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

From 540 To 710: A Credit Repair Success Story

When I walked into Patelco Credit Union three years ago, my credit score was 540 and I had 11 accounts in collections. I had no financial literacy. I didn’t know what ‘credit’ meant, nor did I know how to effectively repair my credit to attain my financial goals. At that time, my knowledge base as […]

Small Adjustments Make A Big Impact

At Patelco, our mission is to help members thrive through life’s financial challenges, and one member’s story highlights the power of personalized service. She had been consistently incurring a $13.23 monthly late fee due to a misaligned due date. By adjusting her payment schedule to match her income cycle, we eliminated those fees. The member […]

A Business Owner Puts Her Best Face Forward

Lake Trust Credit Union

Jessie Hayes is passionate about helping people feel and look their best. After building her business, Skinphorea Facial Bar & Acne Clinic, from the ground up, she was ready to expand. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Jessie urgently needed additional funds to fulfill inventory and brave the challenges of owning a small business during […]

A New Path To Homeownership

A member came to me frustrated after 20 years in the United States without visible credit. He dreamed of owning a home but didn’t know where to start. We sat down together and talked through his options. I suggested he begin with a secured credit card and explained how to use it to build credit. […]

A Fresh Start For A College Dream

A young member walked into our branch feeling defeated. He’d just graduated high school and registered for college but missed the FAFSA deadline and needed $3,500 to cover his classes. With little employment or credit history, he wanted to try for a loan on his own before asking his parents. I listened to his story […]

Turning A Crash Into Confidence

Lake Trust Credit Union

Early one morning, 18-year-old Kadence was taking a familiar drive on her way to her job at a local animal shelter. Suddenly, three deer jumped out onto the road. Kadence swerved to avoid the first two but unfortunately hit the third. After pulling off the road and calling for help, she realized her car was […]

Operations & HR

ACUMA Welcomes New Board Member; Slate of Officers Approved

The American Credit Union Mortgage Association (ACUMA) has added Brandon Webb, Senior VP of Mortgage Lending at Arkansas Federal Credit ...
Operations & HR

Advia Credit Union Grows Stronger in Illinois with Completed Purchase of NorthSide Community Bank

Advia Credit Union is pleased to announce that its merger with NorthSide Community Bank, headquartered in Gurnee, Illinois, is now ...
Marketing

GTE Financial Triumphs with Bronze Marketing Association of Credit Unions Award for Culture/Internal Branding for Compliance Week

GTE Financial, a leading credit union in Tampa Bay, was honored this month with the prestigious Bronze Marketing Association of ...
Making A Difference

Maine Credit Unions Launch Challenge to Fight Hunger

As part of their longstanding efforts, Maine credit unions are proud to announce the launch of their fifth annual $100,000 ...
Operations & HR

Corporate Central Welcomes Raghu Gandhe as Data and Analytics Architect

Corporate Central is pleased to announce the addition of Raghu Gandhe as Data and Analytics Architect. In this critical role, ...
Strategic Partnerships

myCUmortgage and FedComp Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Credit Union Mortgage Services

Partnership enables FedComp core system users to launch and expand mortgage services through myCUmortgage for their members
Charity Events

Teachers Federal Credit Union Sets Goal to Raise $150,000 for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (October 1, 2024) – Teachers Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the United States with more than $9.8 billion ...
Making A Difference

Valley First Credit Union Earns Prestigious Juntos Avanzamos Designation

MODESTO, Calif. (Oct 1, 2024) – Valley First Credit Union is proud to announce that it has obtained the distinguished Juntos Avanzamos designation. This designation ...

81 CDFI CU Grants Push CU Strategic Planning Clients’ Total to Over $1 Billion

When the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund announced its combined FY 2023 and 2024 Financial Assistance (FA) Awards and ...
Strategic Partnerships

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Partners With Arkatechture to Improve Member Experience Through Data

With Arkatechture’s help, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union is maximizing the use of their data in order to improve the member ...
Making A Difference

Day Air Host Member Appreciation Event at Day Air Ballpark

Day Air Credit Union proudly hosted a unique Member Appreciation Event on Sunday, September 22nd, at Day Air Ballpark. More ...
Making A Difference

Habitat for Humanity works with Local Credit Unions to Build Fifth House that Credit Unions Built

Greater Texas Credit Union is one of four CUs that has been collaborating with the Austin Habitat for Humanity to ...
Other

Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions Receives NASCUS Reaccreditation

The National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) proudly announces that the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial ...
Marketing

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Named ‘Best Credit Union’ in the Inland Empire

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union serving school employees and their families, has been named the “Best Credit ...
Investments

Envisant and Curql Fund II Gain Momentum with $2 Million Secured in Early Commitments

I’m pleased to share a press release announcing the growing momentum behind Envisant’s collaboration with Curql Fund II. This initiative ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Eltropy Showcases AI-Powered Solutions at Over 20 Industry Events to Close Out 2024

