Why Credit Unions Are Worth Celebrating

Today we celebrate credit unions like ours and how as an industry we help consumers and communities. Happy International Credit Union Day!

In 1924, Roy Bergengren, one of the architects of the credit union movement, reflected on what a credit union can do for people.

“The credit union is, in fact, a bridge,” Bergengren wrote in the inaugural issue of “The Bridge,” the official newsletter of the American credit union movement, which was then in its infancy. “It may be the bridge over which the tenant farmer travels the wide gap that separates him from ownership. It may be the way that opens the great land of opportunity to the wage worker, who finds his savings the ‘open sesame’ to broader possibilities for himself and his family.”

Twenty-four years later in 1948, credit unions in America, and later around the world, began celebrating the philosophy and achievements of credit unions every year on the third Thursday in October. For International Credit Union Day 2023, we mark this celebration’s historic 75th anniversary by acknowledging the tireless effort of credit union employees while celebrating members across the world.

At A+FCU, we’re committed to strengthening our communities and we couldn’t do that without the help of our employees. Throughout the year, Team A+ volunteers with our A+ Gives program to help support our community partners. Thanks to our staff, this program continues to thrive as a core way to support our mission of Banking on Each Other. Building Stronger Communities.^®

Thanks to our members we have success to celebrate. In 2023, as a result of community voting, A+FCU won five awards at the Austin Community’s Choice Awards hosted by the Austin-American Statesman – Best Credit Union, Best Customer Service, Best Overall Leadership, Best Employee Benefits Program, Best Exo-Friendly/Green Business. We’re honored to be recognized in this way by our members and we’re committed to continue providing this degree of service.

Since credit unions are not-for-profit financial institutions, there is – and always has been – a unique focus on being of service and directly giving back to members. That means you.

This people-first philosophy doesn’t just mean better service, it translates into a better financial deal for consumers. Credit unions, on average, offer higher rates of return on savings accounts, lower rates on loans, and fewer and lower fees than other financial institutions.

So today we celebrate credit unions like ours and how as an industry we help consumers and communities. Happy International Credit Union Day!