Build and Save

With a history of almost 70 years, Clearwater Credit Union is the second largest credit union in Montana, serving more than 64,000 members and focusing on bringing affordable and accessible financial services to all Montanans.  

Currently, Clearwater is looking to expand on their already established matched savings program. Participants will receive a 1:1 match up to $1,000 after the end of the 6-month savings period. At the end of the savings period, the matched amount will be rolled into a 6-month Certificate of Deposit. Participants are also required to utilize Pathways with Clearwater’s certified financial counselors 3-6 times throughout the savings period.  

For the past 30 years, HOPE, a Black-and women-controlled community development credit union has increased economic mobility for hundreds living in the Deep South. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, from a desire to foster asset development, cooperation, and self-empowerment among low-income residents, HOPE now serves communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. HOPE paves the way to success by providing access to financial education and financial tools.

HOPE is rolling out a matched savings program across its five-state footprint. Over a six-month period, participants, who must be members, that successfully complete three required GreenPath Financial education training modules, will receive a 1:1 match on deposits with a maximum match contribution of $500. At the end of the program, participants may use the funds at their discretion. 

Founded in 2000 in North Carolina, Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU) emerged from several Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and local community groups, to provide a safe space for Latinos to build wealth and to access affordable financial services.

In 2024, LCCU successfully developed and led two rounds of a savings match program. LCCU will continue this program, where participants must save between $250 and $750 within two months to receive a 1:1 match, which is then all rolled over into a six-month Certificate of Deposit.  LCCU will continue to offer the matched savings program to future graduates of the upcoming Fall 2025/Spring 2026 financial education program.

MECU (pronounced “Me-q”) Credit Union was originally known as the Municipal Employees Credit Union. Initially, MECU only served Baltimore City employees such as teachers, firefighters, and construction workers. Fast-forward to today, MECU Credit Union now serves close to 100,000 members, made up of individuals and local businesses throughout the Baltimore area.

MECU empowers members with free financial education, support, and advice to achieve a brighter financial future. Utilizing Pathways via Neighborhood Trust, MECU is offering a match savings program to new and existing membership. Participating members must enroll in the levelUp Financial Empowerment Program and complete six, 1-on-1 financial coaching and advising sessions. With the goal of helping individuals and families build financial stability through consistent saving, for every dollar deposited, MECU is matching 1:1, with a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $500 over a 6-month period. 

Mutual Security Credit Union (MSCU) is deeply committed to fostering financial equity and well-being for all members in Connecticut’s Litchfield, New Haven, and Fairfield counties. In recognition of the power of financial education and inclusive access to financial services as essential pillars of economic empowerment, MSCU launched their Financial Independence Training (FIT) program, that serves as the cornerstone of their community impact.  

The FIT program provides participants with critical financial literacy resources, personalized 1-on-1 coaching, and access to financial empowerment workshops designed to serve underserved communities and non-profit partners. MSCU is offering a 1:1 match on savings accumulated over a six-month period, with a minimum requirement of $250, and up to a maximum of $1,500, to provide individuals with the resources and incentives to build sustainable financial habits and achieve their short and long-term goals. 

As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, St. Louis Community Credit Union (SLCCU) is owned by its nearly 60,000 account holders, the majority of whom are African American. With all the convenience of a big financial institution, but with the heart of a locally owned credit union, SLCCU fosters an inclusive approach to banking where all are welcome and have access to tools to help them thrive.

Through a multi-pronged approach, including Prize-Linked Savings and Individual Development Account matching, St. Louis Community Credit Union is leading wealth building efforts for low-income and economically marginalized populations. 

Unitus has been a part of the Oregon community since 1937, when a group of Pacific Telephone and Telegraph employees pooled their resources to provide affordable loans to their co-workers. Today, Unitus serves 15 counties in Oregon and Washington state with a commitment to innovation, inclusiveness, and providing inspirational service.

Unitus’ Match Savings Program is designed to encourage and empower members to achieve their savings goals through engagement with a financial coach and financial education classes. Over six months, program participants, who must be members or become one, will be required to save between $250 and $1,000 to receive a 3:1 match.  

