NEW YORK, NY, October 20, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Rehearsals, the leading platform to predict marketing outcomes by simulating AI twins of real people, launched Human Behavior Bench in partnership with Google DeepMind and Kaggle. It is the first public benchmark to determine how well an AI model is able to predict and understand human preference and action.

Looking at where AI development is headed, coding and task completion-based agents are a nearly solved problem but alignment to humanity’s values is far off. When OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and SpaceXAI launch a new model, there hasn’t been a public benchmark that determines a model's understanding of humanity, until today.

“The industry focus of 2026 in AI was agents that complete long running tasks and mastering software engineering. Our bet for 2027 and beyond is a re-focus on values and cultural alignment to humanity as AI becomes more personal. This is the reason we co-created Human Behavior Bench with Google DeepMind,” said Liam Bolling, CEO and co-founder of Rehearsals.

This initial version of the benchmark was created using Rehearsals’ human research platform to collect interviews of 1,244 U.S. adults across 750 categories with 95,000 responses and an 80% private holdout group. At a high level, the benchmark exposed that today’s state of the art AI models miss critical categories of human understanding: health, habits, decision making and values. 

Here are the raw model results

Prediction System — Distribution Agreement (0 to 100):

• Rehearsals Engram 1.0: 94.1
• Gemini 4 Argon: 80.6
• GPT-5.6 Sol: 79.5
• Claude Opus 5.5: 79.3
• Gemini 3.8 Flash: 79.1
• GPT-6 Astra: 79.0
• Grok 4.6: 76.2

The gaps between the scores show the assumptions AI models make about humanity. AI models think most people are less aware, universally frugal and generally lazier than they really are. A few examples:

• AI thinks most people over 65 don’t watch short form videos. In reality: 80% did last week.
• AI thinks only half of 55 to 64 year olds would keep their plan after a $4 hike. In reality: 70% do.
• AI thinks 30% of parents with toddlers do the cooking. In reality: Around 66%.
• AI thinks 5% of older Midwest shoppers tap their phone to pay. In reality: 25%.

More results, findings and updates are available on the interactive benchmark site: Rehearsals Human Behavior Bench. The benchmark is also hosted on Kaggle so any company or individual can score their latest model.

Rehearsals Engram 1.0

Rehearsals built the Human Behavior Bench as the scorecard for Rehearsals Engram, the company’s internal model, which it is previewing today with select partners. Rehearsals Engram is a large language model that has been trained on hundreds of thousands of hours of video and audio interviews to better understand and predict observed human decision making and stated reasoning, all curated from Rehearsals’ human research platform. 

Rehearsals Engram has not been trained on any benchmark content and was trained on a separate set of human data. Rehearsals Engram 1.0 powers the predictions Rehearsals’ customers rely on to make business decisions.

What’s next

This first version of the benchmark is limited to the US and a smaller audience. The next version will include more participants, across four more countries and a broader spectrum of focus areas. Rehearsals expects the new version to launch before the end of 2026.

About Rehearsals

Rehearsals (Deep Prediction Inc.) is an AI consumer research platform that predicts marketing outcomes by simulating AI twins of real people. It is the only simulation platform with its own foundation model, Rehearsals Engram, and its own first-party human panel. Marketing, consumer insights and product teams use Rehearsals to test pricing, messaging, ad creative and product concepts in 30 minutes. Rehearsals is backed by Andreessen Horowitz Speedrun, 25madison, Plug and Play Ventures and Factorial Fund, with angel investors from OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Scale AI. For more information, visit runrehearsals.com.

Disclaimer

The Human Behavior Bench leaderboard results and performance metrics reported were conducted publicly by Rehearsals (Deep Prediction Inc.) and DeepMind using the Kaggle platform. Kaggle allows the general public to see the benchmark data. A portion of the benchmark data is public while most is private to maintain the validity of the benchmark. This release contains forward-looking statements regarding planned product changes and international expansion goals, which are subject to change. All third-party company names, brand logos, and model names, including Google DeepMind, Kaggle, OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceXAI, are trademarks of their respective owners, and their inclusion in this release as well as the benchmark webpage does not constitute an endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship of Rehearsals or its products.

Media Contact

Liam Bolling
CEO, Rehearsals
liam@deepprediction.ai

SAN JOSE, CA, October 20, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- 100% PURE®, the clean beauty brand known for fruit-pigmented makeup and skincare made with botanical ingredients, announced today that it has been named No. 1 Clean Beauty Brand in the 2026 Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards. 

Founded in 1999, 100% PURE was started by Susie Wang, a cosmetic chemist who patented a way to stabilize Vitamin C so it stays potent. While making products for major cosmetic companies, she found that toxic chemicals were common and claims about animal testing were often misleading. She started 100% PURE to offer an honest alternative. 

Today, the brand colors its makeup with antioxidant-rich fruit and plant pigments instead of synthetic dyes. It also bans more than 2,870 ingredients, including all PFAS ("forever chemicals"), microplastics, and silicones. Every product is developed and tested in the company's own lab and manufacturing facility, which runs on solar power and is ISO 22716 certified. That gives the brand full control over quality from formula to finished product. 

"Every ingredient we use, every label we print and every product we make in our solar-powered lab is a choice to put people and the planet first," said Ric Kostick, CEO of 100% PURE. "That this recognition comes from Newsweek's readers, the people who use our products, makes it especially meaningful. Being voted the number one clean beauty brand tells us that customers care about what goes into their makeup and skincare. And it tells us they don't believe they should have to give up performance to get it." 

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards recognize standout businesses, brands, and experiences across a wide range of consumer categories. Nominees are selected by Newsweek editors and panelists, with readers and consumers then invited to vote for their favorites. The results determine each nominee’s final placement within its respective category.

The 2026 program highlights leading companies across numerous industries, including the Best Clean Beauty Brand category, where 100% Pure ranked first.

"Each year, the Readers’ Choiceᵀᴹ Awards celebrate the best of the best, as chosen by the people who matter most — our readers," said Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham. "We’re proud to recognize those organizations that continue to raise the bar for quality, innovation, and customer experience."

About 100% PURE

100% PURE® is a clean beauty brand based in San Jose, California, and was founded in 1999. The company makes fruit-pigmented makeup, skincare, hair care and body care. Its formulas are cruelty-free, mostly vegan and list every ingredient on the label. 100% PURE develops and makes its products in its own solar-powered facility. Its ingredient standard bans more than 2,870 substances, including all PFAS and microplastics. The company's mission is to create the healthiest products possible while protecting and benefiting animals and the environment. Learn more at 100percentpure.com.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit newsweek.com.

Media Contact

Loan Su
loan.su@puritycosmetics.com

CHICAGO, IL, October 20, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Today, Laura Geller Beauty, the color cosmetics brand known for its makeup made for mature skin, announced a new partnership with the Chicago Bulls.

