EAST LANSING, Mich. — Students from Michigan State University and Oakland University gave back to their respective communities simply by becoming members of MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) and Oakland University Credit Union (OUCU). 
Between June 1 and Oct. 31, 2023, every time a student opened an account with MSUFCU or OUCU, $5 was contributed to local organizations on their behalf. This initiative resulted in a total donation of $8,905 to the MSU Student Food Bank and $1,170 to the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center, with a total of 1,781 MSUFCU accounts and 234 OUCU accounts opened during this period.
“Having the opportunity to positively impact their community is one of many benefits to MSUFCU and OUCU students in joining our Credit Unions,” said Arianna Ridderbusch, MSUFCU’s Vice President of Community Impact. “We’re more than financial institutions where students can maintain checking and savings accounts or obtain a credit card ― we’re partners in philanthropy, education, and volunteerism.”
Additionally, students benefit from access to the Financial 4.0 app and free educational webinars offered by MSUFCU and OUCU, covering a range of topics from budgeting basics to debt payoff and understanding credit reports.
“Offering free financial education on campus is an integral part of our mission at MSUFCU and OUCU,” Ridderbusch said. “We believe that empowering students with knowledge about budgeting, debt management, credit reports, and other topics is essential for their long-term financial well-being. Our goal is to help them build a strong financial foundation that lasts well beyond their college years.”
MSUFCU and OUCU employees were also actively involved on campus this fall, contributing to student move-in activities with more than 250 volunteers on both campuses.
To find out more about student membership, visit msufcu.org/students or oucreditunion.org/students.
###
Photo Caption: Representatives from the MSU Student Food Bank are presented with an $8,905 donation thanks to contributions through new MSUFCU student memberships.
Photo of Oakland County Animal Shelter donation available upon request.
ABOUT MSUFCU
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. The Credit Union operates an award-winning, wholly owned credit union service organization, Reseda Group, along with digital financial platforms AlumniFi and Collegiate, trade name Oakland University Credit Union, and its foundation, the Desk Drawer Fund. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan; 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.
ABOUT OUCU
OU Credit Union was founded in 2013 and is a trade name of MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), the world’s largest university-based credit union. The Credit Union offers a full range of personal- and business-related financial services to Michigan State University and Oakland University faculty, staff, students, alumni association members, and their families worldwide. The Credit Union began operating on Oakland University’s campus in 1958 after an alumni gift was donated to MSU to start the new college in Oakland County, Michigan. OU Credit Union is now the official financial services partner of Oakland University and has grown to include two branches and multiple ATMs on and around the OU campus. MSUFCU and OUCU together have 23 branches, nearly 350,000 members, over $7.45 billion in assets, and more than 1,100 employees. For more information, visit oucreditunion.org
