Best Credit Unions to Work For with more than $1B of assets

September 1, 2023 12:13 PM

The top five credit unions in the ranking have an average of $3.72 billion of assets. The average number of employees at the top five was 580.

Scroll through to find out more about the credit unions in the top 29.

For additional Best Credit Unions to Work For coverage:

Largest credit union-bank deal of 2023 happened in New Mexico

Pictured: Employees celebrate the grand opening of a branch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

29. Nusenda Credit Union

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Assets: $4.1 billion

President and CEO: Joe Christian

No. of employees: 738

Interesting fact: Talent shortages are a major issue facing the financial services industry, so executives at Nusenda invested roughly 18,000 hours in employee development and provided $138,000 in tuition reimbursement last year to empower staff members at all stages of their careers.

Unusual perk: Employees volunteered more than 1,300 hours of their time to charitable causes in 2022 through the credit union's Adopt-a-Cause program. Campaigns ranged from natural disasters to the arts.

An employee spends a day volunteering with the Humane Society.

28. Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union

Columbia, South Carolina
Assets: $1.3 billion
President and CEO: Robert Dozier Jr.
No. of employees: 303

Interesting fact: Palmetto Citizens formed an internal DEI committee led by staff members from throughout the organization to ensure a diverse workforce.

Unusual perk: Staff on the credit union's lending team who go above and beyond to promote protection plans on loans are recognized annually as part of the Million Plus Club. Winners receive $500 in prizes and gifts.

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Pictured: Branch employees celebrate Black History Month.

27. Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union

Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
Assets: $1.8 billion
President and CEO: Michael Magnavita
No. of employees: 321

Interesting fact: FMFCU helps financially support educational efforts in its local communities through tailored scholarship programs for high school seniors, mini teaching grants and awards for 20 outstanding instructors.

Unusual perk: The credit union hosts a "Zoom attire day" where employees can dress up in outfits that blend business professional and casual elements together.

Pictured: A Golden 1 branch employee helps a member with her financial needs.

26. Golden 1 Credit Union

Sacramento, California
Assets: $20.5 billion
President and CEO: Donna Bland
No. of employees: 2,165

Interesting fact: After facing difficulties in recruiting talent experienced in risk management, business services and information technology, executives at Golden 1 revised past job descriptions, pay scales, benefits and the new hire process to better attract and retain staff. It has also invested in ongoing training for its talent acquisition employees to ensure that the institution stays up to date with the latest recruitment trends.

Unusual perk: Employee stories from all walks of life are highlighted via the credit union's internal podcast "In Our Own Words." Each month, the theme shifts to reflect inclusive topics such as Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, Native American Heritage Month and others.

Pictured: Through the credit union's Holiday Hookups 2022 program, employees receive a special gift of something that they have always wanted to spoil themselves or loved ones.

25. Altura Credit Union

Riverside, California
Assets: $2.5 billion
CEO: Jennifer Binkley-Heiting
No. of employees: 457

Interesting fact: To better promote the message of DEI across the organization, Altura encourages employees to share their unique experiences as part of its "Your Story" series. Discussions are professionally filmed and shared throughout the credit union.

Unusual perk: Those who have worked for the credit union for at least 12 months full time are eligible to apply for an employee mortgage loan with a low interest rate that's set by the Internal Revenue Service.

Pictured: The business development department volunteers at the Samaritan Center in Syracuse, New York.

24. Empower Federal Credit Union

Syracuse, New York
Assets: $3.2 billion
President and CEO: Ryan McIntyre
No. of employees: 616

Interesting fact: Empower partners with the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America to provide women and minority professionals with access to training, education and professional development services.

Unusual perk: Entry-level staff members can register for trainings in areas such as new accounts, financial counseling and loans as part of the credit union's self-directed career pathing. Automatic raises and promotions are awarded along the journey.

Pictured: Employees participate in a summer softball leagues.

23. Cyprus Federal Credit Union

West Jordan, Utah
Assets: $1.7 billion
CEO: Todd Adamson
No. of employees: 454

Interesting fact: Cyprus established dedicated committees for DEI and eco-friendly practices to ensure the credit union makes actionable progress toward set goals while fostering a more inclusive work environment.