This partnership signifies the joining of two passionate, highly engaged communities, providing Laura Geller Beauty a chance to connect with consumers in one of its largest U.S. markets. Through the partnership, Laura Geller Beauty will have a season-long presence in the United Center during Bulls home games. Fans will see Laura Geller Beauty’s LED branding across the arena while also having the opportunity to take part in one of their three gameday activations during the season with fan experiences, product sampling, and more.

While professional basketball has long been marketed toward men, women represent an often-overlooked part of the NBA audience, making up roughly 40% of the league's total fanbase. This diverse engagement is especially visible for iconic franchises like the Chicago Bulls, who currently hold a 49% national popularity rating and rank as the most popular basketball team among women in the United States, according to YouGov's third-quarter 2026 data. This includes mature women, the core of Laura Geller Beauty's consumer base. Since 2021, Laura Geller has specifically marketed its products to this demographic and has featured women over 40 exclusively in its marketing campaigns, website content, and social media.

"Chicago has always been one of our biggest and most enthusiastic markets, and Bulls fans have an incredible sense of passion and loyalty that reminds me so much of our own community," says Laura Geller, the brand’s founder. "Women are passionate sports fans too, and that absolutely includes women over 40. I love that this partnership gives us an opportunity to show up for them in a space where they’re already so engaged."

Off the court, Laura Geller Beauty and the Bulls will appear on each other’s digital and social media channels throughout the season. Fans can expect co-branded content with the Swingin' Seniors — the Bulls’ iconic dance team consisting exclusively of women 60 or older. The brand will also be featured in videos starring the Bulls' mascot Benny The Bull, one of the most popular mascots in professional sports with nearly 6 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Laura Geller Beauty will also host a digital sweepstakes offering the chance to win a VIP beauty experience at a home game, with other prizes, further connecting Bulls fans with the brand throughout the season.

"As a DTC-focused brand, so much of our growth has been driven by e-commerce and performance marketing, so opportunities to connect with our customers face-to-face are especially meaningful," adds Geller. "This partnership is an exciting step into a new kind of marketing for us and allows us to broaden our horizons while creating a more personal connection with the women we serve."

About Laura Geller Beauty

New York-based makeup artist Laura Geller launched her namesake brand in 1997 with a mission of demystifying the daily makeup routine and creating transformational products that bring joy back to beauty. The brand is a pioneer in artisan-crafted baked makeup, delivering exceptional coverage and finishes for all skin types. As the brand's foolproof, easy-to-use makeup is well-known for its remarkable ability to flatter and enhance mature skin, Laura Geller Beauty has exclusively featured women over 40 since 2021. Laura Geller Beauty products are available on QVC, LauraGeller.com, Amazon, Ulta.com, Sephora.com, Macys.com, and other select retailers. For more information, visit laurageller.com.

Media Contact

Alison Brod Marketing & Communications
laurageller@abmc-us.com

ST. LOUIS, MO, October 20, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Today, the Alliance for Affordable Vision Care (AAVC) released a report based on survey findings revealing broad agreement among consumers and employers on the value of vision coverage and the importance of keeping vision care affordable and accessible.

The report, "Keeping Vision Care Within Reach," shows how vision coverage helps consumers manage costs and access needed care, while employers view it as an important benefit that supports employee health and well-being and strengthens the overall workforce benefits package. At the same time, both groups expressed concern about potential legislative changes that could increase costs or undermine the benefits people value today.

"The report shows that while consumers and employers may view vision care from different perspectives, they reach the same conclusion: Vision coverage works. It helps keep care affordable and accessible, delivers real value to families and employers, and should be preserved," said Dr. Mary Anne Murphy, AAVC spokesperson. "As an optometrist and private practice owner for more than 20 years, I have seen firsthand how critical vision coverage is to connecting patients to the eye care they need while keeping costs within reach."

Vision Coverage Delivers Value While Supporting Overall Health

Consumers point to savings and health benefits, while employers value vision coverage as a benefit that supports employee well-being and delivers strong value.

Key Findings:

• 90% of employers are satisfied with the value of vision benefits for employees.
• 74% of employers rate their vision coverage as a good or excellent value relative to cost.
• Overall, covered adults report high satisfaction across a spectrum of vision benefits offerings, including coverage meeting their needs (82%) and protection from full out-of-pocket costs (77%), suggesting that vision benefits deliver on what consumers value.
• 80% of consumers say regular eye exams are important to maintaining overall health, and 67% are aware that eye exams can detect signs of chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

When Vision Care Costs Rise, People Seek Less Care 

The report also highlights the important role affordability plays in whether people ultimately receive needed care. Cost remains a prominent barrier, particularly for adults without vision coverage.

Key Findings:

• 89% of consumers with coverage say affordability matters to them, and 78% say vision coverage is important to their overall financial standing.
• 84% of consumers without coverage who experienced an unmet vision need but did not seek care say cost was the main reason or a contributing factor.
• Adults without vision coverage are twice as likely to skip an eye exam altogether as those with coverage due to cost.

The report points to a simple truth: people do not stop needing vision care when costs rise. In many cases, they delay or go without it. When care is postponed, treatable conditions may go undetected until they become more serious, leading to worse outcomes for patients and increased health care costs.

Consumers and Employers Want Affordable Coverage Preserved

Findings demonstrate that both consumers and employers are concerned about potential legislative or public policy changes that could increase costs, reduce access, or weaken the value that vision coverage provides today.

Key Findings:

• 74% of consumers and 83% of employers say elected officials should prioritize keeping vision care affordable for working families.
• 60% of covered adults are concerned that policy changes could increase out-of-pocket costs or narrow provider choice.
• 56% of employers are concerned about policy changes that could increase their organization’s vision benefit costs.

"Employers of all sizes, along with their employees and families, are looking for ways to manage rising health care costs, and vision coverage is proving its value by helping keep care affordable and within reach," said Ruben Guerra, Board Chair of the Latin Business Association and AAVC member. "Yet legislation being considered in statehouses across the country puts affordability at risk for many. The research shows that consumers and employers alike recognize the value of vision coverage and do not want changes that could drive up costs or make care harder to access."

About the Report

"Keeping Vision Care Within Reach" is based on a consumer survey conducted online among 4,027 employed adults ages 21-64 enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance. The sample included 3,027 adults with vision coverage and 1,000 without vision coverage. The employer survey was conducted online among 201 benefits decision-makers at small and medium-sized employers that offer vision coverage. The sample included 100 respondents from businesses with 2-99 employees and 101 respondents from businesses with 100-999 employees. The surveys were conducted in July and August 2026 and commissioned by the Alliance for Affordable Vision Care, of which VSP Vision is a funder. The report, "Keeping Vision Care Within Reach," is available at affordablevisioncare.org/research.

About Alliance for Affordable Vision Care

The Alliance for Affordable Vision Care (AAVC) is a national coalition of organizations representing business, healthcare, labor, civic, and community interests dedicated to protecting access to affordable vision care for all Americans. The Alliance works to ensure that patients, employers, and families can make informed choices about their eye care, have access to strong provider networks, and advance health equity through preventive vision care. 

