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

Grace Behind Bars

New Horizon Federal Credit Union

When a young member came to us for a truck loan, he put down a solid deposit and made every payment on time. Then, suddenly, the payments stopped. His mother came in to explain that he had been incarcerated and would be gone for about six months. She wanted to keep his account in good […]

Hope In A Hard Time

A member called us just after getting out of the hospital, worried about her finances. She was approved for disability, but it wouldn’t start for another month, and her bills were already overdue. I listened to her concerns and immediately looked for solutions. I was able to secure a three-month deferment on her loan, so […]

A Family Tradition Of Food And Finance

Visit one of Austin’s Galaxy Cafe locations and you’ll instantly feel welcome. Cafe co-owner Kelly C. says that’s how he feels when he visits UFCU. Kelly has been a UFCU member since he started out in the food-service industry as a dishwasher in 1989. In 2004, the original Galaxy Cafe opened in South Austin, the […]

Turning A Homeownership Dream Into A Reality

For Henry, buying a first home from out of state could have been a complicated and stressful experience, but with GreenState Credit Union, it was smooth, personal, and even inspiring. From start to finish, the process took about a month. With most communication handled through text, email, and DocuSign, Henry appreciated how efficient and easy […]

Building Futures, One Youth Account At A Time

I recently helped a mother who visited our branch with questions about our youth accounts. She was clearly interested in making informed financial decisions for her children, so I took the time to walk her through our youth account options in detail. I explained the benefits, features, and long-term value of starting financial education early. […]

Big Dreams Wrapped In A Custom Bow Tie

Lake Trust Credit Union

Bleu Bowtique, a men’s clothier in Detroit, started from humble beginnings. Ne’Gyle Beaman’s passion for fashion gave him the idea to make custom bow ties, which he started selling at local craft fairs. But when it was time to scale his business, he couldn’t find funding for the equipment he needed. His business was in […]

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 ...
Making A Difference

U1 Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners

Universal 1 Credit Union (U1) members, Eva Johnson-Woods of Trotwood-Madison High School, and Addilyn Slinker of Beavercreek High School, were ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: May 02, 2025

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

RCU celebrates small business growth—in May and every day

As Redwood Credit Union (RCU) marks 75 years of service, it’s celebrating not just its own history but the stories ...
Making A Difference

Indiana Members Credit Union Awards $154,000 in Funds to Local Nonprofits through FHLBank Indianapolis Grant Program

Indiana Members Credit Union, in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, awarded three nonprofit organizations $154,000 in ...
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 ...
Making A Difference

U1 Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners

Universal 1 Credit Union (U1) members, Eva Johnson-Woods of Trotwood-Madison High School, and Addilyn Slinker of Beavercreek High School, were ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: May 02, 2025

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

RCU celebrates small business growth—in May and every day

As Redwood Credit Union (RCU) marks 75 years of service, it’s celebrating not just its own history but the stories ...
Making A Difference

Indiana Members Credit Union Awards $154,000 in Funds to Local Nonprofits through FHLBank Indianapolis Grant Program

Indiana Members Credit Union, in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, awarded three nonprofit organizations $154,000 in ...

QuantyPhi Welcomes Max Bade as ALM & CECL Analyst

QuantyPhi, a wholly owned CUSO of Corporate Central, is pleased to welcome Max Bade as ALM & CECL Analyst as the organization continues expanding its ...

LAFCU, Quality Dairy partner for third annual Paczki Palooza to benefit local charities

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU partnered with Quality Dairy for the third consecutive year as co-sponsor of Pączki Palooza, the popular pączki eating contest held Feb. ...

EECU Celebrates Fresno Unified Excellence in Education Honorees

FRESNO, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2026) – Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) proudly sponsored the Fresno Unified School District’s annual Excellence in Education awards ceremony, an ...

Coastal Credit Union Headquarters Renovation Earns Multiple Honors

Coastal Credit Union’s headquarters renovation has earned top recognition from both the Triangle Business Journal and the Carolinas AGC, underscoring the project’s impact as a ...

Woodford State Bank Selects Square 1 Credit Suite by Suntell

Woodford State Bank Selects Square 1 Credit Suite by Suntell February 23, 2026 — Suntell, a leading provider of loan origination software for commercial and ...

Suntell Marks 30 Years Advancing Commercial and Agricultural Lending Technology for Community Financial Institutions

Suntell Marks 30 Years Advancing Commercial and Agricultural Lending Technology for Community Financial Institutions Suntell is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of developing ...
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