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 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 […]

Guiding Generations Toward Financial Confidence

I recently helped a member who had opened a share and a checking account based on a recommendation she had received from her friend but had yet to make the final decision to move her entire relationship to Redwood Credit Union. Our member stated she has received positive feedback from friends and RCU and wanted […]

From Summer Home Upgrade To Smart Debt Relief

A Patelco Credit Union member came in to inquire about a home equity loan as he was planning on renovating his summer home. Originally, he requested $75,000 to cover the renovation expenses, however, during our assessment we uncovered the member has debt at quite high interest rates outside of Patelco. Our team brought up the […]

Other

State Employees’ Credit Union Announces 2025 Community Shred Day Events

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) has announced the 2025 dates for its statewide Shred Day program. This year, 24 events ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 14, 2025

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

A Tribute to Ed Fox: Honoring the Life and Leadership of Mid-Atlantic Corporate’s Former CEO

Edward J. (Ed) Fox, former CEO of Mid-Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union, passed away on March 9, 2025. Vizo Financial ...
Other

Unitus Community Credit Union Celebrates Former Board Chair’s Induction to AACUC Hall of Fame

Barbara J. Leonard inducted posthumously into the African American Credit Union Coalition’s (AACUC) Hall of Fame.
Making A Difference

Unitus Community Credit Union Celebrates International Community Heart Award Winners

Annual awards recognize those making a lasting impact on our global communities
Industry Analysis & Trends

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 ...
Making A Difference

Rivermark Donates $3 Million to Rebuilding Together PNW

March 13, 2025 For Immediate Release Rivermark Donates $3 Million to Rebuilding Together PNW PORTLAND, OR –The Rivermark Community Fund ...
Operations & HR

LGE Community Credit Union honored with MemberXP ‘Best of the Best’ Award

LGE Community Credit Union is honored to announce that it has been recognized as a recipient of the prestigious 2025 ...
Operations & HR

Vizo Financial Wins Third Consecutive Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award

Vizo Financial has been named a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) winner for the third consecutive year. Gallup analyzed team ...
Technology

Envisant Acquires IronSafe Software System

Envisant, the business subsidiary of the Illinois Credit Union League, has acquired the IronSafe software system from Trellance Cooperative Holdings, ...
Lending

ORIGENCE ANNOUNCES GENERAL BRADFORD SHWEDO AS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR LENDING TECH LIVE ’25 CONFERENCE

Origence, a leading provider of lending technology solutions, announces General Bradford Shwedo as a keynote speaker for its Lending Tech ...
Personnel Promotions

Chartway Ventures Welcomes Jennifer Addabbo and Samantha Paxson to Board

Chartway Ventures, the wholly owned Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) of Chartway Credit Union, welcomed Jennifer Addabbo and Samantha Paxson ...
Operations & HR

Boiling Springs Branch is Truliant’s Latest in Upstate S.C. Expansion

Truliant, a top 100 U.S. credit union, announced today the opening of a new branch location in Boiling Springs, S.C., ...
Strategic Partnerships

USSFCU Hosts Kenyan Delegation for Insightful Discussion on Global Financial Cooperation

The U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU) proudly hosted a distinguished delegation from Kenya for a lunch reception and discussion ...
Strategic Partnerships

Southeast Financial Credit Union Signs New Core Agreement with Synergent

(WESTBROOK, ME) – Synergent® is pleased to announce that Southeast Financial Credit Union has signed a new ten-year agreement for ...
Making A Difference

EECU Sponsors Disaster Preparedness Workshop

In light of an increasing number of disasters affecting communities nationwide, Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) partnered with the Community ...
Strategic Partnerships

FORUM Credit Union Selects CULA Vehicle Leasing Program

Credit Union Leasing of America expands national footprint, extends reach in Indiana, bringing the benefits of leasing to more credit ...
Personnel Promotions

Service One Credit Union Announces Matt Hutcheson as Chief Financial Officer

Service One Credit Union announces the promotion of Matt Hutcheson to Chief Financial Officer. Hutcheson has been with Service One ...
Personnel Promotions

LAFCU expands finance team with two new appointments

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has strengthened its finance team with the addition of Samantha Goris as finance manager and Amy Vitale as financial analyst. Both ...
Making A Difference

Deadline nears for LAFCU essay contest offering $20K in scholarships

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan high school seniors have until March 31 to apply for LAFCU’s Write to Educate Essay Contest, which will award a total ...
Marketing