Media Contact

Patrick George
info@affordablevisioncare.org
+1 916-202-1982

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 20, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Clinical Maestro today announced the launch of VISION Plus, the second major release of its AI-native intelligence platform for pharmaceutical business operations, following the introduction of Source Plus in September 2026.

Building on the platform’s specialized AI architecture, proprietary pharmaceutical intelligence and differentiated data foundation, VISION Plus introduces comprehensive KPI automation, performance management and continuous vendor oversight for pharmaceutical companies and their external service providers.

Pharmaceutical companies increasingly depend on CROs and specialized providers, yet vendor performance management remains fragmented. KPIs are often collected in spreadsheets and manually assembled scorecards, while risks, audits, governance decisions and corrective actions are managed separately. VISION Plus connects these activities in one environment, integrating KPI management with vendor qualification, governance, risk, issues, audits, CAPAs and actions.

"A KPI turning red is only a signal. What matters is understanding why it changed, whether the pattern exists elsewhere, what risks or issues are connected to it, and what action followed," said Anca Copaescu, CEO of Clinical Maestro. "VISION Plus allows organizations to move beyond reporting KPIs toward understanding and governing vendor performance."

A Connected Approach to Vendor Performance

VISION Plus introduces standardized, version-controlled KPI libraries; configurable performance thresholds; automated data collection and review workflows; cross-vendor and cross-study analysis; and governance escalation capabilities. Sponsors gain greater consistency and traceability in oversight, while CROs benefit from a more structured and collaborative performance-management environment.

Maestro AI is embedded throughout these workflows, enabling users to investigate performance trends, analyze governance evidence, identify risks and generate Insight Reports, including Tier 1 Vendor Performance, CRO Category Risk Summary, Quarterly Governance Brief and Executive Vendor Health.

Expanding an AI-Native Intelligence Platform for Clinical Business Operations 

With Source Plus launched in September and now VISION Plus, Clinical Maestro is extending its AI-native intelligence architecture across the clinical outsourcing lifecycle. Built on nine years of specialized pharmaceutical business operations expertise, the platform combines proprietary AI agents, purpose-built data structures, accumulated industry knowledge, sourcing and governance methodologies, and benchmarking intelligence with customer-specific organizational data.

Unlike generic AI assistants added to traditional SaaS applications, Maestro AI is embedded directly into specialized business workflows, enabling users to interpret pharmaceutical-specific information, analyze complex relationships, identify patterns and generate actionable insights.

"Source Plus introduced our AI-native intelligence platform in September. With VISION Plus, just weeks later, we are demonstrating how that architecture extends across clinical business operations," said Paulo Carvalho, chief operating officer of Clinical Maestro. "Our differentiation is not simply AI. It is nine years of pharmaceutical expertise, specialized workflows and data intelligence, now activated through proprietary AI agents. We are building a fundamentally different kind of technology company."

About Clinical Maestro

Clinical Maestro is an AI-native intelligence technology company specializing in pharmaceutical business operations. Its platform combines proprietary AI agents, pharmaceutical expertise, specialized data intelligence and connected workflows to support clinical development planning, R&D sourcing, vendor governance and financial oversight. For more information about VISION Plus or to request a demonstration, visit clinicalmaestro.com.

Media Contact

Ema Hafner
Marketing Director
ehafner@clinicalmaestro.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 20, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- AI can generate an image in seconds. But can it produce work a professional designer would actually ship to a client?

AI innovation company SILVERSIDE and Hyde, an AI start up which brings model sovereignty to enterprises, have built AtelierBench, a first-of-its-kind benchmark designed to evaluate AI against the real-world judgment and workflows of professional creatives.

While most AI benchmarks score a single image against a short prompt or crowd taste, SILVERSIDE and Hyde test AI against real client briefs, expert judgment-based scoring criteria, and the multi-step workflows designers actually use. The goal is to answer a question that will become increasingly important as AI takes on a larger role in creative production: can AI meet the professional bar, rather than simply generate creative output?

"AI has gotten incredibly good at making things, but making something and knowing whether it’s good are two very different skills," said PJ Pereira, founder of SILVERSIDE. "Creative people make hundreds of decisions between receiving a brief and delivering the final work. We want to understand whether AI can learn to navigate those decisions too."

"Most AI evals are built around problems with a right answer," said Anirudh Sanga, co-founder and CEO of Hyde, "Creative work doesn't have one, and that's what makes it interesting. AtelierBench captures the judgment that separates good design work from great: can a model deliver an output, would a real design team actually ship it, and what did it cost to get there? That's a much more honest definition of 'great' at creative work, and once you can measure it, you can build models that are great at it."

AtelierBench shows professional design is far from saturated. Among the benchmark’s key findings:

• None of the models tested meet the professional bar. Weaker models often fail to execute design workflows at all, while even the strongest models miss quality details that matter to brands. As Atelier scores across granular quality dimensions, we see that models are weakest on precision, especially text and logos and staying true to reference images. A misspelled tagline, distorted logo, or off-brand change can make an output unusable, however good the rest is.
• Harness engineering improves performance to a degree, but after that gains plateau and costs keep rising. For instance, doubling the tool budget adds at most six percentage points of execution, and in some cases heavier setups cost more than 50% extra with no quality gain. Harnesses can actually make the strongest models worse.

For SILVERSIDE, which works with global brands to apply generative AI to commercial creative production, the benchmark addresses a practical challenge facing creative teams today. New models arrive constantly with technical scores and leaderboards, but those rankings reveal little about how well a model will perform against the realities of a professional creative brief.

For Hyde, the results reinforce the opportunities in continuous evals, model routing and post-training. Together, these can improve performance while giving enterprises more control over the models, data and IP that underpin their AI workflows.

"Ultimately, creatives don't need another score telling them how powerful a model is," Pereira added. "They need to know whether it can help them make better work."

About SILVERSIDE

SILVERSIDE is an AI innovation lab helping the world’s leading brands revolutionize their marketing ecosystems. Founded in San Francisco, SILVERSIDE brings together creative technologists, strategists and builders to combine human creativity with cutting-edge AI. The company partners with brands including Coca-Cola, Amazon, Sephora, Panasonic, BMW and others to create ambitious AI-powered content, build scalable creative systems and transform how marketing organizations work. Learn more at silverside.ai.

About Hyde

Hyde enables enterprises to transition from rented to sovereign AI. Through its training platform and forward-deployed approach, Hyde works with organizations to build private evaluations, and fine-tune and deploy specialized models using enterprise data and expertise. Models built using Hyde have outperformed the frontier on accuracy, latency and cost. Hyde is backed by Bain Capital Ventures and General Catalyst, with AI engineers from Palantir, Deepmind, and Optiver. Learn more at hyde.ai.

Media Contact

Emma Swanson
Daughter Comms
emma@daughtercomms.co
+1 716-225-1186

MODESTO, CA, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Valley First Credit Union, a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative serving more than 81,000 members across 12 counties in California’s Central Valley, provides commercial financing for local small businesses, including microloans of less than $50,000 to support smaller businesses with straightforward financing needs.

