Press

Leusink retires as 4Front Credit Union CEO

Previous president Kempf named to lead financial solutions provider

TRAVERSE CITY, MI (January 7, 2020) — 4Front Credit Union’s chief executive officer, David Leusink, retired at the end of this past year. A longtime industry advocate and thought leader, Leusink dedicated more than 30 years to the credit union industry and the members-owners it serves. Leusink began his career with a national finance company but quickly found his niche in an industry that values people over profits. Leusink began his credit union career at Kent County Credit Union (Grand Rapids), initially leading the institution’s lending efforts and later serving as its president. He departed to serve as CEO of the then Charlevoix Federal Credit Union. CFCU enjoyed sustained success under Leusink, resulting in the expansion of its field of membership to include the entire northwest corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and a name change to Bay Winds Federal Credit Union in 1999 to more accurately reflect its diverse and growing membership base.

In 2014, Leusink helped guide one of the largest successful Michigan credit union mergers in recent memory when the membership of BWFCU voted overwhelmingly to merge with Traverse City-based Members Credit Union.

Andy Kempf steps into the role of 4Front’s CEO after five years as its president. He served previously as CEO of the former Members Credit Union, gifting 4Front’s early years with not one, but two experienced leaders. Like Leusink, Kempf found his way to the credit union industry via traditional banking, beginning his career in commercial lending with a mid-regional bank. He served as CEO of Grand Rapids-based Preferred Credit Union prior to leading Members CU and now, 4Front.

Under Leusink’s and Kempf’s leadership, highlights of 4Front’s first five years include:

• Consistent managed success, with 35 percent asset growth and a membership of more than 83,000 members.
• Member-centric products and services, including 4Front’s market-leading Straight4ward Rewards Checking which returned more than $600,000 to 4Front members in 2019 alone and a feature-rich virtual banking experience offering online account opening/funding and online borrowing processes.
• Market pace-setting, including consistently ranking in the top 10 of traditional used cars lenders within its 40-county market.
• Community and industry recognition, including awards for employment (2018 Best & Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation), member-facing processes (Member XP’s 2018 Best Loan Experience) and people’s choice (Traverse Magazine’s Red Hot Best Financial Institution 2015-19).
• Expansion and accessibility in the form of two new branch locations (Traverse City and Cadillac), a new build (Mancelona) and the anticipated completed installation of VideoTellers at all 12 of 4Front’s vehicle accessible locations by mid-2020.

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About 4Front Credit Union

Celebrating over 70 years in Michigan, 4Front Credit Union serves over 100,000 members, with assets of over $1.2 billion and 20 locations. As a not-for-profit cooperative, 4Front prides itself on making banking smart and simple for its members, wherever they are on their financial journey. Membership eligibility is open to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Michigan. Visit www.4frontcu.com

Contacts

Media Contact:
Meghan Morelli
231.932.5252 | mmorelli@4frontcu.com