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Wisconsin credit unions honored for community involvement

Wisconsin credit unions are being honored with a Corporate Citizenship Award—recognizing community involvement—from Corporate Report Wisconsin magazine (see page 36 of the November issue). The accolade honors businesses that make a positive difference in Wisconsin.

Credit unions were honored for:

• Advancing a food drive that supports 108 food pantries statewide;

• Year-round financial literacy efforts that encourage regular saving and responsible borrowing;

• Seeking state legislation doubling their own charitable giving capacity; and

• Additional REAL Solutions that reduce dependency on predatory financial providers, encourage saving and wealth-building, build creditworthiness, increase financial self-sufficiency and improve the economic well-being of Wisconsin communities. Wisconsin credit unions saved their members $201 million in 2011 through more competitive rates on loans and saving and lower and fewer fees.

"To credit unions, Corporate Citizenship is not some contrived strategy," said League President & CEO Brett Thompson. "It's ingrained in their mission as not-for-profit cooperatives. Because they have no stockholders, their values are in people, not profits. It's doing the right thing for the members who own them and the communities where they live and work."

"Credit unions have helped members overcome some big challenges in recent years and in doing so have earned consumer trust and stayed strong financially," he added. "It's gratifying to see them acknowledged in front of a statewide audience as well as extend the long list of honors they've already achieved. The League extends our heartfelt congratulations."

Credit unions are encouraged to tout this collective honor among their staff, directors, members, media and lawmakers. A copy of the award certificate, along with a sample newsletter article, are being included in the October League Mail packet, sent to all credit union presidents.

You can also download the award certificate, a sample press release and graphics (useful for your newsletter, on your website, as teller buttons or window clings, and more) on our download page at www.theleague.coop/ccaward.

Questions? Contact Christine Henzig at (262) 408-6019 for assistance.