WARREN, Ohio - Banking with purpose and leading with a service mindset remains at the core of 717 Credit Union's decisions.
Through several new initiatives, we renewed our commitment to our communities and members while drawing on the strength of our history and our promise to enhance our services.
In the past year, 717 Credit Union truly embraced our commitment to putting community at the heart of everything we do.
We held a Financial Wellness Night at the Ballpark with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. We bought out the ballpark and provided free admission for the community. It was a wonderful evening filled with camaraderie, food and fireworks. The crowd of 7,869 was the largest in Eastwood Field history.
To foster financial wellness, 717 Credit Union extended initiatives designed to help members and prospective members. These included a high-yield youth savings account and an auto loan rate discount.
We also launched "Forever Youngstown," a $1 million initiative dedicated to uplifting downtown small businesses.
Under the initiative, for every auto loan refinanced through 717 Credit Union, we will provide up to $250 in gift cards for downtown businesses that have been adversely affected by recent hardships such as the pandemic and street closings.
This effort was announced at The Downtown Open, a music event that reminded Valley residents that downtown is still the place to go for nightlife and entertainment.
As a presenting sponsor, 717 Credit arranged for free admission to the Oh Wow! Children's Science Center on that day.
Beyond the youth savings account, which encourages young people to save, we are partnering with schools to teach financial fundamentals.
We are also reaching out to workplaces and organizations with a goal of reaching 10,000 people in the next six years with financial literacy education programs.
717 Credit Union was selected by the city of Youngstown to administer $13 million in America Rescue Plan Act funds through three programs to improve housing.
This program directly aligns with our mission of helping people improve their lives financially and supporting the communities we serve.
And in Warren, we are addressing urban redevelopment with our Great House loan program.
In collaboration with the city of Warren, this program provides discounted interest rate loans of up to $10,000 for residents of the 3rd and 4th wards to assist with improving the exterior of their homes.
Reflecting on the past year, we are also proud to accept several honors including Forbes' inclusion of 717 on its list of America's Best Credit Unions In Each State 2024 for the third consecutive year. This year, 717 Credit Union was named the No. 1 credit union in Ohio.
Newsweek also calls 717 "one of America's best credit unions." Its study, which analyzed more than 9,400 banks and regional credit unions across the United States, awarded only the top 250 credit unions and top 250 regional banks. In order to receive such a top designation, the banks and credit unions had to first meet certain scoring criteria that looked at stability, profitability, risk exposure during uncertain times, and the overall health of the organization.
Accolades aside, our strength is in the people we serve.