HomeTown Credit Union and the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation are proud to recognize Kim Westphal with a Credit Union Builder Award. The Credit Union Builder Award honors an individual’s dedication to the success, growth, and vitality of the not-for-profit financial movement in Minnesota. 

Kim Westphal has dedicated her career to HomeTown Credit Union, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to its growth and success. Starting as a teller while attending college, she quickly realized her passion for the credit union movement and steadily advanced through various leadership roles.
​Kim has overseen remarkable expansion, guiding HomeTown from two branches serving select employee groups to four branches serving community members across 26 counties.

She has played a pivotal role in strengthening HomeTown’s foundation, from implementing innovative lending programs to launching Minnesota’s first high-school based student-run branch. Her leadership has not only ensured financial stability but also fostered a culture of service and excellence within the credit union.

Kim’s impact extends far beyond the walls of HomeTown Credit Union. She has been a driving force behind numerous strategic initiatives that have shaped the credit union’s future, including major system conversions, branch expansions, and the founding of HomeTown Insurance Professionals. She has also been a champion of financial education, leading efforts that earned HomeTown recognition for its outreach and community support. Her involvement with credit union advocates, such as the Minnesota Credit Union Network, its Hiawatha Chapter, and the Governmental Affairs Conference, reflects her dedication to advancing the credit union movement. Through mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy, Kim has helped shape policies and best practices that benefit credit unions across the state.

Over 100 individuals have been designated as Credit Union Builders since the award's inception. The names of the recipients and the contributing credit unions are permanently displayed in the Minnesota Credit Union Network’s lobby as a tribute to those who have dedicated time and energy to building the credit union movement.

​With questions, contact Andrea Molnau, Executive Director of the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation.

As the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee begins to draft the tax bill, we need your voice. The taxation issue impacts ALL credit unions, regardless of asset size. Credit unions remain unique because of their structure and mission, not their assets.

​Credit Unions need to take action now. First, reach out to your legislators by responding to our GREAT alert: Let them know why credit unions matter and how this tax exemption helps real people every day.

Second - engage your members. This isn’t a conversation we should shy away from. In our most recent consumer poll, 79% of Minnesota consumers indicated they supported the Credit Union Tax exemption because of our not-for-profit status. Leverage the toolkit (login required) we’ve created to engage your teams and your members.

Mary Matheson, President & CEO of Wakota FCU, and Caitlin Brama, Farm Credit Employees FCU share why it is important for credit unions to be involved in advocacy.

GREAT (Highest Number of GREAT Members) – Mid Minnesota FCU​
GREAT (Highest Percentage of GREAT Members) – Mid Minnesota FCU
Highest Total Contributions Credit Union to Capital Club -Wings CU 
Payroll Deduction (Highest Total Contribution) –City & County CU
Payroll Deduction (Highest Percentage Participating) – United Employees CU
Payroll Deduction (Highest Number of Employees Contributing) – Minnco CU
​Highest Total Contributions from a Chapter for 2024 – Twin Cities Chapter of Credit Unions

This week we thank Randi Sundsmo, the dedicated Executive Assistant at the Minnesota Credit Union Network, for her service as she starts a new role.

​Since joining us in 2022, Randi has been an invaluable member of our team, bringing her exceptional organizational skills and positive energy to every task. Her contributions have significantly enhanced our operations and fostered a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Randi's departure marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career as she transitions to a role at a credit union. While we will miss her presence and the unique spark she brought to our team, we are thrilled for her as she embarks on this new journey.

​As we say goodbye for now, we extend our deepest gratitude to Randi for her hard work and dedication over the past few years. Good luck, Randi, and thank you for everything!

The Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) teaches credit union staff how to counsel members so they can budget better, smartly save, pay down debt and plan for the future. Obtaining the training and associated credentials allows your credit union to differentiate itself from other financial institutions and be more confident in helping members build a stronger financial future.

The deadline to register is May 9, 2025.