Unusual perk: Employees are rewarded with extra paid-time off for volunteering with local food banks and other charitable organizations.

Pictured: Employees have fun during a summer event.

22. Blue Federal Credit Union

Cheyenne, Wyoming
Assets: $1.8 billion
CEO: Stephanie Teubner
No. of employees: 331

Interesting fact: Blue Federal Credit Union honors community members who commit acts of kindness with no expectation of reward by featuring their deeds through partnerships with local television stations and broadcasted awareness campaigns.

Unusual perk: Employees are given a wide range of paid-time off opportunities ranging from volunteer and mental health days to birthdays.

Pictured: Staff members and their families enjoy the credit union's annual employee picnic at its headquarters. The event is complete with bingo, prizes, crafts, live music, a petting zoo and plenty of food await attendees. The alpacas were a particular hit this year.

21. Ascend Federal Credit Union

Tullahoma, Tennessee
Assets: $4.1 billion
President and CEO: Matt Jernigan
No. of employees: 624

Interesting fact: Through implementing a widespread staff feedback program, the credit union was able to better understand the training needs of employees across the organization to achieve a 46% internal promotion rate.

Unusual perk: Employees can combine the credit union's tuition reimbursement program with an 18% tuition discount through Ascend's partnership with Middle Tennessee State University to maximize cost savings for furthering their education.

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Pictured: Chartway makes a donation to the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughter in July.

Joemmel Ray Tendilla

20. Chartway Federal Credit Union

Virginia Beach, Virginia
Assets: $2.6 billion
President and CEO: Brian Schools
No. of employees: 549

Interesting fact: The credit union's charitable division, the Chartway Promise Foundation, has raised more than $14 million for medically compromised children and their families.

Unusual perk: Chartway Federal Credit Union's wellness program features a reimbursement for team members navigating the pet adoption process as well as a $240 credit for purchasing at-home fitness equipment or gym memberships.

Pictured: Notre Dame FCU employees, from left to right, Amanda Giroux, Randy Kaufman and Ricardo Bolivar attend the Arizona Home Show.

19. Notre Dame Federal Credit Union

Notre Dame, Indiana
Assets: $1.2 billion
President and CEO: Thomas Gryp
No. of employees: 247

Interesting fact: Notre Dame FCU has consistently increased its minimum wage by $1 each year since 2021. Hourly employees now earn $18 per hour.

Unusual perk: All employees have access to a free healthcare concierge service, regardless if they utilize the credit union's health insurance plan. The service offers bill review, telehealth visits and recommendations to local health care providers based on quality and cost.

Pictured: Employees from the credit union's contact center and its branches enjoy a picnic.

18. Arkansas Federal Credit Union

Little Rock, Arkansas
Assets: $2.2 billion
President and CEO: Rodney Showmar
No. of employees: 405

Interesting fact: Arkansas Federal is paying for 100% of the cost of basic health, dental and vision family coverage for 2023.

Unusual perk: Employees have up to 48 hours of time off per year that they can use for community involvement and volunteer opportunities.

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Pictured: Those who served on the adopt-a-family committee pose with the gifts collected for the charitable effort.

17. American Heritage Credit Union

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Assets: $4.6 billion
President and CEO: Bruce Foulke
No. of employees: 604

Interesting fact: Bruce Foulke, president and CEO of American Heritage Credit Union, highly values assisting those in need. He has been at the helm of initiatives ranging from the 1996 establishment of the Kids-N-Hope Foundation for children who are receiving specialized care at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to personally visiting war-torn Ukraine with supplies and financial aid.

Unusual perk: American Heritage empowers employees seeking to further their education by partnering with accredited colleges and universities for discounted tuition rates, while hosting professional certification programs through the Credit Union National Association.

Pictured: Employees from the member contact center have fun during a celebration.

16. Credit Union West

Glendale, Arizona
Assets: $1.1 billion
President and CEO: Karen Roch
No. of employees: 194

Interesting fact: Executives recognize the achievements of each staff member through Credit Union West's annual employee rally day, closing offices and organizing team-building competitions, participating in charity events and more.

