CUs in the News: October 2024

Whether it's giving back, awarding scholarships, creating community, providing innovative solutions, or fostering financial literacy (and so much more), here's how Wisconsin's credit unions supported their members and communities in October.

Giving Back

Royal Credit Union Contributes $15,000 to Local Food Shelves in Support of Hunger Action Month
Royal Credit Union (Royal) is proud to announce donations totaling $15,000 to local food assistance programs to support efforts in combating food insecurity in our communities in recognition of Hunger Action Month this September. This contribution aims to provide critical assistance to those in need and highlight the ongoing challenges of hunger that affect many individuals and families. (Royal Credit Union, 10/1)

WESTconsin Credit Union gives back on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
On Monday, the Wisconsin Credit Union League hosted an event to help state credit unions showcase how they better their communities.This event included making cards for Operation Gratitude for Veterans, blankets for the Dunn County and Eau Claire County Humane Societies, and both cards and birthday boxes for patients in local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 10/15)

Rossview Middle School teacher awarded Cash for Classrooms award
 Altra Federal Credit Union recognized teachers in the community for the incredible work they do in and out of the classroom through their Cash for Classrooms contest. This week, Altra employees had the pleasure of surprising the winning teachers with their awards, in front of their students and administrators. Each of the winners received $250 to enhance their classroom resources. (Altra Federal Credit Union, 10/11)

FCCU presents member business with $30,000 grant
Fort Community Credit Union awarded Muse Studio LLC a $30,000 grant through a partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Chicago.The Community First Accelerate Grant is designed to support small businesses in their development and growth initiatives, reinforcing the commitment to fostering economic vitality within our community. The FHLB’s Community First Accelerate Grant provides funding for projects that will make a significant impact on the local economy, job creation, and overall community development. (Fort Community Credit Union, 10/9)

SCCU Celebrates Partnership With UW-Superior
 A brand-new stadium at UW-Superior is being celebrated with an award ceremony. A collaboration with Superior Choice Credit Union made this possible. The stadium is just the beginning when it comes to this partnership. The SCCU is being presented with the Universities of Wisconsin Regents Business Partnership Award. They’re aiming to enhance financial literacy and create internships for students. In addition, ATMs are being placed around campus. (Superior Choice Credit Union, 10/17)

WESTconsin gives back on CU Community Day
WESTconsin Credit Union spread joy and supported their local communities on Indigenous Peoples’ Day as part of the Wisconsin Credit Union League’s CU Community Day. Nearly 200 WESTconsin employees came together on Monday to create cards for Operation Gratitude for Veterans, blankets for the Dunn County and Eau Claire County Humane Societies, as well as cards and birthday boxes for young patients of local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 10/23)

Last-minute donations to food pantry fundraiser will have twice the impact, thanks to matching funds
Last year, a group of us from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and sister newsrooms in Green Bay and Appleton did a series of volunteer shifts with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. The teams, which included staff members from across the operation, not just the newsroom, spent the morning or afternoon gathering and sorting food donations, packaging them into boxes that were destined for food pantries and individuals. (Greater Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions, 10/29)

 Creating Community

Zooloween Boo at the zoo, trunk-or-treat and more: Try these 5 nontraditional ways to trick-or-treat in the Fox Valley
Child Care Resource and Referral's Trick-or-Treat Trail
Halloween fun starts early this year with CCR&R’s free indoor trick-or-treat trail. The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, features games, Culver’s custard, a photo opp, and, of course, lots of candy. Kids follow the “trail” from office to office, with each door sporting a different theme. CCR&R will also have bags on hand to collect candy with, but kids are welcome to bring their own. The event is sponsored by Fox Communities Credit Union. (Fox Communities Credit Union,10/11)

