2024 In Review: How UCU Was Here for U

UCU Expands Membership, Strengthens Community Engagement, and Celebrates
Milestones Across Maine

ORONO, Maine (February 17, 2025) – Here at UCU, we understand that financial success is unique to every member. In 2024, we expanded our reach and deepened our impact to show how UCU is Here For U, wherever you are in Maine.

“2024 was a remarkable year for UCU,” said UCU President and CEO Renee Ouellette. “We’ve not only grown our membership and expanded our geographic reach but also made meaningful impacts in our communities through service, hunger relief, and education. These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of our team and the trust of our members. It’s all rooted in the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people.’ We look forward to continuing this momentum in 2025.”

Expanding Membership Opportunities

In January 2024, UCU transitioned to a community charter, allowing us to serve more individuals and businesses across 11 Maine counties, including Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Oxford, Penobscot, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington. This change reflects our ongoing commitment to financial well-being and community support.

In July 2024, we celebrated the opening of its first full-service branch in Kennebec County with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a three-day open house. As part of the celebration, UCU presented donations to local organizations: Augusta Food Bank, Kennebec Humane Society and Maine Veterans Project.

Also in July, UCU successfully merged with Changing Seasons Federal Credit Union in Hampden following successful membership vote and regulatory approval. UCU welcomed all Changing Seasons members and staff to UCU.

In August 2024, we announced plans to open our first branch in York County in 2025! To be located at 1001 Portland Road in Saco, the new branch will feature state-of-the-art technology, including UCU’s expanding fleet of Video Teller machines, renovated lobby and dedicated areas for members to meet with UCU product specialists. Members will be able to conduct a variety of transactions from this location, including real estate, consumer and member business loan closings, UCU Wealth Management meetings, financial education programming led by UCU’s Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors, and more.

In November 2024, UCU welcomed members from Changing Seasons Federal Credit Union to UCU branch lobbies and digital banking platform, who now enjoy increased availability of local branches, ATMs, financial products and services, and many more benefits of UCU membership.

Making an Impact
In January 2024, UCU expanded eligibility for the annual UCU Scholarship to include students pursuing advanced education. For the first time, UCU awarded a graduate scholarship, in addition to eight undergraduate scholarships, to students enrolled in the University of Maine System and Maine Maritime Academy. Since beginning the UCU Scholarship in 2016, UCU has awarded 55 scholarships to students furthering their education in Maine. And we are looking forward to celebrating the UCU Scholarship’s 10^th anniversary in 2025!

On April 17, 2024, more than 85 UCU employees participated in our annual Patriot’s Day, Here for U Day of Service. Teams volunteered at 15 locations throughout Maine, including Good Shepherd Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Over the summer, UCU partnered with CU Insurance Solutions to co-sponsor, and compete in the Second Annual Biggest Little Golf Tournament, benefiting Special Olympics Maine. In case you missed it, WABI Channel 5 came out to capture the fun and raise awareness for the amazing programs available through Special Olympics Maine. Check out the video!

Food insecurity also continues to be a challenge for communities throughout Maine. In 2024, UCU helped to raise funds for the Maine Credit Union League’s Ending Hunger campaign, preparing to distribute $26,349 in spring 2025, bringing our all-time Ending Hunger contributions to $232,840. The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign (all credit union total) has contributed over $13.9 million since 1990 to end hunger in the state.

To learn more about UCU’s dedication to supporting their communities, visit ucumaine.com/community-impact.

Supporting Our People and Members

In 2024, four UCU staff achieved the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) certification, empowering them to with the tools to provide members personalized financial counseling on budgeting, credit improvement, and debt management. These teammates join six who are also CCUFCs across the state of Maine. To learn more and make an appointment, visit: ucumaine.com/ccufc

2024 by the Numbers

As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, UCU returns value to its members in the form of rewards, low rates, and high yields. There are many ways that UCU is ‘Here for U’ for our members; this is a snapshot from 2024:

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About University Credit Union
Established on the University of Maine campus in 1967, University Credit Union is an innovative, full-service financial institution dedicated to promoting financial well-being for the individuals and communities it serves. UCU is one of the largest credit unions in Maine, serving members across the state of Maine with locations in Orono, Bangor, Farmington, Gorham, Portland, Presque Isle, Machias and Augusta. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, UCU returns its profits back to members in the form of lower loan rates, higher deposit yields, lower fees, and more solutions and services. For more information visit ucumaine.com

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