CUs in the News: July 2026

Whether it’s giving back, awarding scholarships, creating community, providing innovative solutions, or fostering financial literacy (and so much more), here’s how Wisconsin’s credit unions supported their members and communities in July!

Giving Back

Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union collecting new children’s books for Marshfield Children’s Hospital book vending machine
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union is collecting new children’s books to help stock a free book vending machine planned for the Pediatric Urgent Care and Emergency waiting area at Marshfield Children’s Hospital. The credit union’s goal is to collect 100 new books by July 31. The final count will be celebrated during MMCCU’s I Love My Credit Union event on July 31, and community members are encouraged to attend, bring a new children’s book and help support the effort. (Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union, 7/6)

Royal Credit Union to Launch Small Business Grant program

Royal Credit Union will launch a brand-new program on Wednesday, July 8th with the goal of expanding to support even more small businesses throughout Royal’s footprint in the future. RCU will award a $3,000 grant to one Chippewa Valley Small Business. Applications open July 8- Oct 1. The award will be announced in November. (Royal Credit Union, 7/7)

Connexus Credit Union seeks donations for food drive
Connexus Credit Union is collecting canned food donations in July to support local food pantries. The credit union is aiming for 250 items as part of its Connexus Cares program, according to a community announcement. Donations can be dropped off at select Connexus branches. Suggested items include canned vegetables, fruits, soups and other shelf-stable goods. (Connexus Credit Union, 7/2)

How Marine Credit Union turned employee investment into real member impact
In early June, Lichty, Marine’s director of financial education, took 39 of the LaCrosse, Wisconsin-based cooperative’s certified financial counselors and key staff members downstate for the credit union’s first-ever financial counselor conference. The gathering, held at TruStage’s facility with America’s Credit Unions participating, wasn’t a training event in the traditional sense. It was an investment in people who, in turn, invest in members every day. (Marine Credit Union, 7/14)

Creating Community

38th annual Paperfest: Four days of free fun and music in Kimberly

Officials have released the details for all the free music and fun that will take place during the 38th annual Paperfest in Kimberly. According to a release, this year’s Paperfest, presented by Community First Credit Union, is returning to Kimberly’s Sunset Park from July 16 through July 19, promising four full days of free live entertainment, family activities, and patriotic celebrations. (Community First Credit Union, 7/10)

From social posts to parties: credit unions mark I Love My Credit Union Day
On the afternoon of Friday, July 31, the parking lot at Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union will fill with the smell of food-truck cooking, the sight of children decorating bookmarks, and the satisfaction of a community goal met. The Wisconsin credit union is marking I Love My Credit Union Day (#ILoveMyCreditUnion) with a free public event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., complete with a photo booth, face painting, and the finale of a book drive for young patients at Marshfield Children’s. (Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union, 7/23)

THS students, Park City Credit Union partner on cutting boards for new home buyers

The School District of Tomahawk recently teamed up with Park City Credit Union to make gifts for new home buyers. The district’s Enterprise Wood Products class designed and created cutting boards for Park City’s mortgage team to share with members celebrating a new home. “We’re proud to partner with local schools and grateful to these students for their hard work and creativity,” Park City said. (Park City Credit Union, 7/24)

Supporting Financial Literacy

FCCU Hosts 4th Annual Common Cents Summer Camp for Kids

Fort Community Credit Union [FCCU] is thrilled to announce the 4th Annual Common Cents Kids Camp, set to take place on Thursday, July 30 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at the FCCU Home Mortgage Store at 732 Madison Ave in Fort Atkinson. This engaging camp aims to empower children grades 2-5 with financial skills. Participants will learn the basics of money management, budgeting, and saving in a fun, interactive environment. The camp will be taught by FCCU’s Certified Financial Coaches using hands-on activities, games, and unique experiences to reinforce what is learned. (Fort Community Credit Union, 7/8)

White Bear Lake Area High School Students Gain Real-World Experience Through New Royal Credit Union School Site
Royal Credit Union (Royal) is proud to announce a new partnership with White Bear Lake Area High School to open a student-run credit union location at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The new school site will expand access to financial education for White Bear Lake Area High School students. Through financial education activities, promotions, and structured programming, students will build practical knowledge in areas such as budgeting, saving, banking basics, credit, fraud prevention, and post-secondary financial planning. (Royal Credit Union, 7/14)

3 Questions with Corporate Central Credit Union’s Jesse Kohl
CUInsight’s Greg Michlig is joined by Jesse Kohl, SVP Corporate Development at Corporate Central Credit Union and President of InterLutions for a quick 3 question interview about future-ready solutions for modern credit union challenges… (Corporate Central Credit Union, 7/27)

Fostering Excellence

Wisconsin’s 22 Most Influential Asian American Leaders for 2026, Part 3
This week we highlight some of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian American leaders. Previous lists of the state’s most influential Black, Latino, Native American and Asian American leaders are published at Madison365.org/MostInfluential. (Guardian Credit Union, 7/1)

Community First Credit Union to Break Ground on New Manitowoc Branch
Manitowoc will soon have a new Community First Credit Union branch on the north side of the city. The local credit union has announced that it will be breaking ground on a new branch at 1000 Bayshore Drive on Friday, July 17th. Community First has been serving Northeast Wisconsin for over 51 years, and says this new location will build “on our commitment to our member-owners, and the Manitowoc community.” (Community First Credit Union)

Premier Financial Credit Union celebrates the journey from humble start to growing credit union
In this segment, Sara Cardinal, President and CEO of Premier Financial Credit Union, discusses the company’s history as well as how and why it was founded. She explains what services they provide, including all types of loans, checking and savings accounts, and more. With the opening of their fourth branch in Plymouth, they explained that they chose the location to support a community where they already have a strong membership base and how the credit union is investing in the community through actively supporting local events through sponsorships and community involvement, and with many team members volunteering for causes that matter to them and the credit union. (Premier Financial Credit Union, 7/24)