Celebrating the People and Purpose Behind Credit Unions
What does a credit union mean to you? Is it the place you go to work every day and depend on for your own loans, savings and financial guidance? Or is it more than that?
Credit unions have been a part of my life for a long time – maybe even longer than I’m willing to admit! And that’s not simply because I’ve worked at the Corporate for 25 years. No, my journey with credit unions started long before my career did.
I’ll never forget the day I sat down with my dad in our credit union, in one of their employee’s offices, to discuss how to pay for college. I was a young adult, ready to enter the world of higher education and the first one in our family to do so. The woman helping us walked us through every step of what I might need. She explained Stafford loans, she looked at our pile of savings bonds to determine which ones we should redeem and she helped me get a loan for a computer. We were there for a significant amount of time, but she didn’t rush us and took the time to answer our many questions. She genuinely wanted to help me, even as I was just getting started in life and inexperienced as to what financial well-being truly looked like.
That day will never leave my memory, because it was the day I realized that credit unions aren’t just financial institutions – they’re beacons of hope for everyone who needs financial guidance.
That’s why I look forward to every October, when the credit union movement gets a meaningful opportunity to pause, celebrate and reconnect to the purpose behind our work. International Credit Union Day and CU Kind Day may each have their own focus, but together, they offer one clear message: credit unions are built around people.
CU Kind Day
CU Kind Day, which is officially observed on October 12 but spans the entire month, gives credit unions a chance to turn our concern for community into action. Whether teams are volunteering, collecting donations, supporting local nonprofits, sharing financial education or simply spreading a little extra kindness, the heart of the day is simple: we are people helping people.
International Credit Union Day
Just a few days later on October 15 (or the third Thursday of every October), International Credit Union Day recognizes the history, achievements and global impact of credit unions. This year’s theme, “Cooperative Finance: A Steady Signal in a Noisy World,” feels especially fitting. At a time when financial decisions can seem complicated and the world around us often feels loud, credit unions continue to offer something steady: trusted relationships, practical guidance and a commitment to doing what is right for members and communities.
People. Purpose. Power.
The simplicity of these celebrations is what makes them so powerful. Credit unions don’t need grand gestures to make a meaningful impact. Sometimes, the clearest signal comes through the in quietest moments – the conversation that eases a member’s worry, the volunteer hour that supports a neighbor in need, the donation drive that provides a nutritious meal or the financial lesson that helps someone feel more prepared for what comes next.
For credit unions, October is not just a season of celebration. It is a chance to reflect on what we already know and experience every day: people are our purpose.
As we prepare to celebrate CU Kind Day and International Credit Union Day this October, I think back to the day I sat in that humble credit union office and fell in love with the mission. That was my signal. It showed me why this movement matters and how, even in a noisy world, credit unions continue to stand out with kindness for all and a purpose that endures.
As the VP of marketing and education for Vizo Financial, Jaime Agostino oversees marketing and educational offerings for the Corporate. Ms. Agostino holds a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in markting, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the Pennsylvania State University. She currently holds her Series 7 (Registered General Securities Representative) and Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination) investment licenses from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and has also achieved the following professional designations: Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM), Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), SIE - Securities Industry Essentials Examination, Inbound Marketing Certified and Content Marketing Certified.