The Modesto-based credit union is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a U.S. Treasury Department designation for organizations that serve economically distressed communities, and is a U.S. Small Business Administration Preferred Lender. Valley First is also designated as a Juntos Avanzamos credit union, part of a national network focused on financial inclusion in Latino and immigrant communities. 

“The Central Valley is California’s best-kept secret,” said Kathryn Davis, president and CEO of Valley First Credit Union. “It’s one of the most rural parts of the state with lots of small farming communities. However, the area is growing rapidly because it’s less expensive, making it easier to do things like buy a home and raise a family. At the same time, there are not many banking options here for small businesses and low-to-moderate income consumers.”

Since 1949, Valley First has played a crucial role in the region’s economy, investing in the success of both its members and their communities. The credit union provides everyday financial products such as checking accounts, auto and home loans, and credit cards. Unlike a bank, however, any profits the credit union makes are reinvested to benefit its members.

“It’s not just about offering lower fees and better rates,” said Davis. “It’s about bringing more value into our members’ lives. As a member-owned cooperative, we’re not thinking about making more money for a few high net worth shareholders. We’re thinking about all of our members and how we can help someone who has $500 in their checking account.”

These deep community relationships have earned Valley First widespread recognition, including “Best Of” honors from readers of 209 Magazine, Modesto Bee, and other local publications. For Davis, it’s the real-life impact of these community connections that matters most.

“We’re in the people business,” said Davis. “When you wake up every morning knowing you’re going to do something that matters, it gives you a sense of purpose. We get to help our members and their communities every day.”

Growing the Central Valley Economy

The credit union’s commitment to strengthening local communities extends beyond consumer banking and into Valley First’s commercial lending efforts. The credit union provides a range of commercial banking and lending services to the region’s many small businesses.

“Business funding is important in every community, but it’s particularly needed in the Central Valley,” said Davis. “The big banks can be reluctant to extend credit to local businesses here, because they don’t see how all the pieces of these rural economies fit together. We live and work in these communities, and we understand what they need to thrive. We see the impact of these loans every day.”

About Valley First Credit Union

Valley First Credit Union is a $1.110 billion, member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative providing quality financial services to 80,000 members in the growing and diverse communities of Calaveras, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sacramento, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties. With eight branches throughout the Central Valley, the credit union is committed to banking with a purpose — to better the financial lives of the people and businesses in the communities we call home. For more information, visit valleyfirstcu.org.

Media Contact

lsansen@valleyfirstcu.org

TULSA, OK, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Oklahoma Central Credit Union (OCCU) is marking 85 years of serving Oklahomans in 2026, continuing a community-focused approach that now includes an employee volunteer program averaging more than 2,600 hours of service annually.

Through the program, OCCU employees receive 40 paid hours to volunteer with organizations of their choosing. CEO Gina Wilson says approximately 85% to 90% of employees participate each year. The credit union also supports organizations including Children’s Miracle Network and Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma through fundraisers, donations and other outreach.

From Broken Arrow to Owasso, OCCU centers every decision on community well-being. CEO Gina Wilson believes this approach is the least she and her team can do for the people who support them.

“Our success comes from the communities we serve,” says Wilson, who served in about every position from teller to business developer before stepping into her current role in 2002. “We pay that back by improving the financial well-being of our members as well as the places they live and work. There’s nothing better than helping someone buy their first home or assisting a business owner in getting a small business loan.”

As a member-owned, not-for-profit institution, OCCU reinvests its resources into superior products catered to the unique needs of the Tulsa area. With low-interest lending, high-interest accounts, and more, individuals and businesses have access to the financial support they need. Through OCCU’s partnerships, members have access to even more offerings, such as financial planning via an alliance with LPL Financial.

This care is not confined to the individual level, with OCCU’s support extending to the surrounding communities where members live, work, and play. The credit union directly supports organizations like Children’s Miracle Network and Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma through outreach like fundraisers and donations.

When Wilson noticed one of her employees regularly using PTO to volunteer, she created a volunteer service program. Through the program, employees are provided 40 paid hours to volunteer with any organization of their choosing.

“About 85% to 90% of our employees are volunteering every year, and through this program, we’re averaging over 2,600 hours a year in community service,” says Wilson. “Our credit union is the first to be called if someone in the community needs us. We love this city, and somebody always steps up.”

From the Inside Out

What elevates the OCCU member experience above all else, says Wilson, is the warm welcome provided by the credit union’s employees. Prioritizing respect and open communication, the team provides each member with the personalized service they need to thrive in their financial lives.

Making this level of attention and care possible is the support team members receive from the credit union themselves. Wilson and her colleagues have crafted a culture that encourages participation and growth. No matter someone’s position at OCCU, their opinions and suggestions are all held to the same high regard. This has led to an extremely low turnover, which means members get to see the same familiar faces as the years go by.

“We’re always investing in our employees because they are who create an amazing experience for those we serve. When members do business with us, they are never just an account number,” says Wilson. “As we move into the future, we’re always looking for new ways to help our team, members, and communities thrive.”

“Our success comes from the communities we serve. We pay that back by improving the financial well-being of our members as well as the places they live and work,” said Gina Wilson, CEO of OCCU.

About Oklahoma Central Credit Union

The Mission of Oklahoma Central Credit Union (OCCU) is to make a difference in the lives of our employees, members and the communities we serve. OCCU has helped Oklahomans meet their financial goals, solve problems and turn opportunities into accomplishments since 1941. For more information, visit oklahomacentral.creditunion.

Disclaimer

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Oklahoma Central Credit Union (OCCU) and LPL Financial are separate entities. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are not NCUA insured, not credit union guaranteed, not credit union deposits or obligations, and may lose value.

Media Contact

Kathleen Manning
kmanning@occu.org

SAN DIEGO, CA, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Mission Federal Credit Union (Mission Fed), the largest member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution exclusively serving San Diego County, is marking 65 years of serving the financial needs of San Diegans. The credit union has more than $7 billion in assets, over 330,000 members, and 34 local branches, according to the organization’s current company information.

Alongside its financial services, Mission Fed provides more than $1 million each year to community organizations throughout San Diego County and supports local causes through employee volunteerism. The organization’s community involvement includes educational institutions, the San Diego Food Bank, the San Diego Humane Society, Junior Achievement, Girl Scouts of San Diego, and so many more.

In San Diego, with its high cost of living, having a handle on financial matters is critical. Credit unions — not-for-profit organizations owned by members — can help bridge the gap by helping members manage debt, learn to build a budget, how to buy the right home, plus how to plan for Medicare and retirement.

“At Mission Fed, we focus on financial resilience so we can serve our members through good and bad times,” said Doug Wright, who became president and CEO in 2024 after serving as CFO for eight years. “We’re trying to provide the education, advice, and solutions to help people navigate a challenging economy where wages for many aren’t keeping up with costs like gas, food, and electricity.”

From standard offerings like checking and savings accounts, auto loans, and mortgages to full wealth management, insurance protection and legacy planning, Mission Fed serves members throughout the entirety of their lives. Wright believes that simplifying these complex financial matters is crucial to improving the financial lives of members. Whether members prefer to meet us in a branch or by phone, or a digital approach, all the information they need to make the best decision is provided in an informative and easy-to-understand way.