Eltropy, the leading AI-powered conversations platform for community financial institutions (CFIs), today announced its participation in more than 20 industry ...
Making A Difference

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LIFE. MONEY. YOU.® AMONG 2024 CU TIMES LUMINARIES FINALISTS

BCU is proud to announce Bjorn Larson, Executive Director of Life. Money. You.®, LLC (LMY) Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) ...
Other

Orianna Valentine Achieves Prestigious Dual Digital Marketing Certifications

Corporate Central is proud to announce that Orianna Valentine, CCUFC, CDMP, aPCM®, Marketing Strategist, has earned dual certifications in digital ...
Making A Difference

Education Foundation for California Schools Announces Call for Applications for Teacher Grant Awards

The Education Foundation for California Schools, a non-profit organization created by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: September 20, 2024

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

United Federal Credit Union Names Tracy Mast Branch Manager in Buchanan

United Federal Credit Union (United) has named Tracy Mast Branch Manager at its branch at 808 E Front Street in ...
Other

2024 CUES Emerge Competition Judging Panel Announced

CUES and partner Currency Marketing have selected a team of highly-respected credit union leaders to serve as the 2024 CUES ...
Technology

Alogent Recognized as Finalist in Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards for Payment Solutions Innovation

Alogent announce that its Unify platform has been named a finalist for the Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards in the ...
Other

NASCUS Announces 2024-25 Board and Advisory Council Election Results

In August, the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) conducted its annual elections for its Regulator Board and ...
Strategic Partnerships

Coop Manati Chooses Sharetec for Its Modernization & Efficiency

Sharetec, an inventive and advanced leader in credit union technology, recently announced its new partnership with Coop Manati, one of ...
Lending

HealthShare Grants $50,000 in Down Payment Assistance

To support financial stability and homeownership for low-income members, HealthShare Federal Credit Union announced five $10,000 down payment grants, helping ...
Strategic Partnerships

Synergent and Jack Henry Celebrate 20 Years of Partnership

Synergent® and Jack Henry™ recently celebrated the monumental milestone of 20 years of partnership! To commemorate, staff members from both ...
Making A Difference

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Funds Cal Poly Pomona Credentialing Program

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

Centra Credit Union names Lynne Coverdale as new Mortgage Loan Consultant

Hello, Please see the attached press release announcing that Centra Credit Union has added Lynne Coverdale to their team of ...
Strategic Partnerships

Debbie Joins CUNA Strategic Services as New Alliance Provider

CUNA Strategic Services is excited to announce its newest strategic alliance provider, Debbie. Debbie offers a member growth and
Operations & HR

ACUMA Welcomes New Board Member; Slate of Officers Approved

The American Credit Union Mortgage Association (ACUMA) has added Brandon Webb, Senior VP of Mortgage Lending at Arkansas Federal Credit ...
Operations & HR

Advia Credit Union Grows Stronger in Illinois with Completed Purchase of NorthSide Community Bank

Advia Credit Union is pleased to announce that its merger with NorthSide Community Bank, headquartered in Gurnee, Illinois, is now ...
Marketing

GTE Financial Triumphs with Bronze Marketing Association of Credit Unions Award for Culture/Internal Branding for Compliance Week

GTE Financial, a leading credit union in Tampa Bay, was honored this month with the prestigious Bronze Marketing Association of ...
Making A Difference

Maine Credit Unions Launch Challenge to Fight Hunger

As part of their longstanding efforts, Maine credit unions are proud to announce the launch of their fifth annual $100,000 ...
Operations & HR

Corporate Central Welcomes Raghu Gandhe as Data and Analytics Architect

Corporate Central is pleased to announce the addition of Raghu Gandhe as Data and Analytics Architect. In this critical role, ...
Strategic Partnerships

myCUmortgage and FedComp Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Credit Union Mortgage Services

Partnership enables FedComp core system users to launch and expand mortgage services through myCUmortgage for their members
Charity Events

Teachers Federal Credit Union Sets Goal to Raise $150,000 for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (October 1, 2024) – Teachers Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the United States with more than $9.8 billion ...
Making A Difference

Valley First Credit Union Earns Prestigious Juntos Avanzamos Designation

MODESTO, Calif. (Oct 1, 2024) – Valley First Credit Union is proud to announce that it has obtained the distinguished Juntos Avanzamos designation. This designation ...

