 Michigan State Athletics hosted its third annual EverGreen NIL Celebration presented by MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) in the Tom Izzo Hall of History at the Breslin Student Events Center. MSU is believed to be the only Power 4 institution in the country to celebrate the Name, Image, and Likeness achievements of its student-athletes. More than 100 student-athletes, coaches, staff, and vendors attended the event.
“Through the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes to the NIL space, we have established ourselves as the industry leader,” said Darien Harris, MSU Assistant Athletics Director for Business Development and NIL Strategy. In the last year, EverGreen successfully launched a first-of-its-kind elite student-athlete NIL program; hosted its third annual Business Summit with record attendance; onboarded its highest number of student-athletes to the group licensing program; and launched in-venue NIL apparel sales at football and hockey games among other accomplishments. During 2024, MSUFCU has increased its NIL partnership with Spartan student-athletes through the groundbreaking “Women of Sparta” program. “Women of Sparta expands MSUFCU’s NIL program to include ALL women’s sports teams at MSU along with offering student-athletes access to financial education, media training, mentorships, job shadowing, and leadership development,” said Betsy Young, MSUFCU Vice President of Marketing. “Through Women of Sparta and our support of this event and other initiatives, we want MSU student-athletes to know that they have a platform and an amazing opportunity to use their voice and a 365,000-member credit union with all of its resources has their back.” The night began with an awards ceremony where Spartan student-athletes and others in the industry were recognized. EverGreen Empower Award Given to the student-athletes who have used their NIL to empower others. Justina Gaynor, women’s soccer for her partnership with Walled Lake Consolidated Schools athletics Jalen Thompson, football for establishing the Jalen Thompson Anti-Gun Violence Football Camp EverGreen Content Creator of the Year Award Given to the student-athletes who through consistency and performance on social media have curated a strong audience across multiple platforms. Savannah Breitwiser, track and field Coen Carr, men’s basketball EverGreen Ambassador of the Year Award Presented to two Spartans who have best represented and promoted use of the EverGreen program through their all-encompassing NIL activations. Ozan Baris, men’s tennis Mia Rogan, track and field/cross country EverGreen Educator of the Year Award Recognizes someone who has gone above and beyond to be a resource for student-athletes across the country. Sam Green, CEO of NIL with Sam Green and Founder of Athlete Con EverGreen NIL Activation of the Year Award Thomas Nihra and the Spartan Fantasy Camp for facilitating NIL-driven experience camps for fans with the football and women’s golf teams EverGreen Team of the Year Presented to the team who individually and collectively have created meaningful and impactful opportunities in the NIL space together. Track and field/cross country Following the awards ceremony, attendees were able to meet and mingle with representatives from NIL activation partners and vendors. Note: More photos available upon request.
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 The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation hosted its annual donor event last week at the Credit Union’s headquarters in East Lansing.
More than 100 people attended the Desk Drawer Foundation Second Annual Donor Event, which featured food, live music, and formal remarks from Desk Drawer Foundation officials, MSUFCU leadership, and the executive directors of Impression 5 Science Museum and Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region. This year’s event was generously sponsored by TruStage. Founded in 2019, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation focuses on five philanthropic pillars as it fulfills its mission to partner with donors to empower transformational change to make a sustainable difference in our communities. These pillars are the arts, entrepreneurship, financial education, stable housing, and youth empowerment. “This was our second annual event to recognize and thank our donors and grantees for making the incredible impact of the Desk Drawer Foundation possible,” said Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Surian. “The evening was a chance to foster connections, celebrate achievements, and highlight the Desk Drawer Foundation’s support for nonprofits in communities where our Credit Union members live and work.” Since its inception, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation has given more than $2.8 million in meaningful grants to 50-plus nonprofit organizations throughout Michigan. Grants announced to-date in 2024, funded by the Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, were awarded to the following organizations:
Additionally, MSUFCU employees vote on nonprofits they wish to support through their personal charitable contributions, employee fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities. For 2024, they are:
“The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation is a testament to the compassion and generosity of our members and employees,” said April Clobes, MSUFCU President and CEO. “Their contributions, totaling an impressive $200,000 so far this year, demonstrate that our employees are truly committed to the Credit Union’s core value of giving back to the community.” “Nearly 75% of the 1,200-plus MSUFCU employees have contributed to the Foundation this year,” said Angela Brown, Foundation Board Chair. “Additionally, I am proud to share that 100% of my colleagues on the MSUFCU Board and the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation Board have contributed to the Foundation.” For more information on the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation and to donate, visit deskdrawerfund.org, call 517-333-2299, or email [email protected].  Joan Opp Velera – formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization (CUSO) and an integrated financial technology solutions provider – today announced the appointment of Joan Opp, president and CEO of Stanford Federal Credit Union, as a member of its Board of Directors. Opp replaces former Velera board member and previous president and CEO of Alliant Credit Union Dennis Devine.