Unusual perk: The credit union offers employees free access to its onsite wellness center stocked with gym equipment as well as participation in creative wellness challenges. The benefits are extended to family members as well.

Pictured: A team of employees visited Junior Achievement Finance Park to provide grade-school students with a financial education program.

15. Apple Federal Credit Union

Fairfax, Virginia
Assets: $4.2 billion
President and CEO: Andy Grimm
No. of employees: 528

Interesting fact: The credit union created a three-tiered leadership development program to support managers by strengthening their skill sets. The first tier focuses on management basics, the second tier focuses on becoming an effective coach and the third tier is on strategic leadership.

Unusual perk: Apple Federal Credit Union established a wellness committee to promote employee health through challenges surrounding dietary changes, physical activity and more.

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Pictured: Employee volunteer at the 50th annual Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run held in Washington, D.C.

14. Northwest Federal Credit Union

Herndon, Virginia
Assets: $4.8 billion
President and CEO: Jeff Bentley
No. of employees: 541

Interesting fact: Northwest Federal Credit Union utilizes a program called Career Tracks to define employee career paths and identify opportunities for upward mobility across all positions within the organization.

Unusual perk: The credit union's executive team provides each employee with a $100 bill during the holiday season, with the condition that they must give it to someone most in need.

Pictured: Coastal's vice presidents and community impact team volunteer at the local food bank. The credit union has a goal of 10,000 volunteer hours for 2023.

13. Coastal Credit Union

Raleigh, North Carolina
Assets: $4.7 billion
President and CEO: Tyler Grodi
No. of employees: 642

Interesting fact: The company uses Standout, a web-based platform that assists in employees identifying their strengths, to help managers allocate work toward staff most skilled in that area.

Unusual perk: Through its two-day Camp Coastal workshop, employees learn about the principles and philosophies of the credit union movement while being tasked with a number of exercises on empathy and seeing things through a member's eyes.

Pictured: Employees volunteer during the United Way Day of Caring. The credit union gives employees paid-time off to support causes they care about as one of its benefits.

12. Veridian Credit Union

Waterloo, Iowa
Assets: $6.96 billion
President and CEO: Renee Christoffer
No. of employees: 929

Interesting fact: Employees have access to a range of benefits that include a wellness program that pays up to 100% of health insurance premiums, paid volunteer time and a customizable leadership development program.

Unusual perk: In celebration of International Credit Union Day, Veridian allocates a set amount of funding to each team for completing acts of kindness throughout local communities.

Pictured: Employees enjoy a wiffle ball tournament during a team appreciation day.

11. Michigan First Credit Union

Lathrup Village, Michigan
Assets: $1.5 billion
President and CEO: Jennifer Borowy
No. of employees: 494

Interesting fact: Each morning before the start of the work day, staff members engage in standup sessions for recognizing achievements and anniversaries as well as recite the institution's 47-word promise to help members.

Unusual perk: To help employees unwind, Michigan First Credit Union built an onsite fitness center that's open 24 hours a day seven days a week in addition to a bowling alley.

Pictured: Employees of Consumers Credit Union

10. Consumers Credit Union

Kalamazoo, Michigan
Assets: $1.8 billion
President and CEO: Scott Sylvester
No. of employees: 419

Interesting fact: Employees have the opportunity to develop new skills outside of their current position through internships, job shadowing and participating in other projects.

Unusual perk: Consumers encourages employees to take care of their personal well-being through annual biometric screenings, telehealth physician services, onsite fitness classes and a $550 per year wellness reimbursement.

Pictured: Employees of MAX Credit Union receive an award from the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the organization as the Small Business of the Year in the Large Business Category

9. MAX Credit Union

Montgomery, Alabama
Assets: $2 billion
President and CEO: Martin Head
No. of employees: 303

Interesting fact: MAX celebrates various pop culture holidays, such as "Random Acts of Kindness Week" and "Volunteerism Appreciation Week."

Unusual perk: Military associates receive 10 days paid-time off to attend annual training.

