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 Connection That Came Full Circle

When GreenState Credit Union launched its new auto recapture list in early 2024, Leen immediately saw it as more than a data initiative — it was a chance to deepen relationships. Blake was one of the first members she assisted from that list, and during the next three months, Leen helped Blake and his family […]

Hope Delivered Just In Time

Central Willamette Credit Union

We had a newly married couple join the credit union in 2022. During the account opening, we found out that the couple was unexpectedly pregnant and the husband had lost his job, got a new, lower paying job and as such they were forced to move. As the husband had an ITIN, his traditional credit […]

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 […]

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 ...
Operations & HR

Laura Blanding Joins LAFCU As Vice President Of Membership Growth And Development

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has announced the appointment of Laura Blanding as vice president of membership growth and development.
Other

Stephanie Schmidt Earns Prestigious Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP) Certification

Corporate Central is proud to announce that Stephanie Schmidt, Vice President Member Services, has officially earned the Accredited Faster Payments ...
Other

BECU to open new Neighborhood Financial Centers on Bainbridge Island and in Duvall, Washington

BECU, Washington’s largest credit union, will open new Neighborhood Financial Centers (NFCs) on Bainbridge Island and in Duvall, Washington. The ...
Personnel Promotions

Coastal Credit Union Hires Anita Marshall to Lead Rocky Mount Branch

Coastal Credit Union has hired Anita Marshall as Branch Manager of its location at 1080 N. Winstead Ave in Rocky ...
Making A Difference

LAFCU To Award $10K In Grants To Individuals Seeking Financial Relief

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is offering an opportunity to help individuals take charge of their financial well-being through its Pathway ...
Making A Difference

Credit Unions Join Others in Massachusetts to Raise Awareness of Dangerous Disease

Credit unions take action to educate the public, medical community, and first responders about Moyamoya Disease on May 6 Awareness ...
Strategic Partnerships

New Associate Board Member and Audit Committee Members to Join Advia Credit Union’s Dedicated Volunteers

Advia Credit Union is proud of the strong network of dedicated volunteers that make up its Board of Directors and ...
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 ...
Operations & HR

Laura Blanding Joins LAFCU As Vice President Of Membership Growth And Development

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has announced the appointment of Laura Blanding as vice president of membership growth and development.
Other

Stephanie Schmidt Earns Prestigious Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP) Certification

Corporate Central is proud to announce that Stephanie Schmidt, Vice President Member Services, has officially earned the Accredited Faster Payments ...
Other

BECU to open new Neighborhood Financial Centers on Bainbridge Island and in Duvall, Washington

BECU, Washington’s largest credit union, will open new Neighborhood Financial Centers (NFCs) on Bainbridge Island and in Duvall, Washington. The ...
Personnel Promotions

Coastal Credit Union Hires Anita Marshall to Lead Rocky Mount Branch

Coastal Credit Union has hired Anita Marshall as Branch Manager of its location at 1080 N. Winstead Ave in Rocky ...
Making A Difference

LAFCU To Award $10K In Grants To Individuals Seeking Financial Relief

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is offering an opportunity to help individuals take charge of their financial well-being through its Pathway ...
Making A Difference

Credit Unions Join Others in Massachusetts to Raise Awareness of Dangerous Disease

Credit unions take action to educate the public, medical community, and first responders about Moyamoya Disease on May 6 Awareness ...
Strategic Partnerships

New Associate Board Member and Audit Committee Members to Join Advia Credit Union’s Dedicated Volunteers

Advia Credit Union is proud of the strong network of dedicated volunteers that make up its Board of Directors and ...

Seven Credit Unions Select myCUmortgage as Their Home Loan Partner

myCUmortgage is thrilled to announce new partnerships with seven credit unions in the fourth quarter of 2025. New partnerships span coast-to-coast, representing 100,000 members and ...

Corporate One Federal Credit Union Marks More Than 70 New Connections to Immediate Payment Rails in 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Corporate One Federal Credit Union announced today that it successfully completed 71 new connections to the RTP network or FedNow Service through ...

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 ...

Corporate Central Welcomes Vikram Israni to Board as Jay Magulski Retires

Corporate Central has announced a leadership transition on its board of directors, marking the retirement of longtime volunteer Director Jay Magulski and the appointment of ...

Coastal Credit Union Foundation Awards Nearly $1 Million in Community Grants

The Coastal Credit Union Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the region in 2025, impacting more than two million lives. ...

Family Trust Federal Credit Union Named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions 2026 List

Family Trust Federal Credit Union (Family Trust) has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions 2026, earning a ...
Scroll to Top