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 Uncertainty To Joy On Four Wheels

Empower Federal Credit Union

I helped a member about four months ago who came in explaining that she needed a vehicle to get to and from work but had a zero credit score. As a first-time auto borrower, she had no idea what to do or what to look for, so she came to see us. Because she had […]

From Produce Aisle To Business Owner

FirstLight Federal Credit Union

The member was a long-time employee at a local produce market in Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida, where they worked for more than 20 years and built deep industry knowledge along with a long-held dream of owning their own market. When the member decided to pursue that goal, the primary barrier was access to startup capital […]

From Maxed Out To Moving Forward

A 49-year-old single parent was struggling to make ends meet after overtime hours at work were eliminated, significantly reducing household income. As a result, credit cards became maxed out, and only minimum payments could be made. One credit card ultimately charged off because the required payment was no longer affordable. When the member reached out […]

Finding Stability After Setbacks

Connections Credit Union

A non-member came into the branch after being referred by an existing member, looking for help with an unsecured loan to pay off collections and back taxes. They shared that they were struggling to keep up with multiple payments while still covering basic living expenses. The financial strain began after an unexpected major surgery that […]

Family First After The Fires

Financial Partners Credit Union

Our long-time member, who has been with Financial Partners Credit Union since 1998, was recently devastated by the Pacific Palisades fires. Tragically, he lost everything, including his home. As the head of the household and sole income provider, the responsibility of supporting his family during such an unimaginable time added immense financial stress. The member […]

A Financial Checkup Changed Everything

Service 1st Federal Credit Union

When Maria walked in for her Financial Checkup, the first thing I noticed wasn’t her paperwork — it was the exhaustion on her face. A single mother of three, she was working two jobs and surviving on just a few hours of sleep. Every minute and every dollar already had a purpose. Missing work wasn’t […]

New Product Releases

TAPP Engine’s 9Squid Private Markets: First to Democratize Securitization for All Credit Unions*

TAPP Engine has launched 9Squid Private Markets*, an AI-powered securitization platform built to help credit unions of all sizes access ...
Other

Education Foundation for California Schools Awards $280,000 in Grants to California Educators

The Education Foundation for California Schools, a nonprofit created by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department of ...
Personnel Promotions

OCCU PRESIDENT & CEO NEUMANN RETIRING; SCHUMACHER TO TAKE REINS

OCCU President & CEO Ron Neumann has announced his retirement and the OCCU Board of Directors has unanimously selected current ...
Strategic Partnerships

First Independent Bank Selects Square 1 Credit Suite by Suntell

Suntell, a leading provider of loan origination software for commercial and agricultural lending, announced that First Independent Bank has selected ...
Making A Difference

PARK COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $97,960 IN GRANTS THROUGH PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY PROGRAM

Louisville, KY- Park Community Credit Union Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Pathways to Prosperity grants. ...
Making A Difference

Call for Entries: LAFCU’s 2026 Write to Educate Essay Contest

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is once again turning student voices into opportunity, inviting Michigan high school seniors to share their ...
Making A Difference

LAFCU and Grassroots Giving Lansing to host entrepreneurship mixer focused on lending essentials

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU and Grassroots Giving Lansing will host the second session of their Entrepreneurship Mixer Series, The Lending Essentials, ...
Other

CUES and TruStage® Launch Leadership Pathways to Expand Access to Executive-Ready Talent Across the Credit Union System

CUES and TruStage® today announced Leadership Pathways, a yearlong, integrated leadership development experience designed to expand access to advanced leadership ...
New Product Releases

Coastal Credit Union Expands Mortgage Options with VA Loan Programs

Coastal Credit Union has announced the rollout of new mortgage programs designed to expand access to homeownership for more North ...
Lending

Appli Calculator Deployment Drives 23% Conversion Rate for First Source Federal Credit Union

Appli, a provider of AI-powered financial calculators for credit unions and community banks, today released year-one results from First Source ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: January 30, 2026

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

ALM First Welcomes Jennifer Walker as Director, Sales & Client Relations

Dallas, Texas – ALM First, a strategic partner to more than 300 financial institutions nationwide, continues to expand its Sales & ...
Other

Vizo Financial’s February 2026 Education Calendar

At Vizo Financial we are committed to providing quality education to credit unions and their staff, which is why we ...
Other

Coastal Credit Union Surpasses $6 Billion in Assets

Coastal Credit Union announced that it has reached $6 billion in assets. Through the end of December, Coastal’s assets are ...
Making A Difference

13 families celebrate the new year in new homes thanks to RCU Community Fund’s Down Payment Assistance program

For one Novato family of four, the start of a new year marks a milestone they once thought impossible—celebrating in ...
Other

Vizo Financial Recaps Successful Year of Credit Union Education in 2025

In 2025, Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union initiated its Education Rewards Program, which allows attendees to earn points on an ...
Other

Newsweek Names SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union One of America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions in 2026

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union has earned a spot on Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions 2026 list for ...
Making A Difference

