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Covid-19 and George Floyd Responses Earn Affinity Plus Top Awards for Minnesota Credit Unions; Advances to Nationals

  • Press Release
September 28, 2020
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union (Affinity Plus) is pleased to announce it’s the 2020 winner of both the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award and the Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Member Service Award.
ST. PAUL, MINN. (September 28, 2020) – Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union (Affinity Plus) is pleased to announce it’s the 2020 winner of both the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award and the Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Member Service Award. The statewide awards, which are sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), recognize distinguished credit unions that demonstrate social responsibility and the credit union philosophy.

Affinity Plus was honored for combined efforts for Twin Cities Healing and Affinity Plus Gives, as well as its quick response for members during COVID-19.

“At Affinity Plus, we make supporting the communities we serve our top priority,” said Dave Larson, President and CEO of Affinity Plus. “These awards and recognition are a reflection of the hard work and passion our employees and members put forth daily. We are honored to receive these awards and look forward to continuing to give back and serve our communities.”

Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award

Affinity Plus earned this honor for its commitment to helping communities after the death of George Floyd and the unrest that followed. Specifically, Affinity Plus mobilized its employees and members to contribute more than $330,000 in member and employee directed funding through the Twin Cities Healing and Affinity Plus Gives, initiatives to non-profit organizations addressing ongoing issues tied to racial injustice, providing basic needs, and supporting rebuilding efforts.

The award was created in 1987 to promote social responsibility among credit unions by formally recognizing their achievements outside the credit union.

It was named after early credit union pioneer, Dora Maxwell, one of the original delegates who stabled the Credit Union National Association and worked diligently in developing volunteer clubs and organizations for the less fortunate.

Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Member Service Award

Affinity Plus earned this honor for its comprehensive COVID-19 pandemic response, in particular for its care for employees and members. The credit union focused on serving members’ banking needs and made sure new financial resources were available for members facing financial difficulties. To date, Affinity Plus has helped nearly 30,000 members save approximately $4 million in fees waived alone, while also deferring loan payments, offering low or zero-interest loans, saving nearly 1,2000 jobs through small business PPP loans, and contributing to important community  non-profit resources.

The award is given to a credit union for its practical application of the “people helping people” philosophy in internal operations. Created in 1990, this award promotes the credit union philosophy by formally recognizing credit unions that demonstrate in an extraordinary way the application of the movement’s principles in serving their members


Affinity Plus will now move on as a finalist in the running for a national-level award, which will be presented at the 2021 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, DC. To learn more about Affinity Plus, please visit: www.affinityplus.org.

Based in St. Paul, Minn., Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that puts people first above profits. Members of Affinity Plus receive maximum value through competitive rates, minimal fees, and unique, member-centric products and programs. Established in 1930, Affinity Plus has 30 branches located throughout Minnesota and is owned by more than 250,000 members. Affinity Plus has more than $4 billion in assets. Additional information is available at www.affinityplus.org or by calling (800) 322-7228.

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