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

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 […]

From Estate Accounts To Everyday Banking

When a woman walked into a Redwood Credit Union branch with questions about estate accounts and how to open one at RCU, I saw an opportunity to turn confusion into clarity and hesitation into trust. She wasn’t yet a member and was unfamiliar with the process. To ensure she felt fully supported, I invited our […]

Driven To Do Better

I was recently working with a member who had just purchased a car through CarMax. After sitting down and asking her a few questions, I had a better understanding of the situation and was able to leverage my skills as a certified financial coach to improve her situation. I identified quite a few issues with […]

Protection From Repeated Attempted Financial Exploitation

On July 2, Ann visited a Patelco Credit Union branch requesting a $10,000 wire transfer to her Meriwest account, claiming it was for medical expenses. Sensing something was off, I contacted her trusted contact, her son Roy, who confirmed that Ann had no such medical bills. Following his guidance, we declined the transaction. Ann was […]

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
Technology

U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union Showcases Innovative AI Use at VMware Explore 2024

The U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU) stood out at VMware Explore 2024, a global conference held at the Venetian ...
Making A Difference

GreenState teams up with local Brewery to make a greener Iowa

Big Grove Brewery and GreenState Credit Union have announced the release of the fourth annual A Greener State of Mind, ...
Charity Events

1st MidAmerica Credit Union Delivers $30,000 in Grant Funds

1st MidAmerica Credit Union delivered $30,000 in grant funds to local small businesses in partnership with the Federal Home Loan ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: September 13, 2024

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

U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union Showcases Innovative AI Use at VMware Explore 2024

The U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU) stood out at VMware Explore 2024, a global conference held at the Venetian ...
Making A Difference

GreenState teams up with local Brewery to make a greener Iowa

Big Grove Brewery and GreenState Credit Union have announced the release of the fourth annual A Greener State of Mind, ...
Charity Events

1st MidAmerica Credit Union Delivers $30,000 in Grant Funds

1st MidAmerica Credit Union delivered $30,000 in grant funds to local small businesses in partnership with the Federal Home Loan ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: September 13, 2024

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

Vizo Financial’s March 2026 Education Calendar

At Vizo Financial we are committed to providing quality education to credit unions and their staff, which is why we provide a wide array of ...

Meriwest Credit Union Wins Top Honor as Best Credit Union in Silicon Valley 2026

We’re excited to share that Meriwest has been voted as the Best Credit Union in Silicon Valley in 2026 by the Mercury News Readers’ Choice ...

Origence Ends 2025 with 17% Growth in Fundings; Expands AI-Driven Lending Technology

Origence, the leading lending technology solutions provider for credit unions, closed 2025 with $62 billion in total fundings, up 17% from 2024, and signed 89 ...

Xpress Data Inc. hires Kirk Drake as new President

Xpress Data Inc. hires Kirk Drake as new President. Drake brings decades of experience in credit unions and technology strategy and has been consulting with ...

Catherine Bryant and Jonah Kaufman of Coastal Wealth Management Recognized as Distinguished Financial Professionals by LPL Financial

Catherine Bryant and Jonah Kaufman, Wealth Advisors at Coastal Wealth Management in Raleigh, have earned a place among LPL Financials’ Ascent Club Program for 2025 ...

Credit Unions Gain Edge with New CashBack+ Credit Card Rewards

New York, NY – February 25, 2025 – Prizeout, the leader in advertising and financial technology, today announced the launch of its Credit Card Rewards ...
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