Elan Charitable Giving Celebrates 5 Years with $250,000 in Donations

MINNEAPOLIS — Elan Credit Card today announced the expansion of its charitable giving program, delivering $250,000 in donations to 25 ...
Personnel Promotions

One Nevada Announces Promotions for Five Leaders

LAS VEGAS, NV. – One Nevada Credit Union, one of the strongest credit unions in the country, recently announced five ...
Strategic Partnerships

eDOC REPORTS ADOPTION GROWTH ACROSS DOCUMENT IMAGING AND eDOCSignature PLATFORMS

eDOC CUSO network and partnerships bring growth across document imaging and eDOCSignature solution adoption.
Technology

Arkatechture Announces Launch of AI Data Analyst Tool: ArkaIQ

Arkatechture’s new product, ArkaIQ, empowers teams to interact directly with trusted data with no reports or data requests required.
Making A Difference

Indiana Members Credit Union Recognized at Best Regional Credit Union by Newsweek and Indianapolis Community Choice Awards

Indiana Members Credit Union has earned two major honors for the third consecutive year. Newsweek named IMCU one of America’s ...
Making A Difference

SchoolsFirst FCU Raised More Than $3.3M for Children’s Miracle Network

I wanted to share some exciting news from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: in 2025, the Credit Union contributed more than ...
Personnel Promotions

Will Valadez Earns SPHR Credential, Advancing Strategic HR Leadership at Corporate Central

Corporate Central is proud to recognize Will Valadez for earning the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, a prestigious ...
Marketing

Registration Now Open for ALM First’s 2026 Derivatives Symposium

Dallas, TX – Registration is now open for ALM First’s 2026 Derivatives Symposium—a premier in-person mini-conference designed for treasury and ...
New Product Releases

Corporate One Successfully Closes Inaugural Multi-Seller Prime Auto Securitization

Corporate One Federal Credit Union today announced the successful closing of its inaugural multi-seller prime auto loan securitization. This $335 ...
Other

Newsweek names Redwood Credit Union one of America’s Best Credit Unions for third year in a row

Newsweek has named Redwood Credit Union one of America’s Best Credit Unions, recognizing its member satisfaction, financial strength, and community ...
Other

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Lowers Down Payment Requirements to Expand Mortgage Access for School Employees

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest Credit Union in California, is helping make home ownership a reality for school employees. ...
New Product Releases

Corporate Central Supercharges Business Onboarding with Next Generation Verification, powered by Middesk, in Beastro

Corporate Central and Middesk are turning business onboarding into a competitive advantage for credit unions. The organizations recently announced a ...
New Product Releases

CUNA Strategic Services Expands Sparrow Alliance to Help Credit Unions Deepen Member Relationships Beyond the Branch

MADISON, WI – January 22, 2026 – CUNA Strategic Services (CSS) is pleased to announce the expansion of its alliance ...
New Product Releases

TAPP Engine’s 9Squid Private Markets: First to Democratize Securitization for All Credit Unions*

TAPP Engine has launched 9Squid Private Markets*, an AI-powered securitization platform built to help credit unions of all sizes access ...
Other

Education Foundation for California Schools Awards $280,000 in Grants to California Educators

The Education Foundation for California Schools, a nonprofit created by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and the Orange County Department of ...
Personnel Promotions

OCCU PRESIDENT & CEO NEUMANN RETIRING; SCHUMACHER TO TAKE REINS

OCCU President & CEO Ron Neumann has announced his retirement and the OCCU Board of Directors has unanimously selected current ...
Strategic Partnerships

First Independent Bank Selects Square 1 Credit Suite by Suntell

Suntell, a leading provider of loan origination software for commercial and agricultural lending, announced that First Independent Bank has selected ...
Making A Difference

PARK COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $97,960 IN GRANTS THROUGH PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY PROGRAM

Louisville, KY- Park Community Credit Union Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Pathways to Prosperity grants. ...
Making A Difference

Call for Entries: LAFCU’s 2026 Write to Educate Essay Contest

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU is once again turning student voices into opportunity, inviting Michigan high school seniors to share their ...
Making A Difference

LAFCU and Grassroots Giving Lansing to host entrepreneurship mixer focused on lending essentials

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU and Grassroots Giving Lansing will host the second session of their Entrepreneurship Mixer Series, The Lending Essentials, ...
Other

CUES and TruStage® Launch Leadership Pathways to Expand Access to Executive-Ready Talent Across the Credit Union System

CUES and TruStage® today announced Leadership Pathways, a yearlong, integrated leadership development experience designed to expand access to advanced leadership ...
New Product Releases

Coastal Credit Union Expands Mortgage Options with VA Loan Programs

Coastal Credit Union has announced the rollout of new mortgage programs designed to expand access to homeownership for more North ...
Lending

Appli Calculator Deployment Drives 23% Conversion Rate for First Source Federal Credit Union

Appli, a provider of AI-powered financial calculators for credit unions and community banks, today released year-one results from First Source ...
Industry Analysis & Trends

