
Members enjoy managing their accounts with the ease and convenience of today’s technology through online and mobile banking.

For 78 years, we’ve been doing just that, whether it’s providing affordable financial services to meet our members’ needs or demonstrating giving back to our members in the communities CCU serves.”ĬCU wants to do what it can to make banking easy in today’s busy lifestyle environment. “Our goal is to be here tomorrow and in order to achieve this, our members have to think we’re doing most things right. “Poverty in the communities we serve is anywhere from 20 to 30 percent,” Clore says.
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This year, more than two tons of food was donated, plus more than $2,200 in monetary donations, of which Cornerstone gave $1,000. The credit union also recently partnered with 13WREX to put on the fourth annual Freeport Food Drive. “We believe a good place to live, work and play is right here in northwest Illinois, so this is one way we can support that belief.” “We hope students go to college and come back to the area to work,” Clore says. Since the program’s inception in 1998, CCU has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to area youth to attend an accredited college, university, community college or technical/trade school. Each scholarship is dispersed over a four-year period to encourage and promote graduation. The credit union gives out two, sometimes three, Founders’ Scholarships each year to graduating high school students who are CCU members. In addition to your banking needs, CCU exists to serve people and give back to the community. “Our members are at the top of our organization,” Clore says. Not only do they set policy and plan the vision of the credit union, they also oversee the president. The board oversees and guides the credit union, similar to other nonprofit boards, such as for the United Way. The members of the credit union have the ability to vote for the credit union’s 10-member volunteer board of directors. “If they are eligible for membership, they’ll start with a $25 deposit into their savings account, which represents their share of the credit union.” “Anyone who lives or works in our 11 area counties can become a member-owner of our credit union, or, if they’re related to someone who is a member,” Cote says. Since CCU is a nonprofit financial cooperative, if you join the credit union, not only do you own a part of it, you have a say in how it’s run. “Cornerstone denotes a rock-solid, sound foundation, which is what we represent as a financial institution.” “In 2001, we changed our name to Cornerstone Credit Union, to represent what we thought was our future,” says CCU President Gail Clore, who just celebrated 25 years with the credit union. A second was formed with Midwest Community CU of Sterling in 2001 and a third merger included Freeport City Employees CU in 2015. Freeport Postal Employees CU, a small, local credit union, merged into MSECU in 2000. 1, 1939, as Micro Switch Employees’ Credit Union (MSECU). Its asset size is $110 million with three full-service branches in Freeport, Sterling and South Beloit, Ill.ĬCU was chartered on Nov. That’s where this theme comes from helping people with financial struggles is always the foundation of what we do.”ĬCU serves 14,000 members in 11 northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin counties. We’re here to provide solutions, such as an affordable loan to get your home or car repaired.

“We understand people in our communities have struggles, whether it’s flooded homes or a car that’s broken down. “‘The Struggle is Real’ is our branding message,” Marketing Director Lorna Cote says. When it comes to a successful business, there’s something to be said about consistency.Ĭustomers want something they’re comfortable with, and with a rock-solid history that spans nearly 80 years, it’s easy to find comfort with Cornerstone Credit Union (CCU). They also give back to the community by awarding scholarships to high school students and providing aid to those in poverty.

Discover how values and customer service separate this local institution from its rivals.Īt Cornerstone Credit Union, Lorna Cote (left) and Gail Clore (right) provide solutions to people with financial struggles.

Consistency isn’t the only thing this 80-year-old credit union has in its arsenal of financial tools.