At the center of Wright’s strategic vision for Mission Fed is a people-centered culture, both for employees and members. When it comes to securing the best outcomes for each group, he believes that success for one is success for all.

“We are here to help members achieve what matters most to them, from everyday needs to lifelong dreams,” said Wright. “We strongly believe that our employees drive member success. By supporting our own people as much as we can, they can better help members achieve their goals.”

A Legacy of Giving Back

Every year, Mission Fed provides more than $1 million to community organizations throughout San Diego County. Support doesn’t end with a check, however, the donations of time and talent are equally prioritized. The team donates their time to support multiple causes.

On an individual level, Wright is also deeply committed to community causes. This can be traced to his parents, who shared a passion for community care with each of their children. Doug’s father, a small-town pediatrician, would not come home until late in the evening most days, something Wright didn’t understand as a child. He later learned that his father would spend his time outside of standard working hours serving migrant children, free of charge, who lived in farm labor camps. His mother also perceived a community need and started a school for kids experiencing developmental challenges.

Today, Wright utilizes his position as president and CEO to uplift members of his team, which translates to real change for members and the communities they live in.

“I can’t help but fall in love with every cause we support,” said Wright, who has been involved with a wide variety of community organizations from United Cerebral Palsy to Junior Achievement. “What inspires me is determining how I can support our team and how that translates into creating the most positive impact on our members’ lives and in the San Diego community.”

About Mission Federal Credit Union

Mission Federal Credit Union (Mission Fed) is the largest member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution exclusively serving San Diego County. Mission Fed enhances the lives of its members through financial education and services, with a focus on financial empowerment and fostering economic inclusion. Banking at Mission Fed means doing good for San Diego.

Mission Fed gives money back to our local communities, has helped hundreds of nonprofits and vital causes, and cultivates enduring relationships with community partners.

Mission Fed has served the financial needs of San Diegans for 65 years through checking, savings, loans, credit cards, investment and insurance services, and other financial offerings. Mission Fed has more than $7 billion in assets, over 330,000 members, 34 convenient local branches, 30,000 fee-free CO-OP ATMs nationwide, and free mobile and online banking services.

The credit union is regularly named a Top Workplaces USA winner and has placed in the top five California credit unions on Forbes’ Best-In-State Credit Unions list. Mission Fed is also the first San Diego-based credit union that received the “Juntos Avanzamos” designation, honoring its commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic consumers. Federally insured by NCUA and Equal Housing Lender. Must meet membership and account criteria. Loans subject to approval. To learn more, visit www.missionfed.com.

Media Contact

courtneyp@missionfed.com

MADISON, WI, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Summit Credit Union, a Wisconsin member-owned financial cooperative with $8.7 billion in assets, more than 284,445 members and 58 locations, reported $87 million in financial benefits to members for the 12 months ending December 31, 2025, compared with doing business with an average Wisconsin bank. That equates to about $676 per household, according to a customized analysis by America’s Credit Unions Economics & Statistics Department.

The 91-year-old credit union has also spent the past two decades focusing on helping women build financial security. Women are more likely to retire in poverty, not because of poor choices, but built-in barriers. Income disparities, caregiving responsibilities and longer lifespans all play a role [1]. And financial systems aren’t designed for the realities of women’s lives.

Designing Financial Progress Around Real Life

“Our purpose is to help women and their families build long-term financial security and avoid poverty in retirement,” says Kim Sponem, President and CEO of Summit. “It’s about so much more than access to products. It’s about having the clarity and trusted guidance to act with confidence and build the future they want.” 

Many people don’t realize how much their financial trajectory can change until they see a different path forward. For one Summit member, a single mother of six, that shift was life-changing. “Instead of feeling like I was drowning,” she shares, “Summit helped me feel something else — control. I wasn’t just taking control of my finances. I was taking control of me.” 

When people keep more of what they earn, momentum grows — and so do the possibilities available to them.

Last year, Summit returned $87 million [2] in financial benefits to members compared to doing business with an average Wisconsin bank — about $676 per household. The credit union is ranked first [3] in delivering more value back to its members than any other credit union in its asset group nationwide.

The real measure isn’t savings alone. It’s what those savings make possible.

Expanding Access to Wealth

“When women build wealth and create more opportunities for themselves, such as homeownership, the ripple effects show up everywhere — in families, businesses and communities,” says Sponem. 

Summit is the No. 1 Mortgage Lender in Wisconsin [4].

For many women, buying a home is about what comes next: stability, options and a stronger future. Yet women purchasing their first home typically make smaller down payments than men [5] and greater financial and personal sacrifices [6] to achieve it, in part because 80% [7] of single-parent households are led by women. 

For Jaclyn and her family, homeownership felt like a distant goal. Working with a Summit financial coach, they identified practical steps that turned it into something achievable. “We uncovered where we could make meaningful changes to own a home,” Jaclyn says. 

“We’re not just here for a transaction,” Sponem says. “When you design around how women move through life and experience money, you create better outcomes for everyone.” 

That impact extends to communities and local economies. Summit has been the No. 1 SBA Lender among credit unions in Wisconsin for 15 years [8].

After two decades of running a boutique, Christine faced rising rent, uncertainty and the possibility of closing her business. When her longtime bank denied financing to purchase a nearby property, she turned to Summit. She found something different: belief, respect and encouragement. With her daughter, she secured financing from Summit and purchased the property. She credits the experience with creating a new chapter for both her family and business — one built on ownership, stability and opportunity.  

The Ripple Effect of Financial Confidence

“Financial security isn’t built in a single moment,” Sponem says. “It’s built through the decisions people make over time and the opportunities they create for themselves along the way.”

For more than 90 years, Summit has helped members build wealth, achieve goals and strengthen long-term financial security. It’s a belief rooted in a simple idea: When more people see a path forward, more becomes possible.

Notes and Sources 

1. “The Retirement Income Gap Leaves Women Aged 65+ at Higher Risk of Poverty than Men,” Institute for Women’s Policy Research, May 2024.
2. Savings over the average cost of doing business with a for-profit banking institution in WI. Your savings may vary based on your creditworthiness and other factors. America’s Credit Unions Economics & Statistics Department, customized analysis of member benefits for Summit Credit Union, for 12 months ending December 31, 2025.
3. Callahan & Associates Return of the Member report, Q1-Q4 2025.
4. The Wisconsin’s #1 Mortgage Lender designation is based on the number of loans in 2024, gathered from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data compiled annually by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The results of the data were obtained through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website. LEI: 254900NTAC4H10MGSU23.
5. “The housing gender gap: Why women still face roadblocks in buying homes and building home equity,” Bankrate, 2025.
6. National Association of Realtors, 2026.
7. United States Census Bureau, 2022.
8. SBA Lender of the Year Award for Credit Unions as awarded by the Small Business Administration of Wisconsin in 2025.