“Formerly Co-op Solutions’ board chair and currently a special advisor to the Velera Board of Directors, Joan has played an important role in helping guide our organization through the PSCU/Co-op Solutions combination and into our future as Velera,” said Chuck Fagan, president and CEO of Velera. “We are extremely pleased to welcome her as a member of the Velera board and are confident her skills and industry expertise will help us continue to deliver innovative solutions, services and support for our credit unions.” “Velera’s Board of Directors comprises CEOs from credit unions of various asset sizes and membership types, representing diverse regions across the country. These distinct perspectives play a crucial role in strengthening Velera’s overall offerings and capabilities,” said Frank Weidner, chair of the Velera Board of Directors and president and CEO of Wings Financial Credit Union. “On behalf of the board, we welcome Joan and look forward to continuing to work together to help position credit unions to achieve their objectives and compete in today’s evolving payments landscape.” Additional Velera Board of Directors members include:
Reseda Group Forms Partnerships with Credit Union Leagues in Connecticut, Kentucky and New Mexico11/12/2024  April Clobes Reseda Group, a wholly owned credit union service organization of MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), today announced its strategic partnerships with the Credit Union League of Connecticut (CULCT), Kentucky Credit Union League and Credit Union Association of New Mexico (CUANM). The alliance agreements will help the state organizations empower credit unions by providing access to Reseda Group’s ecosystem of dynamic products, financial technologies and innovative solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s digital-first members.
“At Reseda Group, we are committed to driving innovation that supports the success of credit unions and their members,” said April Clobes, president and CEO of Reseda Group and MSUFCU. “By partnering with these leading advocates, we can expand our solutions and technologies to reach more credit unions nationwide. Together, we’re creating new opportunities to help credit unions better connect with and serve their members. This collaboration marks an exciting step in shaping the future of financial services.” As part of the partnerships, CULCT, the Kentucky Credit Union League, and CUANM will promote a collection of Reseda Group’s products and services to their member credit unions, allowing each group to select the best offerings that meet their needs. Each organization can choose from Reseda Group’s growing portfolio of fintech products and innovative solutions, including Ever Green and OneClick Financial, along with their wholly owned entities, Foresight Group and M3 Group, to promote to their members. These opportunities will provide credit unions with the ability to strengthen their relationships with their member base by delivering unique, highly valuable experiences. “The landscape credit unions need to navigate continues to evolve,” said Chris Whalen, vice president of marketing and strategic solutions or CULCT. “Our collaboration with Reseda Group expands the solutions we have available to help Connecticut’s credit unions grow and maximize their positive impact.” Kentucky Credit Union League’s President and CEO Jim Kasch said joining forces with Reseda Group marks a pivotal moment in the organization’s journey toward greater innovation and impact. “Together, we are driving transformative change, unlocking new possibilities and opportunities for our credit unions,” said Kasch. “This partnership embodies our shared commitment to excellence and reinforces our dedication to shaping a brighter financial future for our members and the communities we serve." This collaborative effort highlights Reseda Group’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions that enhance member engagement and financial well-being while expanding the award-winning CUSO’s reach across the United States, strengthening its impact on the credit union industry. “With collaboration as one element of our mission for serving New Mexico credit unions, we are pleased to bring Reseda Group in as a strategic partner,” said Melia D. Heimbuck, Esq., president and CEO of CUANM. “Reseda Group’s tools will help our member credit unions connect with their members, help them enhance their member’s digital experience and build loyalty through financial education solutions.”  Jessica Hrubes CUES is pleased to announce a new leadership position that will play a critical role in establishing and cultivating supplier relationships, providing CUES members with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to help them thrive.
Jessica Hrubes has joined CUES as the Vice President of Business Development. Hrubes brings an impressive 22 years of credit union industry experience—including earlier experience at CUES—with expertise focused on building strategic relationships and collaborating with industry leaders to advance organizational missions. As the Vice President of Business Development, Hrubes will build relationships with suppliers, partners, and vendors that seek to support and elevate credit union leaders in new and innovative ways. Hrubes will also be responsible for managing supplier relationships, establishing new partnerships and expanding the profile and reach of CUES through strategic opportunities. “Jessica’s addition to the CUES team represents an exciting step forward for our business development capabilities while continuing to strengthen our industry relationships,” shared Heather McKissick, CUES CEO. “Jessica’s expertise and fresh perspective are invaluable as CUES continues to grow and innovate. We look forward to leveraging her relationship-building talents and keen intuition for the needs of credit union leaders, to help us best serve our valued CUES members.”  Steven Bugg Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU), a not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in Northern Illinois with more than $1.6 billion in assets, is pleased to announce its expansion into Central Illinois and Western Indiana through a strategic purchase of a Vibrant Credit Union branch located in Danville, Illinois.
