...
Operations & HR

Corporate One Announces 2025 Board of Directors

Three members were re-elected to Corporate One Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors at the annual meeting on April 24: ...
Operations & HR

Jeremiah Kossen Appointed to Corporate One Federal Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee

Corporate One Federal Credit Union announced today that Jeremiah Kossen, President/CEO of Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) in Lakeland, ...
Making A Difference

Indiana Members Credit Union Announces 2025 Cancer Awareness Card Beneficiary

Indiana Members Credit Union is pleased to announce Strides for Sarcoma as the new member-nominated beneficiary for its Cancer Awareness ...
Making A Difference

EECU Honored for Support of Hmong American Day Celebration

Fresno, CA – Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) proudly sponsored the 2025 Hmong American Day celebration, a vibrant two-day cultural ...
Lending

Desert Financial Credit Union Launches Private Student Loan and Refinance Solutions with CU Student Choice

CU Student Choice, the leading provider of higher education financing solutions to America’s credit unions, announced its student lending solutions ...
Making A Difference

SECU Foundation Awards Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley with $600,000 Grant for New Medical Facility

SECU Foundation has announced a $600,000 challenge grant for Grace Clinic of Yadkin Valley (GCYV) to assist with the construction ...
Operations & HR

Valley First Credit Union Announces Board Re-Elections and New Appointments at Annual Meeting

MODESTO, Calif. May 6, 2025 – Valley First Credit Union is pleased to announce the results of its recent Annual ...
Personnel Promotions

LAFCU’s Kelli Ellsworth Etchison Honored With Lansing Community College Distinguished Alumni Award

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is proud to announce that Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, the credit union’s chief marketing officer and chief ...
Operations & HR

Redwood Credit Union Elects Board of Directors

Redwood Credit Union recently re-elected volunteer board members Judy Herrerias-James, Lisa Wittke Schaffner, and Rod Dole.
Other

TriUnity Foundation Announces Board Elections and Strategic Focus for 2025-2026

TriUnity Foundation, a nonprofit committed to relieving the financial burden of terminal illness through credit union collaboration, has announced its ...
Lending

Revolutionizing Payoffs- No More Paper Checks!

EPIC Lauches Payoff clearinghouse for Auto Lenders EPIC is transforming the way financial institutions receive loan and lease payoffs on ...

C.A.R.E.S. in Action: Peach State FCU Completes Successful Toys for Tots Drive

Peach State FCU recently completed a successful toy drive in support of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Every year, the credit union invites ...

CES Credit Union Appoints Mike Copley as President/CEO

Mount Vernon, OH, November 21, 2025. CES Credit Union has selected Mike Copley as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Copley, who has been ...

BECU members help direct $450,000 to nonprofits through People Helping People Awards

BECU, Washington’s largest credit union, is donating $450,000 to nonprofit organizations as part of its annual People Helping People Awards. Each year, BECU invites its ...

Coastal Credit Union Collects Toys for 200 Children in Salvation Army Angel Tree Program

Coastal Credit Union announced that it collected toys for 200 children in need, in partnership with the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Coastal hosted Angel ...

Informed.IQ Secures $63 Million from Invictus Growth Partners to Advance AI-Powered Fraud Prevention and Loan Verification

Informed.IQ, the leader in AI-powered loan verification and fraud prevention, today announced a $63 million growth equity investment from Invictus Growth Partners (“Invictus”). Trusted by ...

Vizo Financial Gives Back more than $4.8 Million to Capital Members

Recognizing the critical role its capital members played in its financial success this year, Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union is giving back upwards of $4.8 ...
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