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: January 30, 2026

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

ALM First Welcomes Jennifer Walker as Director, Sales & Client Relations

Dallas, Texas – ALM First, a strategic partner to more than 300 financial institutions nationwide, continues to expand its Sales & ...
Other

Vizo Financial’s February 2026 Education Calendar

At Vizo Financial we are committed to providing quality education to credit unions and their staff, which is why we ...
Other

Coastal Credit Union Surpasses $6 Billion in Assets

Coastal Credit Union announced that it has reached $6 billion in assets. Through the end of December, Coastal’s assets are ...
Making A Difference

13 families celebrate the new year in new homes thanks to RCU Community Fund’s Down Payment Assistance program

For one Novato family of four, the start of a new year marks a milestone they once thought impossible—celebrating in ...
Other

Vizo Financial Recaps Successful Year of Credit Union Education in 2025

In 2025, Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union initiated its Education Rewards Program, which allows attendees to earn points on an ...
Other

Newsweek Names SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union One of America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions in 2026

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union has earned a spot on Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions 2026 list for ...
Making A Difference

Elan Charitable Giving Celebrates 5 Years with $250,000 in Donations

MINNEAPOLIS — Elan Credit Card today announced the expansion of its charitable giving program, delivering $250,000 in donations to 25 ...
Personnel Promotions

One Nevada Announces Promotions for Five Leaders

LAS VEGAS, NV. – One Nevada Credit Union, one of the strongest credit unions in the country, recently announced five ...
Strategic Partnerships

eDOC REPORTS ADOPTION GROWTH ACROSS DOCUMENT IMAGING AND eDOCSignature PLATFORMS

eDOC CUSO network and partnerships bring growth across document imaging and eDOCSignature solution adoption.
Technology

Arkatechture Announces Launch of AI Data Analyst Tool: ArkaIQ

Arkatechture’s new product, ArkaIQ, empowers teams to interact directly with trusted data with no reports or data requests required.
Making A Difference

Indiana Members Credit Union Recognized at Best Regional Credit Union by Newsweek and Indianapolis Community Choice Awards

Indiana Members Credit Union has earned two major honors for the third consecutive year. Newsweek named IMCU one of America’s ...
Making A Difference

SchoolsFirst FCU Raised More Than $3.3M for Children’s Miracle Network

I wanted to share some exciting news from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: in 2025, the Credit Union contributed more than ...
Personnel Promotions

Will Valadez Earns SPHR Credential, Advancing Strategic HR Leadership at Corporate Central

Corporate Central is proud to recognize Will Valadez for earning the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, a prestigious ...
Marketing

Registration Now Open for ALM First’s 2026 Derivatives Symposium

Dallas, TX – Registration is now open for ALM First’s 2026 Derivatives Symposium—a premier in-person mini-conference designed for treasury and ...
New Product Releases

Corporate One Successfully Closes Inaugural Multi-Seller Prime Auto Securitization

Corporate One Federal Credit Union today announced the successful closing of its inaugural multi-seller prime auto loan securitization. This $335 ...
Other

Newsweek names Redwood Credit Union one of America’s Best Credit Unions for third year in a row

Newsweek has named Redwood Credit Union one of America’s Best Credit Unions, recognizing its member satisfaction, financial strength, and community ...
Other

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Lowers Down Payment Requirements to Expand Mortgage Access for School Employees

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest Credit Union in California, is helping make home ownership a reality for school employees. ...
New Product Releases

Corporate Central Supercharges Business Onboarding with Next Generation Verification, powered by Middesk, in Beastro

Corporate Central and Middesk are turning business onboarding into a competitive advantage for credit unions. The organizations recently announced a ...
New Product Releases

CUNA Strategic Services Expands Sparrow Alliance to Help Credit Unions Deepen Member Relationships Beyond the Branch

MADISON, WI – January 22, 2026 – CUNA Strategic Services (CSS) is pleased to announce the expansion of its alliance ...

Baker Market Update – Week in Review: April 17, 2026

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

EECU Sponsors Regional School Safety Symposium

FRESNO, Calif. (April 17, 2026) – Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) proudly partnered with the Tulare County Office of Education to sponsor the School Safety ...

ALM First Launches Inaugural Loan Fund for Credit Unions

Dallas, Texas – ALM First, a strategic partner for more than 350 financial institutions nationwide, has successfully launched a first of its kind loan fund ...

Victory Bank Selects AccuAccount to Streamline Loan Imaging, Exception Tracking, and Audit Readiness

Victory Bank has selected Alogent’s AccuAccount to modernize its commercial lending workflows, including imaging, tracking, and audit processes, as part of a broader three-year technology ...

LAFCU promotes Jamie Jones to contact center branch manager

LANSING, Mich. — Jamie Jones serves as branch manager of LAFCU’s contact center, following her advancement from assistant branch manager.

For Immediate Release – Boston Firefighters Credit Union Appoints Elizabeth Adcock as Chief Digital & Information Officer

Boston, MA, April 16, 2026. Boston Firefighters Credit Union (BFCU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Adcock as Chief Digital & Information Officer. ...
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