The cohort-style training consists of 8 tutorial webinars, exam preparation, proctored exam, and program development training - taking place between June through September, 2025. Upon completion, participants will receive the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation. Registration fees are per person and include all webinars, electronic format book (PDF), practice quizzes, a proctored exam, and the in-person workshop. 

Grant opportunities are available to assist with program cost. For the complete schedule visit Enchanced FiCEP Program | Minnesota Credit Union Foundation | mncun.org.

Please reach out to Andrea Molnau with questions.

The Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) celebrated a landmark event signifying a century of service and community impact for Minnesota Credit Unions, the ACCELERATE 25 Conference. Packed with engaging guest speakers, educational sessions, and networking, it was the state’s largest trade show with professional development opportunities for credit union board members and employees. The last three days included speeches from elected officials, credit union leadership, and statewide financial experts. 

​Congressman Brad Finstad joined the conference as a strong supporter and member of a credit union. Congressman Finstad reflected on the community-based model under which credit unions operate, emphasizing “you’re in our communities, you’re a part of our communities, you understand the communities that you serve, and the value that you provide is great.”

​Congressman Finstad mentioned that for this reason and others, his family is proud to be a member of their local credit union. 

MnCUN is excited to share the launch of two services it is providing: CU Law Partners, affordable and expert legal representation to meet the demands of credit unions, and TruLync Medicare Advisors, a service to help members navigate Medicare and save on their annual premiums. 

Also, during the business meeting, the results of the 2025 MnCUN Board of Directors were announced. Aaron DeJong, Red Wing Credit Union, and Dana Garrett, North Memorial Federal Credit Union, were re-elected and Trina Hoff, Northern Communities Credit Union, was elected to a full term after being appointed to fill the remainder of Deb Almirall's term after she retired.

​Finally, the conference celebrated 100 years of credit unions in Minnesota with a 1925-themed anniversary party. Attendees sported their finest roaring 20’s themed outfits and celebrated a century of the credit union advantage in Minnesota. 

MnCUN is proud to officially launch High Yield Pale Ale, a special collaboration between the Minnesota Credit Union Network and Broken Clock Cooperative Brewing. This limited-edition craft beer was brewed right here in Minnesota, in honor of a century of people helping people.

​A cooperative brewing with a cooperative to celebrate a century of people helping people. We think that’s pretty poetic... and pretty tasty.

​Even better? Broken Clock is donating a portion of proceeds from High Yield sales to support the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation and financial literacy efforts statewide. So, every pint poured helps move our mission forward.

You’ll soon be able to bring High Yield Pale Ale to your own credit union gatherings, community events, or simply enjoy it with members who want to toast to the credit union difference.

​Interested in how to get High Yield Pale Ale in your hands—or on your tap list? Connect with Broken Clock Cooperative Brewing to learn more about distribution and availability. And watch the Pulse for additional details in the coming weeks!

The Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) proudly presented the Outstanding Credit Union Professional of the Year and Director of the Year at a ceremony held during the MnCUN ACCELERATE 25 Conference on April 22 at the Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, Minn. These two awards highlight leaders who pioneer and embody what it means to put first the community and financial well-being of Minnesotans. 

​His expertise and dedication to credit unions has been on full display since he took the helm at THFCU. In 2012, THFCU was struggling with little community visibility. Randy oversaw a complete transformation, with Two Harbors Federal Credit Union becoming a flourishing member of our network, serving its members, supporting its community, and contributing to credit unions statewide.  

After receiving his award, Randy reflected on the work credit unions do, saying: "People helping people is not just a slogan -- its really what we do."

​Under Daryl’s direction, the credit union has grown from 4,500 members and $18 million in assets to 9,500 members and $190 million in assets today. For 32 years, Daryl has provided steady, consistent governance, with a practical, member-centered vision for how our credit union functions. 

In accepting his award, Daryl kept the focus on credit union members, emphasizing: "Credit unions big, small and in between, let's remember the main thing, taking care of our members, one at a time."

​"We are proud to honor these great leaders, who have spent their careers contributing to Minnesota's credit unions and their members," Mara Humphrey, MnCUN President and CEO.