1st Bergen Federal Credit Union serves people and organizations who live, work, worship, volunteer, attend school, or conduct business in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. By employing a program model that ensures accountability to the community through active listening and a strong feedback loop, 1st Bergen offers products specifically designed to meet the needs of low-income and credit-challenged individuals.

The Future Dream Education Savings Account, 1st Bergen’s foundational match savings program, is offered in tandem with financial coaching, and provides households an opportunity to save money for their children’s education expenses. The program offers a 1:1 match of up to $400 and has revealed the powerful impact that even modest matched savings can have in shifting members’ mindsets from crisis management to long-term goal setting.

Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union (CPOECU) has been servicing Postal workers and their families for over 96 years. Through a variety of services, including savings accounts, loans, mobile banking, and retirement planning, CPOECU is supporting the financial empowerment and success of its 5,000 members.

In early 2024, CPOECU launched Project Uplift, a two-year financial education initiative designed to support young women transitioning out of the foster care system. Participants opened matched savings accounts and attended training courses such as understanding credit, budgeting and savings, goal setting, ‘how to purchase a car’, apartment hunting, and the importance of giving back. Participants also receive mentorship and other resources needed to thrive independently. The program offers a six-month, 1:1 matched savings.

Founded in 1952 in San Jose, California by the employees of the General Electric Motor Division, Excite Credit Union serves members in six counties in Northern California. In 1969, when General Electric relocated to Southeastern North Carolina, three counties were added to Excite’s network.

Excite will partner with nonprofit organizations in both states to identify current or potential members of their programs. For six consecutive months, Excite will match $50 every month a member deposits $50 or more. Members who go “6 for 6” will receive an additional $175 bonus deposit. They can also earn a $25 bonus by attending a financial education class during the program period. In total, participants can earn up to $500 in matched savings over six months.

Founded in 1938, Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) was established to provide civil servants with access to competitive borrowing and savings rates. Guided by the principle, “put people before profit,” GCLU has grown to over 115,000 members in Chicagoland, Central Illinois, and Western Indiana.

GLCU, through its 501(c)(3), GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment, will work with low- to moderate-income members with limited assets to help them save toward a specific goal in one of four categories; education (certification/training), housing (down payment/deposit for new housing), small business (development costs, i.e. consultation or business-related fees), or vehicle.    

Greylock Federal Credit Union is a CDFI delivering tailored products and services that address the financial challenges faced by low-income and historically underserved communities in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas. With the rising costs of living and housing, a key strategic goal of Greylock is to expand access to affordable home ownership.

Over the last two years, Greylock, in partnership with two community organizations, has offered, SURGE (Saving Up Resources for Growth and Empowerment), a match savings program to assist members with funds that can be applied to mortgage closing costs and/or the purchase price, to reduce the size of the mortgage. The program requires mandatory coaching sessions and attendance in financial wellness classes to qualify for a 2:1 match up to $5,000.  

Holy Rosary Credit Union began in 1962 in the heart of Holy Rosary Parish as a source of financial support for the hardworking French-Canadian community in Rochester, New Hampshire. Built on the simple idea of neighbors helping neighbors, today, Holy Rosary is a certified CDFI, MDI, Low-Income, Juntos Avanzamos credit union serving almost 8,000 members. Rooted in the founders’ firsthand experience, Holy Rosay is acutely aware of the scarcity of developmental capital available to immigrants and people of color.

Holy Rosary has designed a match savings program to promote sustainable homeownership among low-income and minority households in the Kansas City metropolitan area and St. Joseph, Missouri. The goal of the 12-month, 3:1 match program is to enable members to build equity and financial security through homeownership.  

Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union, based in Petersburg, Virigina, serves “to be THE resource that strengthens and rebuilds our communities by empowering our members to achieve their financial dreams.” Taking a holistic approach to address the economic distress of their communities, Peoples Advantage provides products and services that include education, job opportunities that create financial independence, and access to affordable housing.

To grow their auto loan portfolio and make transportation more affordable and accessible, Peoples Advantage is offering a match savings program that aligns with their existing Reliable Rides Program. The Reliable Rides Program is a unique partnership with local dealerships that offers affordable and reliable transportation to members who meet specific affordability requirements and complete a financial and auto maintenance workshop. Whether a member is ready to purchase a car today or saving toward a future purchase, those who save six consecutive months will receive a 2:1 match.

