FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Lauren Williams – CUNA Communications; (202) 626-7642; lwilliams@cuna.coop
Tiffany Niederwerfer – CUNA Marketing; (608) 231-4284; tniederwerfer@cuna.coop

MADISON, Wis. (January 29, 2018) – The winners of the CUNA GAC 2018 Small Credit Union Scholarship Contest, sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group, were announced Monday.

For participating on the CUNA Small Credit Union Community, a national online networking platform for small credit unions, participants under $100 million in assets were entered into drawings for two scholarships to GAC, the largest credit union event of the year.

Tim Barthel, president/CEO, Southern Lakes CU, Kenosha, Wis., and Dani Lane, operations manager at ATL FCU, Wyoming, Mich., were each drawn as the winners of the contest.

“Credit union identity and advocacy are very important and the GAC is the event to celebrate both, but attending was out of reach for our small credit union,” Lane said. “The CUNA Small Credit Union Community is a place where we can cooperate, not compete, and I’ve gotten so much great information from it. And now, this!”

Added Barthel: “Being able to connect and learn from my fellow small credit unions is a testament to the credit union movement in action. CUNA’s Small Credit Union Community has been a valuable resource for me.”

Over the course of contest, which ran from Dec. 11 through Jan. 19, more than 200 small credit union professionals signed up for the Community, posting a combined 800 times in a single month. There are now more than 750 members enrolled in this CUNA member resource.

“Users have gone above and beyond answering questions and being resources for each other--it’s been inspiring to see,” said Tom Sakash, CUNA small credit union advisor. “The more small credit union professionals who participate, the stronger the Community becomes.”

Barthel and Lane receive free airfare to Washington, D.C., lodging up to four nights, and conference registration as the winners of the contest. Each will be recognized at the Small Credit Union Roundtable on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. at GAC. The Roundtable is also sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group.

“The CUNA Small Credit Union Community is a great resource, and we’re delighted this contest has helped boost usage and engagement,” said Tom Munley, vice president of sales for CUNA Mutual Group. “Congratulations to Tim and Dani. See you at GAC!”

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About CUNA
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 110 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org.

About CUNA Mutual Group
CUNA Mutual Group helps people plan, protect and invest for their future – regardless of their financial standing. The company was founded more than 80 years ago by credit union leaders who were looking for an insurance partner they could trust. Today, CUNA Mutual Group helps credit unions and hardworking Americans build financial security through commercial and personal insurance products; lending and payment security solutions; and risk management, retirement, investment and marketing services. Additional information about the company can be found at www.cunamutual.com.

CUNA Mutual Group is the marketing name for CUNA Mutual Holding Company, a mutual insurance holding company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Life, accident, health and annuity insurance products are issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company and MEMBERS Life Insurance Company. Corporate headquarters are located in Madison, Wis.