Real Solutions - A National Credit Union Foundation Program

By developing a credit union branch inside a thrift store that is operated by people with disabilities, FinancialEdge Community Credit Union in Bay City, Mich. is hoping to better reach the low-income people who live in the Bay City area. FinancialEdge’s project is supported by grants from the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) and the Michigan Credit Union Foundation.

Last July, FinancialEdge opened a branch inside the main facility of Do-All Inc., a Bay City company that helps people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. While this branch, known as “Do-$ave,” is just for Do-All trainees, for the second phase of the project, FinancialEdge is partnering with Do-All to open a branch inside one of its retail thrift stores that will be staffed by Do-All trainees. The new branch celebrated a special groundbreaking ceremony last week.

“Being able to partner with our member SEG for the benefit of both our organizations and at the same time support an organization that helps individuals with disabilities is very rewarding,” said Jeremy Coberley, President/CEO of FinancialEdge.

“What FinancialEdge is doing in their community is a great example of partnership and the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people,’” said Lois Kitsch, NCUF’s National Program Director.

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