Supporting Financial Literacy

Royal opens new student-run credit union at North High School
-On Wednesday, October 2, Royal Credit Union (Royal) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their newly constructed office inside of North High School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Royal has operated a student-run credit union at the school since 2005. The recent remodeling of the school provided an opportunity for Royal to create a brand-new space to engage with students. This new office was made possible by funding from the 2022 Eau Claire Area School District capital referendum and an investment from Royal. During the ceremony, Royal also made a $1,000 donation to the Eau Clare Public Schools Foundation. (Royal Credit Union, 10/4)

Summit Credit Union addresses gender pay gap through ‘Equity in Money’ initiative
At Summit Credit Union in Cottage Grove, the “Equity in Money” initiative works to increase financial security for everyone. “People aren’t born with the knowledge of financial education and managing money and so we’re here to help with that,” Summit Credit Union CEO and President Kim Sponem said. Women are at the forefront of this initiative. Summit started focusing on the unique financial needs of women back in 2007. (Summit Credit Union, 10/29)

Reality Check: Participate in a financial literacy simulation TODAY
Students are invited to participate in Reality Check, an award-winning financial literacy event offered by Educators Credit Union. Reality Check is an interactive simulation of what life is like once students leave the classroom and are free to experience the real world. Students will go through life’s most important stages and experience financial gains or losses using the Bite of Reality mobile app. (Educators Credit Union, 10/14)

Royal Credit Union let’s student “Test Drive Reality”
Students across the Chippewa Valley were learning what it’s like to get by on their own. Royal Credit Union hosted its annual “Test Drive Reality Fair.” More than 400 students from across the region selected a career, ‘earned’ a salary, and created a livable monthly budget. Royal Credit Union Financial Education Manager, Kristen Norgaard, says it is often an eye-opening experience for students, “This is a fun way for students to get this experience. (Royal Credit Union, 10/30)

Investing In Communities

New UW Credit Union branch opens Oct. 14 on Cottage Grove Road
UW Credit Union (UWCU) will open its 35th branch next week on Cottage Grove Road. The full-service branch is located at the corner of Cottage Grove Rd. and Monona Dr. on the first floor of the new Fitzgerald Apartment Complex. (UW Credit Union, 10/9)

Fostering Excellence

Royal Credit Union Celebrates 60 Years of Success With Members
Today, Amy Burma and Jack Livingston joined us from Royal Credit Union, a not-for-profit credit union serving more than 300,000 people and businesses across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is celebrating 60 years of providing trusted financial advice to its Members. (Royal Credit Union, 10/7)

Wisconsin’s 36 Most Influential Latino Leaders for 2024
This week we shine a statewide spotlight on the dedicated leaders of Wisconsin’s Latino communities. These are richly diverse communities with roots that represent a massive geographic area. The people we highlight this week are elected leaders, business leaders and community leaders, doing difficult, important work. (Fox Communities Credit Union, UW Credit Union, 10/11)

Royal Credit Union celebrates award-winning campaigns
 Hosted by the Marketing Association of Credit Union (MAC), this conference recognized marketing projects and campaigns across the nation. This year, it was held in Hollywood, CA. There were 447 entries from over 100 different credit unions. The awards were chosen based on creativity, strategic effectiveness, and impact. (Royal Credit Union, 10/16)

Corporate Central’s Michael Baumann earns prestigious CCUIP designation
Corporate Central is proud to announce that Michael Baumann, MBA, CCUIP, Investment Analyst, recently completed the Investment Certification School through America’s Credit Unions in Chicago and earned the Certified Credit Union Investments Professional (CCUIP) designation. This achievement reflects Baumann’s dedication to advancing his expertise in investment strategies that benefit Corporate Central’s member credit unions. (Corporate Central Credit Union, 10/17)

The latest in inclusion practices at the 365 Leadership Summit
UW Credit Union director of DEI & Community Engagement Rolando DeLeón will moderate a panel titled “Advancing Inclusion: Exploring Cutting-Edge Practices and Policies” on October 28 at the 365 Leadership Summit presented by UW Credit Union. This panel will explore the latest innovative and effective practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion across industries. Panelists will highlight technological advancements, successful policies, and data-driven approaches that have made a significant impact. (UW Credit Union, 10/23)