EECU Crowned Best Credit Union and Home Loans in North SLO County

Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) is proud to announce its recognition in three categories of the 12th Annual Best of ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 07, 2025

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

Jon Looman joins LAFCU as vice president of facilities

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has welcomed Jon Looman as vice president of facilities, bringing decades of leadership experience and a deep understanding of the credit ...
Other

LAFCU wins national award for Shields Up! Phase Two in SIAA competition

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has won a national award in the 22nd Annual Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA) competition for the second phase of its ...
Other

New Book Helps Credit Unions Drive Purpose-Driven Growth

Washington, DC – Callahan & Associates is proud to announce the release of “Callahan’s Strategic Growth Framework”, a groundbreaking new book that provides credit union ...
Operations & HR

LGE Community Credit Union recognized with 2024 Gold Level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation

Cigna Healthcare has selected LGE Community Credit Union as a recipient of their 2024 Gold Level Healthy Workforce Designation for ...
Making A Difference

SchoolsFirst FCU Enhances Partnership with Los Rios Community College District

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, today ...
Personnel Promotions

United Federal Credit Union Names Josh Munoz Mortgage Advisor in Fort Smith

United Federal Credit Union (United) has appointed Josh Munoz to the position of Mortgage Advisor at its branch at 5800 ...
New Product Releases

GTE Financial Celebrates 90th Anniversary with Exclusive Offers and Exciting Events for Tampa Bay Lightning Fans

In honor of GTE Financial’s 90th anniversary and continued commitment to the community, the credit union is excited to unveil ...
New Product Releases

Intelligent Banking Solutions Launches SAFIRE-IQ

Intelligent Banking Solutions, a leading provider of collections and risk management software, has launched SAFIRE-IQ (Streamlined Automation for Financial Institutions’ ...
Other

State Employees’ Credit Union Announces 2025 Community Shred Day Events

State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) has announced the 2025 dates for its statewide Shred Day program. This year, 24 events ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 14, 2025

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

A Tribute to Ed Fox: Honoring the Life and Leadership of Mid-Atlantic Corporate’s Former CEO

Edward J. (Ed) Fox, former CEO of Mid-Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union, passed away on March 9, 2025. Vizo Financial ...
Other

Unitus Community Credit Union Celebrates Former Board Chair’s Induction to AACUC Hall of Fame

Barbara J. Leonard inducted posthumously into the African American Credit Union Coalition’s (AACUC) Hall of Fame.
Making A Difference

Unitus Community Credit Union Celebrates International Community Heart Award Winners

Annual awards recognize those making a lasting impact on our global communities
Industry Analysis & Trends

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 ...
Making A Difference

Rivermark Donates $3 Million to Rebuilding Together PNW

March 13, 2025 For Immediate Release Rivermark Donates $3 Million to Rebuilding Together PNW PORTLAND, OR –The Rivermark Community Fund ...
Operations & HR

LGE Community Credit Union honored with MemberXP ‘Best of the Best’ Award

LGE Community Credit Union is honored to announce that it has been recognized as a recipient of the prestigious 2025 ...
Operations & HR

Vizo Financial Wins Third Consecutive Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award

Vizo Financial has been named a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) winner for the third consecutive year. Gallup analyzed team ...
Technology

Envisant Acquires IronSafe Software System

Envisant, the business subsidiary of the Illinois Credit Union League, has acquired the IronSafe software system from Trellance Cooperative Holdings, ...
Lending

ORIGENCE ANNOUNCES GENERAL BRADFORD SHWEDO AS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR LENDING TECH LIVE ’25 CONFERENCE

Origence, a leading provider of lending technology solutions, announces General Bradford Shwedo as a keynote speaker for its Lending Tech ...
Personnel Promotions

Chartway Ventures Welcomes Jennifer Addabbo and Samantha Paxson to Board

Chartway Ventures, the wholly owned Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) of Chartway Credit Union, welcomed Jennifer Addabbo and Samantha Paxson ...
Operations & HR

Boiling Springs Branch is Truliant’s Latest in Upstate S.C. Expansion

Truliant, a top 100 U.S. credit union, announced today the opening of a new branch location in Boiling Springs, S.C., ...
Strategic Partnerships

USSFCU Hosts Kenyan Delegation for Insightful Discussion on Global Financial Cooperation

