Desjardins Award Presented to UECU

September 16, 2011

DESJARDINS YOUTH FINANCIAL EDUCATION AWARD PRESENTED TO UNITED EDUCATORS CREDIT UNION

Apple Valley, Minn. – United Educators Credit Union (UECU) received the Minnesota Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award, presented by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN), in recognition of its efforts to provide financial literacy education. UECU was recognized among credit unions with $50-$150 million dollars in assets for their youth accounts program, classroom financial education resources, community school partnerships and National Credit Union Youth Week school partnership collaboration. The credit union has advanced to the national Desjardin competition.

"Financial literacy education is extremely important at UECU. Our youth programs are provided to teach the importance of saving, along with the practical aspect of handling money," said Del Danielson, credit union president and CEO. "We are honored to be recognized with such a prestigious award for our efforts, and look forward to continuing using our talents and resources to heighten financial awareness among youth."

UECU offers youth savings account programs to member's ages 0 to 20 years old that introduce financial education through newsletters and online information. The credit union has also partnered with three schools in the metro area - Normandale Hills Elementary (Bloomington), Woodbury Middle School, and Eastview High School (Apple Valley) - to promote financial education to students through classroom presentations, branch visits, and "credit union days". Every year, special emphasis is placed on National Credit Union Youth Week, which incorporates a money theme and puts the spotlight on young people and saving.

This year's National Credit Union Youth Week theme was Money Rock$ at My Credit Union. The Normandale Hills music teacher, Jeff Zupfer, went 'above and beyond' by creating a Money Rock$ jingle that was played daily on school announcements. Students were also encouraged to create ways to support this theme utilizing the jingle. National Credit Union Youth Week 2011 was determined to be one of the most successful. Nearly 1000 students were reached in efforts to share the message about financial literacy, and was a huge factor in UECU receiving the Desjardins Award.

The Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award recognizes leadership within the credit union industry on behalf of youth financial literacy. It considers all activities supporting the personal finance education of young members and nonmembers, and is sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

United Educators Credit Union was established in 1957 and is a member-owned, member-operated, not-for-profit financial institution, providing financial services to the Minnesota education community, their families, and those who support education by being a part of the United Educators Foundation. United Educators Credit Union offers a full line of financial services, and currently operates branch locations in Apple Valley, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie and Woodbury.