Best Credit Unions to Work For with less than $200M of assets

September 1, 2023 11:51 AM

The top three credit unions in the ranking have an average of $135.5 million of assets. The average number of employees at the top three was 43.

Scroll through to find out more about the Best Credit Unions to Work For with less than $200 million of assets.

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Pictured: Employees from the East North Street branch in Greenville, South Carolina, show off their Christmas wear.

10. Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union

Spartanburg, South Carolina
Assets: $200 million

President and CEO: Scott Weaver

No. of employees: 58

Interesting fact: Executives at Carolina Foothills gather employee feedback multiple times a year to measure engagement, then use the findings to see which areas of the credit union need improvement.

Unusual perk: The credit union organizes annual employee outings, such as participating in events with Habitat for Humanity and many others.

Pictured: Astera employees participate in a "fill the backpack campaign" for Child and Family Charities.

9. Astera Credit Union

Lansing, Michigan
Assets: $197.1 million

CEO: Martin Carter

No. of employees: 59

Interesting fact: The company rewards employees whose acts promote the mission of Astera with "shining star" points that can earn them monetary rewards on a monthly and yearly basis. The staff member with the most points at the end of each month wins $50, and the person with the highest total at the end of the year receives $300.

Unusual perk: Each group of new employees attends a welcome luncheon with the credit union's CEO Martin Carter.

Pictured: Employees judge Crestview Middle School projects where students designed branches for Buckeye Credit Union.

8. Buckeye State Credit Union

Akron, Ohio
Assets: $137.6 million

CEO: Michael Abernathy

No. of employees: 72

Interesting fact: Each week, employees receive a video message from Buckeye Credit Union CEO Michael Abernathy discussing topics ranging from leadership and current events in finance to his professional story and lessons learned throughout his career — all with the aim of promoting open communication across the credit union.

Unusual perk: Buckeye Credit Union donates more than $30,000 per year to various local causes and charities, but refrains from engaging with political campaigns to remain neutral.

7. North Bay Credit Union

Santa Rosa, California
Assets: $115 million
CEO: Chris Call
No. of employees: 26

Interesting fact: With a diverse staff of mostly women and roughly a third from minority communities, more than 40% of employees hired by the credit union have either been promoted or moved laterally from their original role.

Unusual perk: North Bay structures itself around the needs of its employees, allowing them to work remotely while remaining flexible on time off usage for family emergencies.

6. Lone Star Credit Union

Dallas, Texas
Assets: $166.3 million
CEO: Becky Reed
No. of employees: 42

Interesting fact: Employees can wear jeans every day, and those working in back office positions follow an even more relaxed dress code.

Unusual perk: Lone Star Credit Union offers unlimited time off and does not conduct performance evaluations.

5. Trademark Federal Credit Union

Augusta, Maine
Assets: $118.6 million
President and CEO: Peter St. Onge
No. of U.S. employees: 25

Interesting fact: The credit union encourages employees to wear jeans every Friday.

Unusual perk: Trademark offers wellness reimbursement benefits of up to $300 per year for gym memberships, programs, massages, fitness equipment and more.

4. CACL FCU

Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Assets: $198.5 million
CEO: Jason Kostura
No. of employees: 59

Interesting fact: The credit union participates in the spring and fall Schuylkill Keep It Pretty (S.K.I.P) Cleanup program, where employees take turns on designated days cleaning up along a stretch of road the credit union has "adopted." Staff members are paid for their time and receive a catered lunch.

Unusual perk: Employees can participate in yoga team-building classes.

2. Rock Valley Credit Union

Loves Park, Illinois
Assets: $155.6 million
CEO: Darlyne Keller
No. of employees: 45

Interesting fact: Last year, the credit union provided financial education to almost 500 students in the region around their main office in Loves Park, Illinois.

Unusual perk: The Impact ViP award of $100 and a trophy is given to a peer-nominated employee who embodies the institution's mission.

1. Southwest Financial FCU

Farmers Branch, Texas
Assets: $80 million
President and CEO: Melanie Kennedy
No. of employees: 28

Interesting fact: Southwest Financial is a fully digital financial institution where employees work from home, gathering online and in non-office spaces.

Unusual perk: Employees enjoy free spa and massage packages from the credit union.