Every Veterans Day, CUNA News staff speak with veterans who apply skills learned in the military to their credit unions. Our 2023 Salute to Veterans, sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Banks, tells those stories, examines the long relationship between credit unions and servicemembers, and details how individual credit unions reach the military community.

“Servicemembers and military families face challenges unfamiliar to many of us, but we all share the same goals: safe and reliable transportation, a roof over our heads, and a chance to plan for our families’ future,” says CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “Credit unions have always existed to serve their members. This puts us in a prime position to ensure individuals serving their country have their financial needs—whatever they may be—taken care of.”

Read more from Nussle and find our Salute to Veterans coverage here:

• Service to servicemembers: CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle describes why it’s important for credit unions to serve the military community.
• Lessons from the ship’s kitchen: Jupiter Bongolan’s 21 years in the Navy taught him skills that he uses today as a facility specialist at $644 million asset Air Force Federal Credit Union in San Antonio.
• Partnership aids student veterans: Visions Federal Credit Union and Syracuse University partnered to provide student veterans with academic resources, professional advancement services, and financial education.
• Filling plates for veterans: Navy Federal Credit Union’s No Plate Left Behind donated one million meals to servicemembers, veterans, and their families this fall.
• ‘Happy for a lifetime’: Bryan Fox, retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general and board member at $106 million asset Russell Country Federal Credit Union in Great Falls, Mont., believes in volunteering for causes that add value to America.
• Service at a ‘financial hospital’: Advia Credit Union Talent Acquisition Partner Nate Rupe found a new way to serve people after leaving his role as an Army paramedic.
• Advia recognized as a veteran-friendly employer: Advia Credit Union made a deliberate, intentional effort to be inclusive to veterans and their families.
• PODCAST: The military-credit union connection: Veterans Bryan Fox and Nate Rupe describe their transition from military service to credit unions, while Rupe and Kilee Gardner explain how Advia Credit Union assists servicemembers transitioning to the civilian workforce.
• CUNA to Congress: Credit unions stand ready to serve veterans: CUNA highlighted credit union service to veterans and called for support for the Veterans Member Business Loan Act in a message to Congress.