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What credit union people love about their credit unions! #ILoveMyCreditUnion

Image Description: A promotional calendar graphic for "I Love My Credit Union" highlights the month of July 2026. The design features a warm yellow calendar bordered against a light gray background patterned with repeating heart-shaped credit union logos. At the top left is the colorful "I Love My Credit Union" logo, while "JULY 2026" appears prominently across the top in large, bold red lettering. Below is a traditional monthly calendar laid out from Sunday through Saturday, with each day displayed in a clean grid. The date Friday, July 31 is emphasized by being displayed in bold red and encircled with a hand-drawn red marker circle, drawing attention to the final day of the month. The rest of the calendar dates are shown in dark gray, providing contrast with the highlighted date. The overall graphic has a clean, simple, and celebratory design intended to call attention to an important July event or deadline related to the I Love My Credit Union campaign.

Credit union work isn’t the highest-paying gig in financial services. It rarely makes the national, mainstream media headlines.

But it keeps credit union professionals coming back year after year, despite recessions, regulatory headaches and technology overhauls.

We asked credit union leaders across the country what they genuinely love about their credit unions. Their answers aren’t about profit margins or market share. They’re about mission, community and the people around them. Here’s what they said

“Too often in financial services, people have to choose between what they need right now and what’s best for the community they live in. Credit unions were built to let people choose both at the same time. They’ve done it for generations, and we’re honored to help credit unions do it for the generations coming up next.”

James Chemplavil, CEO/founder, Salus 

Matthew Gaspari, CEO, Tucson Federal Credit Union

“What I love most about Metro is that every decision we make starts with people. Whether we’re improving experiences for our members, investing in our employees, or supporting the communities we serve, there’s a genuine commitment to making a positive impact. It’s rewarding to be part of an organization that never loses sight of its purpose. “

Traci Michel COO & CSO, Metro Credit Union 

Tucson Federal Credit Union CEO Matthew Gaspari on #ILoveMyCreditUnion Day 2026
“I love Tucson Federal Credit Union because we prove every day that financial services can be both successful and purpose-driven.  Our cooperative model allows us to invest in people, support our community, and create opportunities for generations of members.  Leading an organization with that mission is both a privilege and an inspiration.”
Matthew Gaspari, CEO, Tucson Federal Credit Union
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“I love my credit union because every decision starts with a simple question: “What’s best for the member?” In a world that often feels transactional, credit unions remind me that banking can still be personal, compassionate, and centered around people. We’re not just helping people with money. We’re helping them build confidence, create opportunities, and sometimes even change the direction of their lives.”
Amber Mooney, VP of Operations, TruEnergy Federal Credit Union
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“I love my Credit Union because our volunteer Board of Directors keeps us focused on our not-for-profit values and mission to do the right things for our membership, staff and community, knowing that solid bottom line results will follow – instead of the other way around where for-profit institutions focus on the bottom line and “use” their staff and customers as a way to achieve maximization of capital.”
David Woodruff, CEO, APL Federal Credit Union
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“When I think about why credit unions matter, I think about my family. My grandmother was a school bus driver. My dad was a welder. My mom chose to stay home to raise my brother and me after becoming one of the first women at Tampa Electric who had the opportunity to continue working after becoming pregnant. Those are the hardworking people credit unions were founded to serve, and they’re the people I think about every day when I come to work. When I lost everything in a house fire after Hurricane Irma, it was the credit union movement that showed up for my family and carried us through one of the darkest seasons of our lives. That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: credit unions don’t just provide financial services, they provide hope, belonging, and people who show up when life happens. That’s something no fintech or automation will ever replace.”
Juli Lewis, VP of Community Engagement, USF Credit Union
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“I love my credit union because every day we support people in achieving goals they never thought possible. Helping our members succeed, celebrating their milestones, and giving back to our communities is such a privilege. There’s something special about being part of an organization that’s owned by the very people it serves.”
Jennifer Borowy, President / CEO, Michigan First Credit Union
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“I can think of a thousand reasons why I love working for Coastal and a thousand more why I love being a credit union member. But the biggest thing I love about credit unions by far is my credit union family. I know we all use that term both extensively and figuratively, but mine is literal. I met my wife at a Credit Union Development Educator lunch, and together we’ve worked on the two cutest DE projects ever. Cooperation Among Cooperatives at its finest!”
Joe Mecca, VP of Communication / Spokesperson, Coastal Credit Union
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“I love working at Truliant because our employees never settle for the status quo. Every day, we look for ways to improve the products, services, and experiences we provide, all with a shared commitment to helping our members achieve their financial goals. It’s this dedication to our members and our mission that makes Truliant special.”
Jerad Broaddus, VP Collections and Credit Underwriting, Truliant Federal Credit Union
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“After more than three decades in the credit union movement, what continues to inspire me is the unique ability of credit unions to improve lives and strengthen communities. At Spectra Credit Union, we celebrate the success stories that happen every day, helping members achieve financial goals, supporting them through difficult times, and providing opportunities that might not otherwise be available. I love that my credit union is guided by a mission rather than profits alone. Every decision we make is focused on creating value for our members, and there is no greater reward than seeing the difference that commitment makes in the lives of the people we serve.”
Kristin Shultz, President / CEO, Spectra Credit Union
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“I’ve never believed that banking is about money. At its best, it’s about people. That’s why I love credit unions. ‘People Helping People’ isn’t just our philosophy, it’s our purpose. When we help someone buy their first home, recover from hardship, start a business, or simply feel heard, we prove that financial services can still be deeply human.”
Amy Stevens, SVP, Member Experience, GreenState Credit Union
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“I love credit unions because they’re built on a simple but powerful belief: when people help people, entire communities thrive. At Affinity Federal Credit Union, that belief comes to life through our commitment to our members’ wellbeing by making a difference in members’ lives and by empowering them with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to make informed financial decisions and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. As member-owned, not-for-profit organizations, credit unions put people before profits, creating meaningful opportunities that strengthen both individual lives and the communities we all proudly serve.”
Kevin Brauer, President & CEO, Affinity Federal Credit Union
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“I love the credit union industry because we compete with the same intensity and drive as any financial institution, but our success serves a greater purpose. Our profits don’t enrich shareholders—they better the lives of our members, employees, and the communities we call home. It’s a mission we live out every day, and that’s why I love Financial Plus Credit Union.”
Brad Bergmooser, CEO, Financial Plus Credit Union – Michigan
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“I love my credit union because it proves—locally, nationally, and globally—that cooperative finance is still the most human, dignified, and powerful way to build a better world. It’s where community becomes impact, where purpose becomes strategy, and where people come together to create something stronger than any one institution could ever be. My credit union is my reminder that democracy in finance isn’t just possible—it’s alive, it’s evolving, and it’s worth fighting for.”
Susan Mitchell, CEO, Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates
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