From November 2025 - December 31st, 2025, use your UTFCU credit card and enjoy 5.99% APR* on qualifying purchases for 6 months. Plus, for every purchase, you’ll earn 2X ScoreCard Reward Points!

Don’t miss out on these savings and rewards!

*After 6 months, any unpaid promotional balance will revert to the standard APR, so make the most of this limited-time offer. Cards must be in good standing to qualify. Terms and conditions apply. Offer cannot be combined with other promotion

Make Your List, Check It Twice, UTFCU Makes Holiday Shopping Nice!

• Borrow up to $3,000
• Up to 12-month term
• Rates at 6.99% APR*

Don’t wait, spread joy today with a little help from UTFCU! Stop by any branch or use the form to apply.

APPLY NOW

*Disclosure: APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Loan amounts up to $3,000 for up to 12 months at 6.99% APR. Rate is not subject to risk-based lending; all approved applicants receive the stated rate. All loans subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."
~ Abraham Lincoln

Credit union boards are now in a high-stakes race, not just against other financial institutions, but against time itself: a growing number of long-tenured CEOs and senior execs are retiring, and boards are responding with significant compensation increases to secure continuity.

What Is Driving Rising Executive Pay?

According to the 2025 CUES Executive Compensation Survey, total compensation for credit union CEOs jumped 10.2%, primarily due to record-high bonuses.

CEO base salaries alone rose 7.6% year-over-year, per CUES, even amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

The average bonus eligibility hit 95.9%, with some large-CU CEOs receiving bonuses equal to 32.7% of their base pay.

Boards are increasingly offering deferred compensation plans, split-dollar life insurance, and non-qualified benefit plans to retain senior leaders.

Why Boards Are Paying Up

The retirement of seasoned leadership threatens institutional memory and strategic stability.

Replacing a CEO or senior exec isn't just costly, it risks a loss of culture, relationships, and long-term vision.

Rising complexity (cybersecurity, regulation, digital transformation) demands highly experienced leadership.

New NCUA guidance is pushing succession planning into sharper focus: proposed rules now require written plans for key executive roles.

I experience these dynamics firsthand as President and CEO of University of Toledo Federal Credit Union.

Retaining Senior Leadership

Here's what the credit union boards should do to retain senior leadership

• Adopt strategic compensation frameworks: use data-driven benchmarks to ensure pay is competitive and retention-focused.
• Institute long-term, non-qualified compensation plans: use deferred compensation or split-dollar arrangements to align executive incentives with future performance and retention.
• Build robust succession plans: identify internal talent early, assess their readiness, and give them real development opportunities so they're ready when a senior leader steps down.
• Invest in leadership development: higher education is trending among execs, and boards are responding.
• Monitor regulations and governance: as incentive-based compensation rules and succession planning become more regulated, proactive boards will mitigate risk and strengthen stability.

Conclusion

To every Credit Union Board Chair and Director: the cost of not acting is growing, not just in dollars, but in legacy.

If you haven't done so already, convene a leadership-retention strategy session this quarter. Revisit your compensation structures, succession plans, and development pipelines.

Let's ensure the next generation of credit union leadership is ready, resilient, and deeply invested, not just in the institution, but in its mission.

Enjoyed reading this? Read more on my blog. Or follow me on LinkedIn for more content like this.

Our Story

Sixty years ago, 13 people believed in something simple: members helping members. They founded T.U.T. Federal Credit Union with limited resources but unlimited enthusiasm. In 1976, we became University of Toledo Federal Credit Union and expanded our services. Today, we serve over 6,700 members nationwide.

Who We Serve

We're a credit union for the University of Toledo family. If you're a student, faculty member, staff member, physician, alumni association member, or a family member of any of these groups, you can join us. It's that straightforward.

What We Offer

We provide everything you need for your financial life:

• Checking and savings accounts
• Auto loans with competitive rates
• Home equity lines of credit
• Credit cards with zero liability protection
• Student loans designed for college expenses
• Personal loans for whatever life throws at you

You can bank with us through our mobile app, online, or visit our campus locations. We're at the main Hill Avenue office, Mulford Library, and the Lancelot Thompson Student Union.

The Difference

As a not-for-profit cooperative, we work differently than big banks. We return our earnings to you through better rates and lower fees. That means more money in your pocket. We recently added residual-based auto financing to help members manage today's higher vehicle costs. That's what being member-focused means to me.

My Commitment

I'm a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a University of Toledo graduate myself. I understand this community because I'm part of it. Along with our talented team including Chief Operations Officer Shawna Misiuda, Chief Financial Officer Nicole Farris, and Vice President of Lending Bev Trost, we're committed to serving you with integrity and innovation.

Our Board of Directors, led by Chairman Tom Trimble, guides us with wisdom and experience. Together, we're building on 60 years of success while looking forward to the future.

Conclusion

From 13 members to over 6,700. From limited services to full-spectrum banking. From a small campus office to managing approximately $100 million in assets. That's our story, but more importantly, it's your story.

Every day, I see how UTFCU makes a difference in people's lives. Students opening their first accounts. Faculty members buying homes. Alumni investing in their futures. That's what drives me and our entire team.

If you're part of the University of Toledo community and looking for a financial partner who truly understands your needs, I invite you to experience the credit union difference. Visit us at uoftfcu.com, call 419-534-3770, or stop by any of our campus locations. Let's talk about how we can help you achieve your financial goals.