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Pictured: Employees participating in a Back to School Backpack Stuffing Campaign for the Salvation Army

8. America First Credit Union

Riverdale, Utah
Assets: $18 billion
President and CEO: Thayne Shaffer
No. of employees: 3,258

Interesting fact: Every year, senior management comes together to wrap and gift shoes for children in need.

Unusual perk: America First offers biannual bonus packages.

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Pictured: Employees donned custom jerseys on the field at the Michigan Stadium for the credit union's annual Success Celebration

7. University of Michigan Credit Union

Ann Arbor, Michigan
Assets: $1.3 billion
President and CEO: Tiffany Ford
No. of employees: 202

Interesting fact: Through its wellness program, the credit union offers onsite classes in areas like yoga, meditation and cardio drumming.

Unusual perk: The credit union has partnered with Fidelity Investments for a student loan repayment program. Eligible employees can have $100 paid toward their student loans each month.

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Pictured: Truliant FCU employees dancing

Lloyd Aaron

6. Truliant Federal Credit Union

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Assets: $4.4 billion
President and CEO: Todd Hall
No. of employees: 939

Interesting fact: Truliant recently opened a three-story operations center with a 741-panel solar installation on its roof.

Unusual perk: The credit union has a fund reserved to help support employees facing disasters, illnesses or injuries.

Pictured: Employees at the credit union's Oneida, New York-based financial center for AmeriCU Spirit Day

5. AmeriCU Credit Union

Rome, New York
Assets: $2.7 billion
President and CEO: Ron Belle
No. of employees: 408

Interesting fact: AmeriCU provides financial counseling to service members stationed at Fort Drum in northern New York. It also hosts a large event each year at the base as a thank you to the service members. Last year, country musician Justin Moore headlined the event.

Unusual perk: AmeriCU is in the process of offering employees an annual stipend they can use to pay for any benefit they want.

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Pictured: One Nevada Credit Union employees at the Proactive Leadership Graduation celebration

4. One Nevada Credit Union

Las Vegas, Nevada
Assets: $1.4 billion
President and CEO: Paul Parrish
No. of employees: 200

Interesting fact: One Nevada partners with Circa, a third-party vendor that provides products to address diversity recruiting, affirmative action planning and compliance management.

Unusual perk: Employees can access virtual health care providers through the "Now Clinic." The service does not charge a copay.

Pictured: MSU Federal Credit Union employees gathering during the organization's managerial summit

3. MSU Federal Credit Union

East Lansing, Michigan
Assets: $7.4 billion
President and CEO: April Clobes
No. of employees: 1,138

Interesting fact: The credit union's Prime Affinity Group strives to inspire and build intergenerational relationships. For instance, the group has hosted a representative from the AARP to talk to employees about planning for retirement.

Unusual perk: Employees who are bilingual receive additional compensation through MSUFCU's language stipend program.

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Pictured: Crewmembers at the credit union's branch in Oviedo,Florida participating in its Halloween costume contest as Mario Cart

2. Fairwinds Credit Union

Orlando, Florida
Assets: $4.5 billion
President and CEO: Larry Tobin
No. of employees: 589

Interesting fact: Fairwinds Credit Union offers a sick and wellness reimbursement program. Employees can exchange accumulated sick time off to cover the costs of insurance premiums, prescriptions, dental care and other medical expenses. Last year, staff members exchanged more than 14,000 sick hours to pay for $700,000 worth of health and wellness services.

Unusual perk: Last year, the institution contributed more than $2.3 million to employees' 401(k)s through a 6% matching program and almost $7,000 through its Debt-Free Club. The Debt-Free Club rewards staff members for achieving certain financial milestones.

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Pictured: Employees dressed up for the credit union's annual Derby Day prior to the Kentucky Derby. Activities include a best dress contest, a best hat contest and derby food.

1. South Carolina Federal Credit Union

North Charleston, South Carolina
Assets: $2.6 billion
President and CEO: Scott Woods
No. of employees: 566

Interesting fact: South Carolina Federal Credit Union has eliminated formal performance reviews and replaced them with regular, timely, personalized feedback through a program called 15Five.

Unusual perk: The credit union offers a health incentive account (HIA) that provides deductible credits of up to $1,000 annually when employees participate in preventative wellness exams and activities.