Chicago Just Got Greener: MSUFCU Holds Expansion Event for New Chicago Branches

• Aug 31, 2023
• By CUBN News Desk

MSUFCU will be opening five branches in 2024 in the Gold Coast, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town, and Wicker Park neighborhoods, giving the Credit Union the opportunity to enhance its services to existing members in Chicago and to attract new ones.

The expansion event at 1550 N. Clark St. in Chicago, included remarks by April Clobes, MSUFCU President/CEO; Greg Deppong, MSUFCU Board Chair; Fawn O’Brien, President of Chicago Spartans, the local alumni group; Nick McLaren, Assistant Vice President of Alumni and Pipeline at Michigan State University; and Bob Varga, Vice President and Design Principal at SmithGroup, the firm designing the branches.

“The Chicagoland area has the greatest concentration of MSU alumni outside of Michigan, including 2,500 who are MSUFCU members,” said April Clobes, MSUFCU President/CEO. “In order to best fulfill the Credit Union’s mission, our aim has always been to be where our members are, so this branch expansion into Chicago will help further those efforts.

“We have worked for 86 years to serve MSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni with great products and services,” she added. “We strongly believe that if you are in a better financial position, you will achieve your dreams. And whatever they are, we’re here to help you.”

Leading up to and following the event’s formal remarks, attendees were entertained by a local jazz quintet, enjoyed food and refreshments from Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!, and were visited by MSU mascot Sparty.

Additionally, a $15,000 donation was made to 3Arts, a nonprofit organization that supports Chicago’s women artists, artists of color, and Deaf and disabled artists who work in the performing, teaching, and visual arts. By providing cash awards, project funding, residency fellowships, professional development, and promotion, 3Arts helps artists take risks, experiment, and build momentum in their careers.

“It is important for MSUFCU to not only support our members, but the surrounding community,” Clobes said. “The mission of 3Arts aligns with the pillars and mission of MSUFCU’s Desk Drawer Fund to help create jobs, teach valuable skills, and improve the overall quality of life in communities.”

The five new branch locations will create employment opportunities for local residents, contributing to the overall economic growth of the region. The Credit Union also plans to have community spaces available to host events, provide financial education opportunities, and collaborate with local community partners.

As progress is made toward the branch openings, updates will be provided on the MSUFCU website and social channels.

Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards, including being named a Best Credit Union to Work For® by American Banker for the sixth year, a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for 13 consecutive years, and a National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® winner for seven consecutive years. MSUFCU has also been certified as a Great Place to Work® for 10 consecutive years and has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association, earning first place for the people-helping-people philosophy Louise Herring Award. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Mich., and has 23 branches, over 350,000 members, $7.61 billion in assets, and more than 1,100 employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.

---