Numerica Credit Union joined elite company as a 2020 recipient of the Crystal Performance Award, an annual recognition of “industry standard-setting credit unions,” according to Raddon, the financial industry research and analysis arm of Fiserv.
The data-driven award identified 22 top-performing credit unions from over 500 analyzed nationwide. Numerica is the first Washington state credit union since 2014 to receive the Crystal Performance Award.
“This honor affirms our belief that caring for our members, our employees and our communities creates strong financial performance,” CEO Carla Cicero said. “And strong financial performance enables us to enhance lives, fulfill dreams and build communities. It’s a circular result.”
Raddon singled out Numerica's focus on people during the virtual awards ceremony.
“(Numerica) is extremely effective at building relationships within its membership,” said Bill Handel, Raddon’s general manager and chief economist.
The Crystal Performance Award was one of many honors Numerica earned in 2020:
- Awarded one of three 2020 Best Places to Work Inland Northwest in the large employer category
- Honored by the Northwest Credit Union Association for “Outstanding Employee Engagement” and “Exceptional Small Business Support”
- Named Outstanding Community Lender for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Seattle District, which covers Washington state and North Idaho
Numerica’s commitment to community was also on display in 2020. At the outset of the pandemic, the credit union distributed $225,000 to 14 nonprofits. In December, Numerica donated $100,000 to four homeless service organizations. The result: More than 30 people transitioned into stable housing. Internally, Numerica staff donated $40,000 to teammates in need through the Employees Helping Employees Fund.
“We’ve worked for years to create a culture where people align with our mission and understand where we’re going and why we’re going there,” Cicero said. “And our team members rise to the occasion time after time after time. I couldn’t be more proud of all of them.”