Founded in 1923 by a small group of City of Milwaukee employees, Prime Financial Credit Union was the first-ever credit union established in the State of Wisconsin. Now a CDFI certified, low-income designated, Juntos Avanzamos community-chartered credit union; Prime Financial serves over 16,500 members across the city of Milwaukee and the greater Milwaukee area through personalized and innovative financial solutions.

Prime Financial Credit Union is offering members residing in Milwaukee County match savings for credit repair or a down payment to purchase their first car or home. Participants who save $60 per month for 10 months receive a 3:1 match. Individuals who complete the program, which includes attending a minimum of four financial coaching sessions, will save $600 and be matched $1,800.  

Southwest Louisiana Credit Union is fulfilling its mission to ensure members of all walks of life have access to capital or financing by offering products such as small dollar unsecured loans, first-time homebuyer programs, microbusiness lending, educational scholarships, and matched savings grants.  

The two match savings opportunities that Southwest Louisiana offers are Hand Up to Homeownership and Greaux Your Business. Both offer a certified financial counselor who guides participants through a series of financial education classes related to either home buying or building and maintaining a business. Concurrently, counselors are creating a plan for members to save $1,000 over a period of 90 days. Once completed, Southwest Louisiana matches their saved funds 5:1 to create a total of $6,000.  

Founded in 1951 as a better alternative to banks, Travis Credit Union (TCU) has been steadfastly focused on providing value to their members. To amplify their financial empowerment network and provide another way for credit union members to participate in the impact created to improve financial wellness, TCU established a 501 (c)3 non-profit foundation, the Travis Credit Union Foundation (TCUF).

TCUF’s financial coaching grant program embeds a network of financial coaches within the operations of partnering non-profit organizations to improve community access to financial wellness resources. Since establishing the program in 2024, financial coaches have onboarded 103 clients who will be eligible for the savings match. Beneficiaries will be expected to save $300 over a 6-month period, resulting in a total of $600 in savings account deposits at the end of the term.

In 1973, a small group of USC Facilities Maintenance Service (FMS) employees organized USC Credit Union. Today, USCCU membership is open to USC alumni and anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends classes in Los Angeles, and is recognized as the nation’s largest credit union originator of student loans.

USCCU’s targeted 1:1 match savings program is designed to increase financial stability and banking inclusivity among low-income individuals in Los Angeles County. The program centers on financial education, community partnership, and incentivized savings, delivered through a strategic combination of digital and in-branch support mechanisms and is open to new members. Participants will be referred through trusted community partners and be required to complete at least one financial education module prior to enrollment in the match savings program.

With a history of almost 70 years, Clearwater Credit Union is the second largest credit union in Montana, serving more than 64,000 members and focusing on bringing affordable and accessible financial services to all Montanans.  

Currently, Clearwater is looking to expand on their already established matched savings program. Participants will receive a 1:1 match up to $1,000 after the end of the 6-month savings period. At the end of the savings period, the matched amount will be rolled into a 6-month Certificate of Deposit. Participants are also required to utilize Pathways with Clearwater’s certified financial counselors 3-6 times throughout the savings period.  

Founded by local organizers and activists in 1982, Cooperative Federal (CoopFed) serves over 3,600 members in Syracuse, NY.  

Members in CoopFed’s Matched Savings Program will set a savings goal between $500 to $1000 over the course of a savings term of 6 months towards an approved Asset Goal: Homeownership, Small Business, or Vehicle Ownership; and receive a 1:4 match. To qualify for the program, members must complete financial empowerment activities related to their Asset Goals.  

With over 90 years of experience, Express CU serves anyone living and working in Washington State, with a focus on underserved communities in the Puget Sound region.  

Express CU will implement a Vehicle Ownership Program, a matched savings initiative designed to support low-income individuals to purchase a new or used vehicle to support access to opportunity. Participants will be required to work with a financial counselor and will be eligible for either a 1:1 or a 1:5 match to support their purchase, up to a maximum of $5,000 dollars in matched funds. 

Established in 1955, FirstLight Federal CU serves the Borderplex region, which includes El Paso County, Texas, Fort Bliss, Texas, Dona Ana County, New Mexico, and Juarez, Mexico.  