GLCU is acquiring nearly 12,000 accounts, $66 million in deposits, and $22 million in loans from Vibrant. The asset acquisition aligns with GLCU's mission of expanding access to financial empowerment, as well as the credit union's commitment to offering state-of-the-art products, services, and technology to a wide membership base. Members of Vibrant's Danville branch will soon gain access to GLCU's suite of innovative products and services, including digital banking, 24/7 assistance from GLCU's AI chatbot Olive, interest-bearing checking accounts, competitive rates on loans and savings accounts, and more. GLCU is dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves. This expansion will allow GLCU to extend its community giveback programs into Central Illinois and Western Indiana through the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment. Key services offered through the Foundation include free HUD-certified financial and housing counseling services, youth financial education, community support, partnerships, and scholarships. "We are thrilled to expand our footprint into Central Illinois and Western Indiana. We look forward to welcoming members from Vibrant's Danville branch to GLCU," said Steve Bugg, GLCU's President and CEO. "This expansion not only enhances our membership base but also strengthens our ability to give back, ensuring that we can provide valuable resources to those who need them most in Northern and Central Illinois along with three counties in Western Indiana." This asset purchase follows GLCU’s recent merger with encurage financial network credit union (EFNCU). GLCU and EFNCU announced their intention to merge in January 2024, and the merger became official on June 1, 2024. EFNCU brought 14,000 members, mostly in the Chicagoland area, and more than $200 million in assets to GLCU through the merger.  Alkami Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALKT) (“Alkami”), a leading cloud-based digital banking solutions for financial institutions in the U.S., today announced it has been listed as the top digital banking provider in credit union market share based on the number of enrolled mobile users by FI Navigator, a leading U.S. banking vertical data and analytics company. FI Navigator data also shows that credit unions on the Alkami platform outperformed their peers in deposit, loan, and revenue growth from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024.
“Alkami is privileged to be the trusted leader in digital banking among credit unions and to serve the most successful institutions in the market,” said Alex Shootman, chief executive officer at Alkami. “We are honored to deliver a digital sales and service platform that helps our clients engage and retain their account holders to outpace their peers in key financial metrics.” This announcement comes on the heels of Alkami’s Mobile Platform being certified by J.D. Power for “An Outstanding Mobile Banking Platform Experience1” for clients. To earn this certification, Alkami’s mobile banking app ranked among top performers in the most recent J.D. Power North America Mobile App Satisfaction IndexSM and Alkami outperformed industry benchmarks across 146 best practices covering all aspects of mobile app development, design, and operational performance. Curry Pelot, chief information officer and founder at FI Navigator added, “At FI Navigator, our mission is to provide financial institutions and their partners with business insights that inform strategic decisions, from profitability and franchise growth to risk management and product development. This achievement highlights the exceptional level of service that Alkami consistently delivers to its credit union customers.” To learn more about Alkami’s Digital Banking Solutions, visit here. Rocky Mountain Credit Union and United One Credit Union Launch Mahalo’s Thoughtful Banking Platform11/6/2024  Denny Howell Mahalo Banking, a CUSO that provides online and mobile banking solutions for credit unions, today announced that Montana-based Rocky Mountain Credit Union (Rocky Mountain) and Wisconsin-based UnitedOne Credit Union (UnitedOne) are both now live on its enhanced Thoughtful BankingÒ platform. This innovative platform provides the credit unions with a streamlined interface to their core processor as well as customizable navigation capabilities.
