Skip to main content

Best Of 2024: Supporting Member Financial Wellbeing

A look back at how credit unions championed member financial wellbeing in 2024 with innovative products and services that meet members where they are and help them thrive.

Junk fees, rising living costs, and inflation rates that still lean hot make it difficult to save some scratch for a rainy day, much less afford a home to keep your head dry. Luckily for those living on Main Street, Supporting Member Financial Wellbeing is a core tenet to a credit union’s work.

Of course, “financial wellbeing” can include loan or deposit products, financial education, or something else entirely depending on the life status and financial position of any individual member. Despite that challenge, success stories abound of credit unions serving members where they are and how they need.

  • The economy is improving! At least, that’s what the data says. Unfortunately, many consumers — and Gen Z in particular — simply aren’t feeling it. To combat the “vibecession” funk credit unions are turning to social media and superior experiences.
  • Saving money is important, but stashing away even a modest amount can be an insurmountable feat with standard products and rates. But a new high-yield savings account at Langley FCU is improving nest eggs and financial acumen while boosting liquidity at the cooperative.
  • Junk fees? Not at Community Financial, where a fee-free checking product helps members budget their money and spend within their means.
  • Is retirement a pipe dream? Data from YouGov offers a rude awakening about financial security in the twilight years; it also sheds light on how credit unions can help members better plan for life after a paycheck.
  • Members’ mortgage needs are as varied as the homes they hope to purchase. So why do most programs treat all borrowers the same? In the name of equity and accessibility, Honor Credit Union in Michigan segments its mortgage products by demographic, profession, and more.

How about your credit union? How do you support member financial wellbeing? What successes have you notched? What lessons have you learned? Let us know, and we might feature your story on CreditUnions.com.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Now Available - "Financial Literacy" From NCOFCU

https://www.ncofcu.org/financial-literacy The National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU) is dedicated to enhancing financial literacy among our members, members, particularly targeting the Millennial and Gen Z demographics. We are excited to share our engaging financial education video series, designed to address their key concerns regarding earning, saving, and spending money wisely. Here are several critical financial lessons that can significantly impact your personal finance management and long-term financial health. Discover how staying informed and educated about financial products and market trends can empower you to make smarter financial decisions. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT3lzRTXnHw4LjHuOIk31eTDxaQ7J7B0f   _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Sheehans Consulting LLC - "We only have one goal in mind!"

We have one goal in mind: “What is best for you? We achieve strategic initiatives, develop products, optimize profitability and productivity through best practices, and make our firm a strong asset for professional services.  With over 30 years of experience in public administration, credit union, and association management, I have developed a solid track record in leadership and development.  Please visit us at https://www.sheehansconsultingllc.com/ to learn more about what we can do for you.   _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Best Places to Retire

  List: Best Places to Retire Midland, Michigan , was ranked the best place to retire , according to a ranking of 850 cities by U.S. News . The top locations had the best mix of affordability, quality of life, health care access, and other benefits. The top five were rounded out by Weirton, West Virginia , Homosassa Springs, Florida , The Woodlands, Texas , and Spring, Texas . Midland scored top marks on walkability , culture , retail establishments , and restaurants . The town is just a short drive from beaches at the edge of Lake Huron . The top 25 included nine cities in Florida and six in Texas. See the full list here . _________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

Trump Administration Declares CFPB Funding Illegal, Bureau’s Cash To Run Out By Early 2026

WASHINGTON—Credit-unions face a potential regulatory vacuum as the Trump Administration formally has determined the CFPB’s current self-funding mechanism unlawful—a move that could put the agency on a path to closure in early 2026 unless Congress steps in. For credit-union leaders, who rely on the Bureau’s oversight of consumer-finance markets and enforcement of unfair practices, the decision signals a major disruption to the regulatory environment CUs navigate daily. In a court filing released late Monday, the Administration declared that the CFPB is now legally barred from seeking additional funds from the Federal Reserve System—the agency’s usual funding source under the Dodd‑Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, POLITICO reported. That means the Bureau’s remaining resources will likely carry it only through the end of the year, after which it “anticipates exhausting its currently available funds in early 2026.” CUToday.info has tracked this story, noting in  Oct...