The existing FirstLight HomeMatch Program empowers low- to moderate-income households to achieve the dream of owning a home. This program combines a six-part financial education series with a 1:5 matched savings structure. Once a participant reaches their savings goal of up to $1,000 and is ready to close on a home, FirstLight’s foundation provides a 1:5 match, depositing up to $5,000 directly into the participant’s IDA before closing. 

Founded in 2000 in North Carolina, Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU) emerged from several Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and local community groups, to provide a safe space for Latinos to build wealth and to access affordable financial services.

In 2024, LCCU successfully developed and led 2 rounds of a savings match program. LCCU will continue this program, where participants must save between $250 and $750 within 2 months to receive a 1:1 match, which is then all rolled over into a 6-month Certificate of Deposit.  LCCU will continue to offer the matched savings program to future graduates of the upcoming Fall 2025/Spring 2026 financial education program. 

MariSol Federal Credit Union (MFCU) was established in 1954 and is primarily situated in the Phoenix, Arizona region.  

MFCU’s small “emergency” savings account program will promote savings to cover expenses such as increases in energy costs, rent, car repairs, and childcare. Participants will be required to save $400.00 to receive a 1:1 match. They will also be required to attend financial education classes offered by GreenPath.  

A 90-year-old institution, Members Credit Union (MCU) serves over 4,000 members in Fairfield County, Connecticut.  

MCU’s Save and Prosper program will equip high school students with real-world financial skills. MCU will partner with CT Financial Scholars and Stamford High School to pilot the program with the students enrolled in Personal Finance classes during the school year. MCU will provide a 1:1 match and students must save between $100 and $400 to receive a full match. 

Founded in 1936, Members First Credit Union (M1) serves over 66,000 members within any county in Michigan.  

The M1 Matched Savings program will deliver financial coaching and matched savings to support the financial security of members and their households. Participants who complete a private one-hour financial coaching session and meet the emergency savings requirement will qualify for a 1:1 match of up to $400 to improve their financial well-being. 

Founded in 1964 as a credit union for federal workers, NuVista Federal Credit Union now serves about 7,100 members across Western Colorado.

In partnership with CASA, NuVista will offer 55 DREAM Access Share Certificate Accounts with a 1:2 match of up to $400 for each account. The DREAM Access Account is a 12-month Share Certificate that allows for additional deposits during the entire term. CASA tenants will be required to attend three in-person financial education classes to obtain the match.

Founded in 1996, Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union (TUFCU) serves over 4,300 members, the majority of whom come from low- to moderate-income households, who live, work, worship, or attend school in Toledo’s central neighborhoods.  

The Save to Rise program will combine regular savings deposits with structured financial empowerment education, including monthly one-on-one coaching, workshops, and progress check-ins. Participants will contribute up to $500 over a 9-month savings period, which TUFCU will match at a 1:2 ratio, providing a maximum match of $1,000 per participant. 

Founded in 1963 by teachers and public workers, Tongass Federal Credit Union (TFCU) serves over 14,000 members throughout Southeast Alaska.  

TFCU will launch a Matched Savings Program for Down Payment Assistance to address Southeast Alaska’s housing affordability challenges. This program will help low-income households save for a down payment. With a 1:2 match, members saving up to $5,000 can receive up to $10,000 toward their down payment. However, to receive the match, members must complete one online or in-person financial education event.  

Established in 1955 in Tucson, Vantage West (VWCU) has since expanded its field of membership to other parts of Arizona, serving over 200,000 members.  

VWCU will augment its existing partnership with Earn to Learn,  providing low-income and rural students the opportunity to build financial stability. Under the program, each student will save $250 and receive a $250 match. Students also receive a $4,000 Earn to Learn Scholarship and a $200 Vantage West coaching incentive after four coaching appointments. This $4,700 in savings and incentives per student will result in $940,000 in asset-building and financial capability for 200 students.  

Established in 1957 to improve the financial well-being of public employees in Washington State, Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) serves more than 300,000 members.  

WSECU’s Workforce Financial Wellness & Housing Access Program will pair credit-building tools with direct savings incentives. Participants commit to save at least $250, matched dollar-for-dollar. After that, participants will open a credit card or share-secured installment loan, helping them build or repair their credit while saving. Participants will also receive financial counseling and education to reinforce savings habits and support long-term housing stability.