About Summit Credit Union

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $8.7 billion in assets and has more than 284,445 members and 975 employees across 58 locations throughout Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union. For more information, visit summitcreditunion.com.

Media Contact

Mary Fanning-Penny
mary.fanning-penny@summitcreditunion.com

POCATELLO, ID, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) expanded its community and financial-education efforts in 2025, contributing more than 42,000 volunteer hours and participating in more than 2,500 community events across its growing footprint. More than 2,800 of those volunteer hours were dedicated specifically to financial literacy programs, and the credit union also provides an online financial-education platform free of charge to every high school within its footprint through a grant.

The activity reflects ICCU’s broader people-first philosophy as the credit union continues to grow beyond Idaho into Washington and Arizona. ICCU now supports more than 825,000 members with products and services ranging from checking and savings accounts to mortgage services, business banking, and wealth management.

Investing in Member Communities

As a not-for-profit, ICCU answers to its members, who are part owners in its success. Earnings are generally reinvested in the credit union, with dividends paid in the form of lower rates on loans, higher earnings on deposit accounts and fewer fees. But some earnings also make their way to external, philanthropic causes, particularly areas that help build stronger, more vibrant communities where members can flourish.

According to CEO Brenda Worrell, “Investing in our members means investing in the places they call home, and that can take many forms: sometimes it’s through volunteer work, sometimes through donations and sponsorships, and sometimes through education. We take a hard look at what people indicate they need and take our cues from there.”

That people-first philosophy has been part of ICCU since its Idaho inception in 1940 and has grown alongside the credit union’s geographic expansion. Its philanthropic support focuses on living essentials such as food, education, housing, and community experiences and spaces, while employees also contribute time through volunteer projects and community events.

Supporting Financial Literacy

While ICCU’s philanthropic support focuses on living essentials, the credit union also puts muscle behind financial literacy, where investments of time and expertise can reap benefits over the long term.

“Being able to make sound financial decisions is a critical life skill that contributes to stability for individuals and families and, by extension, their communities,” said Worrell. “It’s important to have a solid foundation, and it’s never too late to learn. I’m so grateful to our ‘Green Team’ for making financial education a priority.”

In 2025, the ICCU staff known affectionately as the “Green Team,” dedicated more than 2,800 volunteer hours to financial literacy programs. Such programs enable individuals to better understand their options and make informed decisions about money matters at every stage of life.

Additionally, as financial education is now a high school graduation requirement in some ICCU markets, the credit union is helping teachers access in-depth and engaging instructional materials. Through a grant, ICCU provides an online financial education program free of charge to every high school within its footprint.

Staying Engaged While Growing

ICCU has grown to support more than 825,000 members with personalized financial products and services including checking and savings accounts, mortgage services, business banking, and wealth management. As it has expanded, the credit union has continued building partnerships to address its communities’ needs, from advocating for accessible and affordable housing to assisting schools and nonprofits in achieving their goals, while its Green Team engages in random acts of kindness to spread smiles.

“ICCU has grown over the years,” Worrell noted, “and by always putting people first, we know we’re growing in the right direction.”

Learn more about ICCU and how its people-first philosophy shows through at iccu.com.

About Idaho Central Credit Union

Idaho Central Credit Union, known as ICCU, was organized as a state-chartered credit union in 1940 and has since grown to have over $15.8 billion in assets and serves over 840,000 members throughout Idaho, Washington and Arizona. ICCU offers a wide variety of financial products, including personal and business banking, mortgage services, wealth management, insurance, and more. ICCU is a full-service, federally insured financial institution and is ranked as a top credit union in the nation in returning value to its members. For an ICCU location near you, please visit iccu.com.

Media Contact

ICCU@finnpartners.com

CONROE, TX, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- The Bihm Firm, PLLC, which represents clients in divorce and family law matters throughout Montgomery County and surrounding Texas counties, has built its approach around preparing clients for both negotiated resolutions and the possibility of trial.

Led by managing shareholder Kate Bihm, whose legal experience spans more than two decades across prosecution, criminal defense, and family law, the firm emphasizes practical guidance, courtroom preparation, and matching clients with the appropriate level of legal support.

That approach also extends to how cases are staffed. Bihm says the firm’s associate attorneys allow clients to receive representation suited to the needs of their matter while helping manage legal costs.

Few people hire a family law and divorce attorney on their best day. They’re facing difficult questions about their children, finances, future, and relationships. Emotions run high, advice comes from every direction, and the decisions made in the weeks and months ahead can have lasting consequences.

For attorney Kate Bihm, helping people navigate some of life’s most difficult moments begins with offering practical, relevant advice. For some families, the issues are relatively amicable. For others, the circumstances are far more complex. In either case, “I want people to understand what they’re getting and why,” she says. “After meeting with us, people will know what to expect in the process and next steps. Our goal is to avoid any surprises throughout the process.”

In many ways, she compares the work to that of an oncologist. Some situations require aggressive intervention. Others require reassurance, perspective, and a realistic understanding of what is at stake. Knowing the difference, says Bihm, is one of the most important parts of the job.

And while she believes every client deserves competent representation and trustworthy counsel, she also feels that not every matter requires the most experienced attorney in the office. That’s one reason she values the firm’s associate attorneys, who help provide high-quality representation while allowing clients to manage legal costs.

For the Record

Then there’s the topic of going to court. Although many family law matters are resolved through negotiation, Bihm says preparation for and a willingness to go to trial often create leverage long before a case ever reaches the courtroom.

“You don’t want to discover your attorney isn’t comfortable in the courtroom when the stakes involve your children and your financial future,” she says. “Our reputation for tenacity, thoroughness, and excellence in the courtroom is why people come to us and have great settlements.”

More than two decades into her career, Bihm remains fascinated by the human side of her work. While not being board-certified in family law she draws on her years of experience that span prosecution, criminal defense, and family law, and continues to study the relationships, emotions, and decision-making that bring people to her office. Despite her willfulness — or perhaps because of it — she never loses sight of client experiences.

“We look at cases with clear eyes and a heavy heart,” she says. “These are their children and life savings. They are making some of the most important decisions of their lives, and we are deeply honored that they have chosen us during this time of crisis.”

Bihm understands the emotional toll and realizes the decisions involved can have lasting consequences.

“Clients arrive carrying fear, frustration, and competing narratives,” says Bihm. “They want to know what happens next, what they should do about it, and who they can trust.”

Bihm encourages individuals to be inquisitive, understand their options, and become knowledgeable consumers of legal services. She also believes compatibility matters. Not every attorney is the right fit for a client, and not every client is a match for the attorney. In Bihm’s case, she’s candid and upfront. She even owns a T-shirt that says, “I’m not for everyone.” But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t care.

About The Bihm Firm, PLLC

At The Bihm Firm, PLLC, we represent clients in divorce and family law matters with a focus on practical guidance, responsive service, and strong advocacy. Our firm handles cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, property division, and other family law issues throughout Montgomery County, Texas, and the surrounding cities and counties. Visit bihmfirm.com for more information.

