The Best Credit Unions to Work For with assets from $500M - $1B

Want to be the best? Then learn from the best.

With unemployment low, proven executives and promising new blood have lots of opportunities. Attracting and retaining the top talent in this increasingly competitive environment will take more than just a good salary and a competitive benefits program. To successfully recruit, develop and keep great employees means offering them opportunities to grow both professionally and personally, tools that help them maintain a healthy work-life balance – and even have some on-the-job fun.

Credit Union Journal's Best Credit Unions To Work For rankings give you the opportunity to learn from some of the most innovative credit unions out there. From enhanced family medical leave options, paid time off for volunteering in the community, special recognition programs that go beyond a plaque and a handshake and more, these credit unions have found creative ways to make people want to do their best work.

Read on to learn how the top credit unions with $500 million to $1 billion in assets are attracting and retaining top employees, and check back throughout the week for more!

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Consumers Credit Union

Location: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Assets: $1.1 billion*
Overall rank: 1
Asset category rank: 1
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Employees are encouraged to take breaks and use on-site walking trails throughout the day
· Multiple annual networking events, as well as holiday parties, monthly company-wide birthday celebrations and bi-monthly office-level outings with staff teams
· The credit union subsidizes employees’ entry fees for races, walks, fitness classes or sports club fees, and also has a champion softball team staffers can join.

Pictured above: During a picnic in 2018, Consumers CU’s 300 employees, including senior management, gather for a photo celebrating the credit union surpassing the $1 billion-asset mark.

*Credit union was under $1 billion in assets at time of application.
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One Nevada Credit Union

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Assets: $856 million
Overall rank: 6
Asset category rank: 2
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Monthly “calendar of fun” highlights team-building exercise, contests and other ways the credit union works to engage staff and create a fun work environment
· Comfortable business casual dress code, including “One Wear” logo shirts that can be worn with jeans
· Staff can relax and unwind at the credit union’s corporate park, complete with our Core Values putting green, barbecue grills, misting system and comfortable outdoor couches and chairs.

Pictured above: One Nevada Credit Union’s senior management poses for a photo during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the CU’s N. Decatur branch in Las Vegas.
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Michigan First Credit Union

Location: Lathrup Village, Mich.
Assets: $920 million
Overall rank: 7
Asset category rank: 3
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Full-time staff members can receive up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement
· Team members receive loan discounts and free checks
· Staffers who refer a new employee receive a $200 bonus after the new team member reaches 90 days on the job.

Pictured above: Michigan First CU senior management and employees donated collected and donated holiday gifts to kids through “Goodfellows” program in December 2017.
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Bay Federal Credit Union

Location: Capitola, Calif.
Assets: $970 million
Overall rank: 13
Asset category rank: 4
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Pulse Wellness program promotes physical, emotional and financial well-being
· Special dress code days with silly themes and styles
· Company-wide Halloween costume and decoration contests

Pictured above: Bay Federal Credit Union’s CEO Carrie Birkhofer (top row, far right) poses with employees at a United Way “Stuff the Bus” back to school backpack drive for homeless youth.
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Avadian Credit Union

Location: Birmingham, Ala.
Assets: $785 million
Overall rank: 14
Asset category rank: 5
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Exceptional paid time off and company-paid holidays
· Tuition reimbursement
· Promotions from within.

Pictured above: Avadian Credit Union's executive team during the 2018 Employee Delight Week.
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Alabama Credit Union

Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Assets: $877 million
Overall rank: 18
Asset category rank: 6
Reasons employees like to work here:
· During periods of high workloads, employees enjoy “Margarita Mondays” after work.
· Employees are paid to work 15 hours for a community involvement cause of their choice.
· All staff have the option to participate in an annual Halloween costume contest.

Pictured above: During the annual all-staff meeting, team members hold up a house built using limited supplies. The idea was to explain how technology has improved and changed over the years providing the ability to better serve members with additional products, services and expertise.
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St. Mary's Bank

Location: Manchester, NH
Assets: $996 million
Overall rank: 28
Asset category rank: 7
Reasons Employees Like To Work Here:
· Employees enjoy “wear your favorite sports jersey to work” day.
· Management provides biannual “family fun days” for staff, with past events including activities such as hiking, skiing and visiting amusement parks.
· The credit union offers a flextime policy that includes alternative work schedules to meet family needs and personal obligations.