Zero - Cost - Zero - Risk

  https://synergycu.org/ _______________________________________________ Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board

TruStage Economic Projections for 2026 - Steve Rick

MADISON, Wis.– Noting it’s “that time a year to make economic projections for 2026,”   TruStage’s   economists are offering their preview for what they believe lies ahead. “We expect real GDP to expand 1.5% in 2026, below the 1.8% pace for 2025, and lower than the 2% long run trend growth rate,” wrote the company’s chief economist, Steve Rick, in TruStage’s newest Trends Report. “Growth will be slightly weaker than normal due to tariff policy uncertainty, restrictive monetary policy and slower labor force growth.” The report states that inflation is expected to be 3% in 2026, only falling slightly from the 3.1% pace this year. “We expect inflation to run above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target as firms pass through any additional tariff costs and the slow growth in labor force will keep upward pressure on wage growth,” the report observes. “This stubbornly high inflation will ensure monetary policy stays restrictive for most of 2026.” The Trends Report notes that the unemploymen...

NCUA Reports Continued Credit Union Loan Growth in First Quarter of 2016

"ALEXANDRIA, Va. (June 3, 2016) – Credit unions continued to increase their lending, with loans outstanding increasing 10.7 percent in the year ending in the first quarter of 2016, the National Credit Union Administration reported today.  “The credit union system again experienced solid performance during the first quarter of 2016,” NCUA Board Chairman Rick Metsger said. “Overall, new and used auto lending was especially strong, and the system gained one million members. With an influx of deposits, federally insured shares at credit unions also neared the $1 trillion mark coming in at $991.7 billion.  “As credit union lending has increased, long-term investments have declined and reduced the system’s interest rate risk. However, delinquency and charge-off rates are slightly higher than a year ago, and member-business loan delinquencies are rising even more. Credit unions making such loans should take note and ensure that they perform proper due diligence to mitigate the r...

Federal Open Market Committee has opted to not raise rates

WASHINGTON–As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee has concluded it's meeting today and opted to not raise rates, leaving the target range for the federal funds rate at 2.25%  to 2.50%. Jerome Powell In a statement released at the conclusion of its meeting here, the FOMC said data show that since March, the labor market has remained strong and that economic activity rose at a solid rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low, the Fed said. While acknowledging the growth of household spending and business fixed investment slowed in the first quarter, the Fed noted that on a 12-month basis, overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy have declined and are running below 2%. “On balance, market-based measures of inflation compensation has remained low in recent months, and survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed,” the...

House Vote Ends Longest Shutdown In U.S. History

WASHINGTON—The House late Wednesday approved a sweeping funding measure to end the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, clearing the way for federal agencies to reopen within hours and for hundreds of thousands of workers and service members to receive long-delayed pay. The vote was 222-209, with just six Democrats breaking with their leadership, POLITOCO said. President Trump is expected to sign the measure before night’s end, allowing federal operations to resume Thursday morning. The chamber’s vote—coming after days of intense negotiations and following the Senate’s 60–40 passage—sent the bipartisan agreement to President Donald Trump for his signature, effectively ending a shutdown that stretched well past six weeks and rattled everything from military readiness to basic government services. The package includes a continuing resolution funding the government through Jan. 30. The measure also includes a three-bill “minibus” of full-year funding for the Department...

Interest-bearing stablecoins could siphon deposits from community banks and credit unions

  WASHINGTON — Warning that interest-bearing stablecoins could siphon deposits from community banks and other traditional financial institutions, the American Bankers Association joined 52 state bankers associations from across the country in submitting a   letter   to the U.S. Department of the Treasury urging strong implementation of the GENIUS Act’s prohibition on interest for payment stablecoins. The letter, which responds to Treasury’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding implementation of the GENIUS Act, emphasizes the need to preserve the law’s core intent: ensuring stablecoins serve as payment tools, not investment vehicles. iStock-Gri-spb “The GENIUS Act’s prohibition on a payment stablecoin issuer paying interest or yield on payment stablecoins reflects Congress’s intent for payment stablecoins to be used for transactions and not as investment vehicles,” the associations wrote. “Treasury must reinforce this intent.” The associations warn that wit...