UCU Honored with GreenPath Growth Guru Partner Excellence Award

At University Credit Union, we believe financial wellness is more than a program—it's a promise. It's the promise we make to each member who walks through our doors, logs into digital banking, attends a workshop, or reaches out with a question about their next step. That's why we're thrilled to share that UCU has been awarded GreenPath's Growth Guru Partner Excellence Award, a recognition that spotlights organizations leading the way in financial education, counseling access, and long‑term financial empowerment.

This award isn't just about an initiative or a single collaboration. It reflects the choices we make every day to embed financial well‑being into the fabric of the member experience—from offering personalized counseling options to building educational partnerships across campuses. And most importantly, it reflects the impact those efforts are having on real members and real families.

Why the GreenPath Growth Guru Partner Excellence Award Matters

GreenPath Financial Wellness is one of the most respected financial counseling organizations in the country, known for more than six decades of helping people build healthy financial habits, tackle debt, manage credit, and navigate major milestones with clarity and confidence. Being recognized by a partner of this scale and expertise is especially meaningful because the award evaluates not only what an institution offers, but how deeply those resources are integrated and how strongly they benefit members.

This year, UCU stood out for several reasons:

• Thoughtful integration of financial wellness into everyday member interactions
• Strong results and measurable outcomes connected to financial counseling and education
• A long-term commitment to reducing financial stress and building financial resilience
• Strategic collaboration that amplifies the impact of both organizations

In making the announcement, GreenPath President & CEO Kristen Holt emphasized the role UCU plays in making financial wellness accessible and effective. By providing members with tools, education, and personalized guidance, UCU is helping people reduce debt, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward long‑term stability. 

A Partnership Built on Shared Purpose

Our collaboration with GreenPath isn't simply a referral stream or a checklist item. It's an active, strategic partnership built around shared goals: helping members make informed decisions, lowering financial barriers, and reducing stress during moments that can feel overwhelming.

Through this partnership, members have access to:

• One‑on‑one financial counseling tailored to their goals
• Debt management and budgeting support
• Workshops and educational programs offered online and on campuses
• Tools that support long‑term planning, from homebuying to managing student loans

These resources help members move forward with confidence, whether they're building credit, navigating major purchases, or simply trying to get a better handle on day‑to‑day finances.

UCU President & CEO Richard Wada reflected on the significance of the GreenPath Growth Guru Partner Excellence Award, noting that it highlights what's possible when two mission‑driven organizations work together to empower individuals and families. It's a reminder that financial wellness isn't something people should have to figure out alone; it's something we can build collectively, through support, guidance, and partnership.

Rooted in Education, Designed for Impact

As a credit union founded by UCLA employees and shaped by generations of university communities, education is woven into our origin story. That commitment lives on in the way we design our financial wellness approach today.

Across campuses and digital spaces, UCU integrates financial education through:

• Workshops and seminars for students, faculty, staff, and alumni
• Digital learning modules that meet members where they are
• One‑on‑one consultations that provide personalized support
• Partnerships with university departments to strengthen financial literacy initiatives

Our goal is to help members see the full picture of their financial lives—not with judgment or pressure, but with clarity, options, and support.

Financial wellness looks different for everyone. For some, it means managing debt more effectively. For others, it's about learning how to save, plan, or build credit. For many, it's simply about feeling less stress and more confidence. No matter the starting point, we're here to walk alongside our members each step of the way.

A Recognition we're Proud of and Motivated by

The GreenPath Growth Guru Partner Excellence Award is both a celebration and an inspiration. It reflects the work we've done, but it also challenges us to deepen our commitment and expand our impact in the years ahead. Most importantly, it reinforces something we never lose sight of: our members are the reason behind every workshop, every partnership, every counseling referral, and every tool we build. We're grateful for your trust, proud of this recognition, and excited to continue helping you achieve financial health and well‑being, today, tomorrow, and throughout your financial journey.