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Michigan Credit Unions shine with national award recognitions

Four credit unions and one chapter represent Michigan in national CUNA Awards

LANSING, MI (November 19, 2020) — CUNA has announced the national winners of its 2020 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award, the Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Awards, and the Desjardins Awards for Financial Education. Among the winners are four Michigan credit unions and one chapter.

“MCUL congratulates Michigan’s national winners of the 2020 CUNA Awards. I’m very proud of the chapter and four credit unions awarded,” said MCUL CEO Dave Adams. “These winners are representative of the many great works our movement here in Michigan did this year to expand financial education, bolster communities and serve our 5.6 million members.”

Mid-Michigan Chapter of Credit Unions: First Place Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award
The Mid-Michigan Chapter of Credit Unions, together with the Michigan Credit Union League and Foundation, raised $163,760 to benefit credit union members impacted by catastrophic area flooding. Funds raised were distributed to credit union members in the form of $500 grants, via an online application process. The Chapter Flood Relief Task Force was formed to plan and implement a program to help as many impacted members from its 21 chapter credit unions as possible during this terrible time. Ultimately, the chapter developed the Mid-Michigan Chapter of Credit Unions Flood Relief Grant Program, which helped 325 families impacted by the disaster.

North Central Area Credit Union: Second Place Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award
North Central Area Credit Union (NCACU) hosted Superhero September to raise funds for two local Child Assessment Centers (CAC) that serve its area. In branch, the credit union celebrates through the whole month of September, asking members to donate to the cause during each visit. This year’s program expanded to host the Super Main Event. At the event, children could meet their favorite superheroes, participate in a fitness walk, face painting and crafts. The event also hosted a health and safety fair with local first responders, including Michigan State Police, Roscommon County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit, local ambulance and fire departments. Between the Super Main Event and the Superhero September donation drive, NCACU raised $12,500 for one of the neediest populations in its community — children who have been emotionally, physically or sexually assaulted. They also collected several hundred dollars’ worth of Superhero themed clothing, toys and school supplies that were also donated to the centers.

One Detroit Credit Union: First Place Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award
One Detroit Credit Union’s First-Time Auto Buyer Program helps improve mobility, and subsequently employment, in Detroit. The program was designed for members who have not had a vehicle loan before, those who are purchasing their first vehicle and members with no credit/poor credit. As part of this program, One Detroit partnered with United Way through the Center for Working Families life coach program. The Center for Working Families works with families that are low- to moderate-income with a focus on employment, financial capabilities, and income services. Within the program’s first 100 days, they funded $370,657.00 in auto loans for first-time buyers.

MSU Federal Credit Union: First Place Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award
In response to the economic impact of the novel coronavirus, MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) launched a new share account, Savings Builder, to help members better prepare for future emergencies and build their emergency funds faster. This blended-rate, dividend-bearing share account is tiered to encourage members to save at least $1,000 for emergency expenses. MSUFCU began implementing Savings Builder when the federal government passed the economic relief package on March 27 to help members earn more when depositing their stimulus checks at the credit union. 

CP Financial Credit Union: First Place Desjardins Award for Financial Education
In the 2019-2020 school year, CP Federal Credit Union began enrolling its first class of kindergarten students in a new children’s savings account program, Jackson $aves. They enrolled 548 students in its inaugural year. Jackson $aves is a program designed to assist with education and training expenses after high school. Incoming kindergarteners are eligible to opt-in to the free program as part of their school’s kindergarten enrollment process. All kindergarteners who opt into the program will receive a $50.00 opening deposit, based on availability of funds, into their Jackson $aves account. Students can save for their future at any CP Federal branch location and at any student branch location. In addition, students can earn incentives to help grow their account. CP Federal Credit Union’s Jackson $aves program has built-in partnerships with the Jackson Community Foundation, the Jackson County Intermediate School District and the school districts that they serve.

A full listing of the Michigan credit unions and chapters that won state-level CUNA Awards here.


About Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates

Organized in 1934, the Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates [mcul.org] (MCUL) is a trade association representing Michigan’s credit unions. Based in Lansing, Michigan, MCUL works to strengthen the credit union community and its image by providing advocacy on important issues, coordinating cooperative initiatives and by providing high-quality solutions that help credit unions succeed and enrich the lives of their members.

Contacts

Shawn Glinis
734.793.3449 | Shawn.Glinis@mcul.org

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