Topline Financial Credit Union Receives National Recognition for Adult Financial Education Efforts

TopLine receives honorable mention for CUNA’s Desjardins Financial Education Award

TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, was one of two Minnesota Credit Unions to receive national recognition and for taking home a 2023 Desjardins Financial Education Award. The award, sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), recognizes credit unions for superior adult financial education programs benefitting the credit union’s members and communities. The award, named after credit union pioneer Alphonse Desjardins, emphasizes the movement's longtime commitment to financial education.

TopLine’s national honorable mention was in the Adult Category for the credit union’s partnership with Energy Careers Academy presenting a financial education half-day workshop. Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Xcel Energy and the Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence partnered to engage students with diverse backgrounds in energy-related fields of study by launching the Energy Careers Academy in 2023.

TopLine partnered with the Energy Careers Academy to present a financial education workshop to the inaugural cohort of students. The session was designed to equip adults (ages 26 – 50) with a better understanding of personal finance basics and develop healthy financial habits, such as establishing a financial services relationship, developing a budget, importance of saving (emergency, retirement/401k), tracking expenses, using credit wisely, paying down debt, understanding credit reports and scores, and the importance of planning for their future.

“We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in providing financial education programming opportunities for our members and in our communities to improve financial well-being,” said Mick Olson, TopLine Financial Credit Union President and CEO. “We are committed to helping consumers develop healthy financial habits by offering an elevated level of financial wellness guidance.”