The U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU) proudly hosted a distinguished delegation from Kenya for a lunch reception and discussion ...
Strategic Partnerships

Southeast Financial Credit Union Signs New Core Agreement with Synergent

(WESTBROOK, ME) – Synergent® is pleased to announce that Southeast Financial Credit Union has signed a new ten-year agreement for ...
Making A Difference

EECU Sponsors Disaster Preparedness Workshop

In light of an increasing number of disasters affecting communities nationwide, Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) partnered with the Community ...
Strategic Partnerships

FORUM Credit Union Selects CULA Vehicle Leasing Program

Credit Union Leasing of America expands national footprint, extends reach in Indiana, bringing the benefits of leasing to more credit ...
Personnel Promotions

Service One Credit Union Announces Matt Hutcheson as Chief Financial Officer

Service One Credit Union announces the promotion of Matt Hutcheson to Chief Financial Officer. Hutcheson has been with Service One ...
Personnel Promotions

LAFCU expands finance team with two new appointments

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has strengthened its finance team with the addition of Samantha Goris as finance manager and Amy Vitale as financial analyst. Both ...
Making A Difference

Deadline nears for LAFCU essay contest offering $20K in scholarships

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan high school seniors have until March 31 to apply for LAFCU’s Write to Educate Essay Contest, which will award a total ...
Marketing

EECU Crowned Best Credit Union and Home Loans in North SLO County

Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) is proud to announce its recognition in three categories of the 12th Annual Best of ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: March 07, 2025

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

Jon Looman joins LAFCU as vice president of facilities

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has welcomed Jon Looman as vice president of facilities, bringing decades of leadership experience and a deep understanding of the credit ...
Other

LAFCU wins national award for Shields Up! Phase Two in SIAA competition

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU has won a national award in the 22nd Annual Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA) competition for the second phase of its ...
Other

New Book Helps Credit Unions Drive Purpose-Driven Growth

Washington, DC – Callahan & Associates is proud to announce the release of “Callahan’s Strategic Growth Framework”, a groundbreaking new book that provides credit union ...
Operations & HR

LGE Community Credit Union recognized with 2024 Gold Level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation

Cigna Healthcare has selected LGE Community Credit Union as a recipient of their 2024 Gold Level Healthy Workforce Designation for ...
Making A Difference

SchoolsFirst FCU Enhances Partnership with Los Rios Community College District

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and the largest serving school employees and their families, today ...
Personnel Promotions

United Federal Credit Union Names Josh Munoz Mortgage Advisor in Fort Smith

United Federal Credit Union (United) has appointed Josh Munoz to the position of Mortgage Advisor at its branch at 5800 ...
New Product Releases

GTE Financial Celebrates 90th Anniversary with Exclusive Offers and Exciting Events for Tampa Bay Lightning Fans

In honor of GTE Financial’s 90th anniversary and continued commitment to the community, the credit union is excited to unveil ...
New Product Releases

Intelligent Banking Solutions Launches SAFIRE-IQ

Intelligent Banking Solutions, a leading provider of collections and risk management software, has launched SAFIRE-IQ (Streamlined Automation for Financial Institutions’ ...

SECU Foundation Strengthens Support for Students, Communities with $1.95 Million Commitment to Public Fellows Internship Program

Building on a decade of impact, SECU Foundation has renewed its Public Fellows Internship Program for 2026 and increased funding for participating students, continuing its ...

Maine Credit Unions Raise Nearly $1.5 Million to Address Food Insecurity

Credit union representatives from across Maine came together to announce the latest fundraising results of their collaborative Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. During ...

Cumberland County FCU President & CEO Announces Retirement After 36 Years of Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cumberland County FCU President & CEO Announces Retirement After 36 Years of Service Cumberland County FCU has announced the retirement of its ...

NASCUS Partners with the Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association to Launch New Introduction to Credit Union Examination Training

The National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS), in collaboration with the Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association, is pleased to announce the launch ...

ALM First Caps 30th Anniversary Celebration with Impact Report

Dallas, TX – ALM First, a strategic partner to over 450 depositories nationwide, closed out its year-long 30th anniversary celebration with the release of its Impact Report ...

CU Strategic Planning Applauds Intact CDFI Fund Budget Following Brief Government Shutdown

CU Strategic Planning, a leading provider for mission-focused credit unions, expressed gratitude to Congress for maintaining the $334 million appropriation for the Community Development Financial ...
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