SPIRE Credit Union received two Desjardins Awards, adult and youth, recognizing outstanding financial education efforts among Minnesota credit unions with assets of $1 billion or greater. The awards are sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and Credit Union National Association (CUNA). SPIRE has received the Adult Desjardins award for seven consecutive years, and the Youth Desjardins five years in a row.
The Adult Desjardins award recognizes SPIRE’s “Money Makeover” series, a partnership with KSTP’s Twin Cities Live (TCL). SPIRE and TCL produced a series of seven 5-7 minute segments in 2020, and five segments so far in 2021. Dan Stoltz, SPIRE’s President/CEO, appears on each broadcast, addressing topics related to gaining control of personal finances.
SPIRE’s “Saving Cash” children’s book garnered the Youth Desjardins award. Launched in 2020, it teaches the importance of establishing and working toward financial goals, the benefits of saving money in an insured financial institution, and more. Cash, a playful rescue dog from the Midwest, is SPIRE’s Puppy Pal children’s savings accounts mascot. The book has been given to more than 1,500 children and their families who have opened new Puppy Pal accounts. Books were also given out to an estimated 6,500 families at a summer 2021 Saint Paul Saints baseball game, through elementary schools, and at community events.
"As an institution, our mission is to improve lives,” said Dan Stoltz, President and CEO of SPIRE Credit Union, “Our hope is the work we do today will last well into the future and help generations to come realize financial freedom.”
Minnesota Credit Union Network
L-R: Mark Cummins, President/CEO, MnCUN; Bridget Petersen, MVP Community Outreach, SPIRE Credit Union; and Mary Hansen, Board Chair, MnCUN, and President/CEO, Mayo Employees Credit Union.