Mahalo’s Thoughtful Banking provides a mobile-optimized user experience, featuring seamless functionality across both mobile and online banking. This enhanced platform empowers members to easily modify account information and access a variety of features, promoting greater self-service and significantly reducing calls to the credit unions call centers. Moreover, the platform offers exceptional flexibility, allowing credit unions and their members to tailor the digital experience to their unique needs. Members can select left- or right-hand modes, set alerts for account activity, and customize color schemes to accommodate neurodiversity or personal visual preferences, ensuring a more inclusive and personalized experience. Both credit unions reported that transitioning to the Thoughtful Banking platform was an outstanding experience. They praised the Mahalo team for ensuring a smooth transition and noted that the team embodies credit union values. They recognize Mahalo’s commitment to providing members with fast, easy, and secure access to their accounts while being dedicated to assisting them in any way possible. “Working with the Mahalo team is a true partnership,” said Erin Johnston, Senior Vice President, Rocky Mountain Credit Union. “The enhancements brought on by the latest version have been appreciated by our staff and membership. Many of the changes were asked for by their clients and their membership base, making the transition a welcome update.” Aletia Novak, Business System Manager, at UnitedOne Credit Union said, “Conversions can often be demanding, but Mahalo did a great job once again. The dedicated support we received during the process made everything incredibly smooth. We held weekly meetings to cover every aspect of digital banking, from comprehensive staff training to member communications, and they were always ready to respond to any questions we had.” Mahalo's Thoughtful Banking platform is the first and only digital banking solution to fully integrate comprehensive neurodiverse functionality directly into its platform. This inclusive approach enables credit unions to support and embrace all members while accommodating any unique needs they may have. The platform also offers Credential Assurance Technology (CAT) that prevents credential stuffing attacks and offers vital cybersecurity support for credit unions and their members. Denny Howell, COO of Mahalo Banking, said, “Mahalo’s team is committed to providing credit unions and their members with the tools they need for a positive digital banking experience. We made a promise to our customers to make digital banking more human, and with this upgrade, we are fulfilling that promise. We are very proud of the successful teamwork we had with Rocky Mountain and UnitedOne. Both credit unions have shared with us that their members have provided positive feedback on the new look and feel with Thoughtful Banking. We are excited to continue our strong relationship and support their ongoing success.” Agent IQ, a leader in AI-powered digital relationship banking, today announced a strategic partnership with Narmi, a leading provider of digital banking solutions. This collaboration will integrate Agent IQ’s Lynq® platform with Narmi’s digital banking and account opening products, enabling community banks and credit unions to enhance customer experience and engagement across digital channels.
The partnership is poised to reshape the landscape of digital banking by empowering financial institutions to deliver seamless, personal, and AI-powered customer experiences. By bringing together Narmi's state-of-the-art digital banking platform with the personal engagement and efficiency capabilities of Agent IQ’s Lynq platform, banks and credit unions will be better positioned to meet their customers' evolving digital expectations. Benefits of the partnership include:
“By integrating our Lynq relationship banking platform with Narmi’s digital banking solutions, we’re equipping banks and credit unions with tools to offer a vastly improved customer experience while also empowering them to be more efficient,” said Slaven Bilac, CEO and co-founder of Agent IQ. Angela Gentry Yue, SVP of Operations at Narmi, echoed the sentiment: "Agent IQ is a perfect complement to Narmi’s digital banking and account opening products. Together, we’re providing financial institutions with a comprehensive suite of tools that significantly enhance digital engagement and operational efficiency. This collaboration marks a major advancement in our mission to drive innovation in the banking industry.”  SELCO Community Credit Union is inviting Oregonians to cast a vote of a different kind — for their favorite classroom makeover project among nine finalists. The online public vote will decide three winning educators for a Regional Classroom Makeover—one each from Central and Eastern Oregon, Northwest Oregon, and Southwest Oregon. The three winners will receive as much as $15,000 apiece to transform their learning spaces.
The public voting process is open now through Thursday, Nov. 14 at www.selco.org/vote. Voters are limited to one vote among the finalists in their local region. The Classroom Makeover program is part of the SELCO Steps Up initiative that launched earlier this year. One of the key goals for SELCO Steps Up is to introduce new programs in response to the changing needs of the community. One such need was additional financial support for educators, who often dip into their pockets each school year to make even modest classroom improvements. For this program, SELCO defined “Classroom” as any school learning space, including traditional classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums, and outdoor spaces. The response from educators underscored this need, with applications arriving from across the state for a wide array of project ideas. “It’s been exciting to see such high-quality, diverse applications in the program’s inaugural year,” said Olivia Sorensen, Senior Community Development Specialist for SELCO. “We believe that accessible, inclusive, and inspiring learning spaces are essential to student success — and these projects hit the mark.” The nine finalists chosen by the SELCO Steps Up selection committee include: From Central/Eastern Oregon:
From Northwest Oregon:
From Southwest Oregon:
“We look forward to continuing this tradition of supporting transformative classroom experiences for educators and students,” said Sorensen. “We’re hopeful these initial projects will inspire even more educators to bring forward their ideas in future years.” Vote at www.selco.org/vote and click HERE for an image of the SELCO Steps Up team in a local classroom. For more information about SELCO Steps Up Classroom Makeovers, visit www.selco.org/steps-up/student-and-educator-support/. |
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