81 CDFI CU Grants Push CU Strategic Planning Clients’ Total to Over $1 Billion

When the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund announced its combined FY 2023 and 2024 Financial Assistance (FA) Awards and ...
Strategic Partnerships

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Partners With Arkatechture to Improve Member Experience Through Data

With Arkatechture’s help, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union is maximizing the use of their data in order to improve the member ...
Making A Difference

Day Air Host Member Appreciation Event at Day Air Ballpark

Day Air Credit Union proudly hosted a unique Member Appreciation Event on Sunday, September 22nd, at Day Air Ballpark. More ...
Making A Difference

Habitat for Humanity works with Local Credit Unions to Build Fifth House that Credit Unions Built

Greater Texas Credit Union is one of four CUs that has been collaborating with the Austin Habitat for Humanity to ...
Other

Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions Receives NASCUS Reaccreditation

The National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) proudly announces that the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial ...
Marketing

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Named ‘Best Credit Union’ in the Inland Empire

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union serving school employees and their families, has been named the “Best Credit ...
Investments

Envisant and Curql Fund II Gain Momentum with $2 Million Secured in Early Commitments

I’m pleased to share a press release announcing the growing momentum behind Envisant’s collaboration with Curql Fund II. This initiative ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Eltropy Showcases AI-Powered Solutions at Over 20 Industry Events to Close Out 2024

Eltropy, the leading AI-powered conversations platform for community financial institutions (CFIs), today announced its participation in more than 20 industry ...
Making A Difference

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LIFE. MONEY. YOU.® AMONG 2024 CU TIMES LUMINARIES FINALISTS

BCU is proud to announce Bjorn Larson, Executive Director of Life. Money. You.®, LLC (LMY) Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) ...
Other

Orianna Valentine Achieves Prestigious Dual Digital Marketing Certifications

Corporate Central is proud to announce that Orianna Valentine, CCUFC, CDMP, aPCM®, Marketing Strategist, has earned dual certifications in digital ...
Making A Difference

Education Foundation for California Schools Announces Call for Applications for Teacher Grant Awards

The Education Foundation for California Schools, a non-profit organization created by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: September 20, 2024

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

United Federal Credit Union Names Tracy Mast Branch Manager in Buchanan

United Federal Credit Union (United) has named Tracy Mast Branch Manager at its branch at 808 E Front Street in ...
Other

2024 CUES Emerge Competition Judging Panel Announced

CUES and partner Currency Marketing have selected a team of highly-respected credit union leaders to serve as the 2024 CUES ...
Technology

Alogent Recognized as Finalist in Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards for Payment Solutions Innovation

Alogent announce that its Unify platform has been named a finalist for the Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards in the ...
Other

NASCUS Announces 2024-25 Board and Advisory Council Election Results

In August, the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS) conducted its annual elections for its Regulator Board and ...
Strategic Partnerships

Coop Manati Chooses Sharetec for Its Modernization & Efficiency

Sharetec, an inventive and advanced leader in credit union technology, recently announced its new partnership with Coop Manati, one of ...
Lending

HealthShare Grants $50,000 in Down Payment Assistance

To support financial stability and homeownership for low-income members, HealthShare Federal Credit Union announced five $10,000 down payment grants, helping ...
Strategic Partnerships

Synergent and Jack Henry Celebrate 20 Years of Partnership

Synergent® and Jack Henry™ recently celebrated the monumental milestone of 20 years of partnership! To commemorate, staff members from both ...
Making A Difference

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Funds Cal Poly Pomona Credentialing Program

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

Centra Credit Union names Lynne Coverdale as new Mortgage Loan Consultant

Hello, Please see the attached press release announcing that Centra Credit Union has added Lynne Coverdale to their team of ...
Strategic Partnerships

Debbie Joins CUNA Strategic Services as New Alliance Provider

CUNA Strategic Services is excited to announce its newest strategic alliance provider, Debbie. Debbie offers a member growth and

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: January 9, 2026

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

Altamaha Federal Credit Union Enters New Technology Partnership with Synergent

WESTBROOK, ME (January 9, 2026) – Synergent® is excited to announce Altamaha Federal Credit Union has signed new seven-year agreements for hosted Jack Henry™ Symitar® ...

DUGOOD CREDIT UNION SPOTLIGHTS EMPLOYEE PROMOTIONS

Beaumont, Texas – January 7, 2026 – DuGood Credit Union is proud to celebrate its employees who are stepping into new roles through promotions!

The Next Generation of CU Leaders Takes Shape as Applications Open for CUES Emerge 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 CUES Emerge leadership development program. Offered in partnership with Currency Marketing, CUES Emerge was designed to equip rising ...

ALM First Executive Benefits Expands Team, Welcoming Cameron Kasteler and Rebecca Myers-Haeussler

Dallas, Texas – ALM First Executive Benefits, LLC, a subsidiary of ALM First that offers unbiased plan design, expert consulting, plan audits, and seamless administration and plan servicing, ...

Callahan & Associates And Quantum Governance, L3C™ Unite to Advance Credit Union Governance

Callahan & Associates has acquired Quantum Governance, L3C™, a consulting firm specializing in governance and strategy. This partnership combines Callahan’s industry leadership with Quantum Governance’s ...
Scroll to Top