Financial Wellness Partnership Between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Greater Iowa Credit Union

July 8, 2022

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach announced a new small-dollar lending partnership with Greater Iowa Credit Union, a central Iowa-based credit union serving more than 36,000 members. The partnership is part of the Financial Wellness at Work program and provides education and resources to Iowa State University faculty, staff, and postdocs.

“This partnership builds on the continued success of GICU in delivering individually-tailored loans to meet the specific and changing needs of Iowans,” said Julie Willse, Vice President of Member Service with GICU.

“Our hope with the Wellness at Work Small Dollar Loan Program is to make a difference for any Iowa State University employee who may need help getting through a financial situation they are facing, especially for someone who may have limited access to credit,” said Suzanne Bartholomae, assistant professor and state extension specialist. “This small dollar loan program would be an alternative choice for employees and a way for them to avoid the high costs of borrowing from someplace like a payday loan lender.”

GICU was founded in 1932 by a group of Iowa State University employees and the two organizations have enjoyed a close relationship. “We are excited to continue our support of Iowa State University faculty and staff,” said Scott Zahnle, CEO of Greater Iowa Credit Union. “People are at the heart of everything we do and we are thrilled to further our mission of making financial stability attainable for everyone.”

The innovative Wellness at Work Small-Dollar Loan program will be made available to Iowa State University employees who find themselves in need of a small loan to help them address a short-term financial situation. The Financial Wellness at Work program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation through a partnership with United Way Worldwide.

About Greater Iowa Credit Union

Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, Greater Iowa Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative offering a full range of financial services to people in communities throughout Iowa. The credit union was founded in 1932 by Iowa State University buildings and grounds crew employees and has since grown to $667 million in assets and serves 36,000 people worldwide. They are committed to advancing positive change and financial empowerment in a socially conscious way to promote financial inclusion. For more information, visit GICU.org.

About Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

ISU Extension and Outreach builds a strong Iowa by engaging all Iowans in research, education, and extension experiences to address current and emerging real-life challenges.