Media Contact

Kate Bihm
kate@bihmfirm.com

CARLSBAD, NM, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Eddy Federal Credit Union, a member-owned financial institution serving more than 5,600 members in New Mexico’s Eddy County and their immediate families, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new 6,500-plus-square-foot building at 901 W. Pierce St. in Carlsbad. The facility replaces the credit union’s original branch and was designed with improved functionality, efficiency, and member service in mind.

The new building follows nearly 10 years of planning and gives Eddy Federal Credit Union a modernized space spanning its front lobby, member-service areas, and back offices. CEO Donna Davis led much of the branch redesign, providing direction on details including the color palette, interior textural elements, and exterior stone.

Member-Owned Banking for Eddy County

For those who live or work in New Mexico’s Eddy County, as well as their immediate families, Eddy Federal Credit Union is providing them with the financial resources they need, putting power into the hands of the people. As of 2026, the credit union has more than 5,600 members, all who are part owners. Answering to members and their communities rather than shareholders makes all the difference, shares Davis.

“Because we are a nonprofit, we’re able to offer our members lower rates on loans and higher rates on certificates of deposit,” she stated. “Our members own this credit union. They’re the reason we’re here.”

When Donna joined Eddy Federal Credit Union in 2000 as a loan officer, the institution held approximately $9 million in total assets. Over the past 26 years, it has grown steadily in size with assets now totaling $63 million. As a nonprofit financial institution, the credit union reinvests growth into benefits for members and the community at large — with giveback initiatives including organizations like the local hospital and children’s sports teams.

From various loan options and mortgages to checking and savings accounts for all stages of life, Eddy Federal Credit Union designs its services around helping members reach their financial goals. This means considering the methods members prefer, with both convenient digital options and personalized face-to-face services available.

“Some people, especially the younger generation, want the opportunity to take care of everything online,” said Davis. “Other members want to come in person and tell you about their life, their grandkids, or anything else on their mind. We love both.”

Davis has embraced innovation and strives to implement multiple new ideas each year so the credit union doesn’t stagnate. As she prepares the team for her eventual retirement, she feels proud to leave her mark on the institution she loves so much.

“This is the best place in the whole world to work,” said Davis. “We can positively impact so many lives, whether that’s by providing a loan they really need or just giving them advice. We’re blessed to be able to answer that calling. Our members own this credit union. They’re the reason we’re here,” Davis concluded.

About Eddy Federal Credit Union

Eddy Federal Credit Union is committed to making available products and services that enable members to meet their financial needs and reach their financial goals. The credit union emphasizes protecting member information while providing competitive financial products and services. For more information, visit eddyfederalcu.com.

Media Contact

ddavis@eddyfederalcu.com

KALAMAZOO, MI, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Advia Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative serving 200,000 members across Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, annually donates more than $1 million to more than 250 local organizations, specifically those focused on housing, food access, transportation, financial education, youth development, and workforce support. In 2025 alone, Advia employees also donated more than 8,000 volunteer hours to uplift key areas of community support.

“Our time and money are not onetime donations or logo placements. These are relationships built around shared goals to help strengthen the communities we all serve,” said Jeff Bolser, Chief Retail Officer at Advia Credit Union. “Advia is not just another place to keep an account or get a loan. We are a financial partner in your corner, helping members and communities thrive.”

Personal Service at Scale

“Our best work starts with listening,” said Bolser, which serves 200,000 members across Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. “We have the tools and technology to compete with large institutions, but our advantage is the ability to make banking feel personal.”

As a not-for-profit cooperative, Advia’s members are also its owners, leveraging their voices to help shape the future of the credit union. Whether a member seeks to reduce debt, build credit, purchase a home, plan for retirement, or achieve another financial goal, Advia professionals come to the table with a listening posture—poised to understand each member’s unique needs and offer solutions, not just products, to move them forward.

Real financial savings are created through opportunities such as the Advantage Plus Rewards program, which offers 5% on checking plus loan discounts, certificate of deposit premiums, and more. Members also save an average of $4,000 in lower interest payments on transferred loans.

Mortgage and home equity options are delivered with local servicing, no annual fees, and no prepayment penalties. First-time homebuyer programs may require little to no down payment. Credit card rewards come with up to 3% back on everyday purchases, strong fraud protection, and secure digital banking tools. Flexible savings options are designed to help members build stability and grow their money over time.

“The real value is not simply having a broad set of products; it’s helping members connect with the right solutions at the right times to maximize long-term financial well-being,” said Bolser. “For us, success is measured by whether our products help members save more, borrow smarter, and feel more confident about what comes next.”

Intentional Growth

With 34 locations — soon to be 37, with branches coming to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Clinton Township and Portage, Michigan — Advia expands strategically to serve specific communities that can most benefit from its offerings.

Employee culture is designed to foster personal and professional growth alongside the organization, delivered through strong compensation and benefits packages, flexible work options, and paid volunteer time.

With Advia’s broad reach, members have access to more than 35,000 fee-free ATMs and service centers nationwide. New video teller technology provides access during extended hours to a live representative, all from the convenience of the member’s car.

“When we grow into a new market, opening the doors is only the beginning,” said Bolser. “The real work is building relationships with local nonprofits, schools, businesses, and community leaders so we can understand where we can be most useful.”

About Advia Credit Union

For nearly a century, Advia Credit Union has empowered members across Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois with competitive financial solutions, personalized service, and community-focused values. As a member-owned cooperative, its purpose is simple: help members achieve more. Visit adviacu.org for more information.

Media Contact

Nancy Loftis
nloftis@adviacu.org

LANCASTER, SC, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Founders Federal Credit Union is expanding its presence across the Carolinas, including into larger metropolitan markets such as Spartanburg and Charlotte, while maintaining a local decision-making model designed to keep lending close to the communities it serves. Headquartered in Lancaster, South Carolina, Founders serves more than 294,000 members through a network of nearly 50 offices and reports more than $5.2 billion in total assets.

“Most of our growth happened in rural communities,” said Bruce Brumfield, CEO of Founders Federal Credit Union. “We take a lot of pride in continuing to serve those markets, even as other financial institutions have moved out of them. We want to give our members the same level of personal service and attention they would get from a small credit union. It doesn’t take a lot to show people that they matter.”

That approach reflects the credit union’s origins. Established in 1950 by employees at the Springs Mills cotton mill, Founders was formed to serve workers who often had limited access to traditional banking services. For more than 75 years, the credit union has built relationships with working families that often span generations.

“Helping people isn’t just our mission — it’s who we are,” said Brumfield. “We were formed to help folks that could not get banking services anywhere else because they were blue-collar textile workers. The heart and soul of our credit union is helping people.”

Much like a traditional bank, Founders provides everyday financial products such as checking accounts, credit cards, and auto and home loans. Unlike a bank, however, Founders is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative. Instead of passing its profits to shareholders, the credit union returns those earnings to members through better rates, lower fees, and enhanced services.

“There are those in the financial world who believe that you can’t make money while also helping people,” said Brumfield. “To them, all I can say is, ‘Look at our financial statements.’ Our structure works, and we’re never going to shy away from helping anyone.”