Pictured above: St. Mary’s Bank employees gathered at the credit union’s operations center to celebrate Flag Day 2018. The festivities included a cookout, a departmental flag-making contest, prizes and a team photo around the La Caisse Populaire sign at the CU’s operations center.
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Neighbors Federal Credit Union

Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Assets: $825 million
Overall rank: 29
Asset category rank: 8
Reasons employees like to work here:
· During movie nights on the lawn, Employees and their families enjoy free with meals and popcorn
· Employees have yogurt or ice cream products delivered to their desk during summer months
· Employees receive paid time off to work at local charities.

Pictured above: The Neighbors FCU Team Impact Committee celebrates a successful night at the Neighbors FCU 2018 Mardi Gras Ball.
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Los Angeles Federal Credit Union

Location: Glendale, Calif.
Assets: $964 million
Overall rank: 36
Asset category rank: 9
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union provides paid quarterly lunches to celebrate good financial results, as well as hosting bowling nights, holiday breakfasts and events at the local theme parks
· LAFCU supports employee cultural diversity by celebrating December holidays, black history month, an Asian heritage lunch and Hispanic cultural month, among others
· Employees can take part in “Bring Your Child to Work Day.”

Pictured above: The children of LAFCU employees spent the day at our corporate office learning how the credit union operated
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Deseret First Credit Union

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Assets: $684 million
Overall rank: 37
Asset category rank: 10
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union hosts annual holiday dinners, Halloween dress up and Easter egg hunts for staff
· A wellness program awards employees additional PTO and gift cards when milestones are met
· A doctor-on-call program is provided at no cost to employees.

Pictured above: The first graduating class of the Deseret First Leadership Institute. These employees spent over a year studying topics and completing projects in regards to coaching, creating a vision, mentoring, and many other important leadership topics.
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Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union

Location: Van Nuys, Calif.
Assets: $936 million
Overall rank: 38
Asset category rank: 11
Reasons employees like to work here:
· Employees play on co-ed softball and golf teams
· The credit union offers a wellness program complete with a quiet room for power naps, comfy recliners and soothing music
· Staff receive 12 holiday days off each year.

Pictured above: Los Angeles FCU’s Spirit Team, comprised of cross-functional employees, is charged with the goal of increasing morale and associate satisfaction by planning and executing activities that contribute to the overall spirit and well being of associates.
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Verve, a credit union

Location: Oshkosh, Wis.
Assets: $900 million
Overall rank: 39
Asset category rank: 12
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union invites employees to take part in a daily stretching break at 8:30 a.m.
· Employees receive playful visits from Beau, the credit union’s therapy dog
· All staffers receive a paid day off on their birthday.

Pictured above: Verve team members hosting an after-hours business event for the local chamber of commerce designed to promote enhanced digital banking options and improve face-to-face banking.
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Listerhill Credit Union

Location: Muscle Shoals, Ala
Assets: $778 million
Overall rank: 40
Asset category rank: 13
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union sponsors a quiet room complete with complementary snacks, a zero-gravity massage chair and a sound machine
· Management regularly holds breakfasts and barbecues to cook and serve food to staff
· Listerhill CU’s “Ambassadors” program offers employees paid time for volunteering at community-sponsored events.

Pictured above: Listerhill CU employees participate in the Muscle Shoals Dragon Boat Festival.
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Power Financial Credit Union

Location: Pembroke Pines, Fla
Assets: $674 million
Overall rank: 42
Asset category rank: 14
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union supports “Wacky Wednesdays” during February where all employees can dress up in crazy clothing.
· A quarterly gain-sharing program rewards staff with a variable compensation bonus dependent on company scorecard results.
· The bulk of healthcare costs for employees and their families are subsidized by the CU.

Pictured above: Power Financial CU’s Special Anniversary Breakfast Celebration acknowledges milestone work anniversaries, including everything from five years to 25 yearsat the credit union.
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Xceed Financial Credit Union

Location: El Segundo, Calif.
Assets: $915 million
Overall rank: 43
Asset category rank: 15
Reasons employees like to work here:
· The credit union’s “Monday Fun Day” provides free lunches sponsored by its Culture & Talent Development department
· Each year on Pi Day (March 14) Xceed hosts a pie-eating contest to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
· “Family Day” is an additional PTO day every associate receives to spend time with family (however the associate defines it) and includes a $100 stipend.

Pictured above: Xceed Financial staffers celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4 at Xceed’s Main St. Financial Center .
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