Financial wellness is a hallmark of credit unions. It’s what differentiates us from other banking institutions. By definition, financial wellness is the state of your financial wellbeing and your ability to manage your bills, pay your debts, weather unexpected expenses, and plan for long-term financial goals such as saving funds for college or retirement. DCCU embraces financial wellness, and recognizes the importance it plays in your overall wellbeing.

DCCU’s Community and Business Development team champions financial wellness on behalf of the credit union. The team is comprised of Margaret Hersh, Director, Sarah Landram, Community and Business Development Manager, and Carrie Walters, Business Development Officer. With more than 60 years in the credit union industry collectively, they are passionate about providing financial wellness education for our members and community.

One example is DCCU at Work, a free financial wellness program that is offered to local employers that provides customizable tools for the workplace. “We work with employer groups to provide on-site training sessions and online resources that help workers reduce their stress levels, raise productivity, and improve retention,” said Carrie. In 2022, DCCU provided training to employer groups throughout the Valley on topics such as developing a budget, building credit, purchasing a home, investing in the future, and planning for retirement. 

DCCU embraces financial wellness at every level, including local schools. “Because financial literacy is such an important aspect of financial wellness, it’s important to start early,” said Sarah. “Going into the schools and teaching high school students vital financial fundamentals will help them form a solid foundation for their financial future.” In the last year, DCCU reached 2,000 students through lessons on budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and the importance of a banking relationship.

Working with community organizations is another important aspect of DCCU’s commitment to financial wellness. The Community and Business Development team provides workshops, training, and lessons that help participants better understand their current financial status and develop a plan for the future. “Supporting the community is a big part of who we are as a credit union. We are proactive in reaching out to organizations who may benefit from our program,” said Carrie. 

There are also many financial wellness opportunities for our members. The Community and Business Development team, as well as our branch staff, are available to support your individual financial wellness needs. “I encourage you to reach out to DCCU with any financial questions you have,” said Margaret. “Understanding all the benefits of being part of the cooperative is so important, especially how our products and services can help you reach your financial goals so that you can become more financially healthy.” If you prefer to review information online, our partnership with GreenPath may be a good solution. They offer valuable information you can put into practice immediately, in a variety of areas, including money management, housing counseling, debt repayment, and more.

DCCU is committed to the financial wellness of our members and the community. We encourage you to prioritize your personal financial wellness, or that of your employees or organization. It is an essential factor to your overall wellbeing. “Financial wellness is important because when our members experience financial wellness, it makes our cooperative and community stronger as well.” said Sarah. You can learn more about the Community and Business Development team here.