More Than Banking

As Founders has grown, its relationship-driven mission has expanded beyond traditional banking. Several years ago, the credit union learned that many members were struggling to find affordable options for Medicaid supplemental insurance. Those conversations resulted in the launch of Founders Insurance Services, whose dedicated agents help members evaluate life, health, auto, and homeowners coverage.

“Our financial planning division, Founders Wealth Management, started the same way,” said Brumfield. “We had members who needed help preparing for retirement and saving for college. We started looking for ways that we could make things easier for them. Now, we’re managing around $700 million in assets for those members.”

Brumfield says the purpose of these expanded services is to give members more resources to build stronger and more secure financial futures.

“We’re here to meet our members’ financial needs,” said Brumfield. “We want them to feel like they can relax because they’re with Founders.”

Local Decisions, Local Service

The same relationship-based approach extends to lending. Even as Founders moves into larger markets, the credit union says it has remained committed to keeping most loan decisions at the local-office level.

“We try to do everything at the local level, and almost every loan we make is reviewed and approved by the local office staff,” said Brumfield. “When someone’s AC breaks in the middle of a South Carolina summer, or they need to buy a new car to get to work, they can’t wait for someone in a corporate office to take a week to approve their loan. They need an answer now.”

That local approach is especially important for members who may have fewer conventional borrowing options. Roughly 35% of Founders’ loans are made to members with substandard credit. The credit union says those borrowers often benefit from having an established relationship with a local loan officer who understands their circumstances.

“Many of these folks are struggling with the day-to-day financial stuff,” said Brumfield. “To serve them effectively, you have to be there for them in person.”

Investing in Service

For Founders, local service and modern technology are complementary. The credit union continues to invest in mobile and online banking, its South Carolina-based contact center, and data-security tools intended to make service more accessible while protecting member information.

“We’re firm believers in meeting our members where they are,” said Brumfield. “If members prefer mobile or online banking, we want them to have the most secure and intuitive systems we can provide. If they need to call us for help, we want to make that process as smooth as possible. That’s why our contact center is located right here in South Carolina.”

Founders also uses AI-powered tools to help protect members from fraud and other security threats.

“Technology is one area where you can’t afford not to spend money,” said Brumfield. “If you fall behind, you’ll never catch back up.”

Founders extended that technology expertise beyond its own operations in 2020 by starting Founders Innovative Technology, which shares IT expertise with other credit unions and local businesses.

Giving Back

Helping members achieve financial security is only one part of Founders’ mission. The credit union also invests in the communities it serves through cash donations, volunteer support, financial education, and partnerships with local organizations.

“We believe that if you’re going to live and operate in a community, you have a social responsibility to do your part to make sure that community thrives,” said Brumfield. “That’s why we’re actively involved with community groups and local charities in every community that we serve.”

Founders supports causes and organizations across its footprint, from youth sports programs and local school districts to food banks, Habitat for Humanity, and Hospice and Community Care. The credit union is also a major sponsor of Camp Cole, a Columbia-based camp for children and teens with serious illnesses and disabilities.

The credit union also provides free financial literacy classes and other resources. Its outreach team works with audiences ranging from middle school students to college students, helping them build stronger financial habits and make informed financial decisions. Members who need personalized advice can also be connected with free financial counseling.

Whether through local lending, expanded financial services, technology, or community partnerships, Founders says each initiative reflects the same member-first philosophy that has guided the credit union for more than seven decades.

“We want to be the very best credit union that we can be, both for our current members and our future ones,” said Brumfield.

About Founders Federal Credit Union

The Founders Difference began in 1950 when a group of Springs Mills employees decided to do something to protect their colleagues from predatory loan sharks and moneymen, and improve the financial wellbeing of their neighbors. What began as an idea took root and flourished as the Springmaid Credit Union expanded throughout the tri-county area, helping our member-owners and their families save and borrow their way to financial security. Seventy years and a name change later, Founders Federal Credit Union is still proudly carrying on the tradition of looking out for our neighbors and working every day to ensure our communities are healthy and strong. Today, Founders serves over 295,000 members through 49 locations across two states and holds over $5 billion in assets. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, we strive to provide our members with better rates on savings and loans, friendly and personalized service, and a commitment to supporting our communities through financial education, scholarships, and other giving. Stop by to say hello and find out what the Founders Difference can mean for you! For more information, visit foundersfcu.com.

Media Contact

Nicki Nash
nicki.nash@foundersfcu.com

ORLANDO, FL, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Orlando Credit Union, founded in 1936 by City of Orlando employees, is marking 90 years of service in 2026. The member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative operates an eight-branch network and serves more than 27,000 members throughout Florida. The credit union has also expanded its reach through O Financial, a second brand designed to serve new markets beyond the Orlando area.

"Our history has given us grit," said Suzanne Weinstein, president and CEO of Orlando Credit Union. "We were founded during the Great Depression, and for more than 90 years we’ve remained focused on helping people build stronger financial futures. That’s our mission, and it continues to guide everything we do."

Members enjoy the same everyday financial services offered by traditional financial institutions — from checking accounts and credit cards to mortgages and small business banking. As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, Orlando Credit Union returns its success to members through competitive rates, lower fees, enhanced technology, and expanded services.

The credit union’s greater purpose, however, is to build lifelong relationships by empowering financial momentum and helping members navigate every stage of their financial lives.

"People come to us when they’re planning for college, buying a home, starting a business, or preparing for retirement," said Weinstein. "They also come to us when life takes an unexpected turn. Our role is to stand beside our members through every season, helping them become financially knowledgeable, secure, and positioned to build generational wealth."

Strengthening Central Florida Businesses

The same community-first philosophy also shapes Orlando Credit Union’s approach to commercial banking. The credit union provides an array of small business solutions, from commercial real estate lending to account service solutions. Its experienced team serves as trusted advisors, connecting local businesses with strategic resources and community partnerships.

"We want our business members to see us as a trusted partner with deep local market expertise," said Weinstein. "We’re invested in their long-term success because when local businesses thrive, our communities thrive. That’s the advantage of having a financial partner that understands the local market."

Those relationships become especially important during hurricanes and other natural disasters, Weinstein notes, when communities rely on trusted local partners throughout the recovery process.

A Commitment to Community

Beyond supporting members during times of crisis, the credit union also works to strengthen communities over the long term. As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Orlando Credit Union can provide financial services designed to benefit underserved communities throughout the state.

"Our CDFI certification enables us to do more for our membership and our communities," said Weinstein. "We’re able to access grant money to create new programs that benefit groups and small businesses that often struggle to find support."

Through the Orlando Credit Union Charitable Foundation, the credit union supports a wide range of charities and nonprofits, focusing on financial education, health and wellness, affordable housing, and programs that strengthen local families and neighborhoods.

"Whether we’re partnering with Habitat for Humanity, supporting local food banks, or mentoring first-time homebuyers, we’re investing in people," said Weinstein. "Homeownership creates stability, opportunity, and generational wealth. Helping members achieve those milestones reflects who we are and why we’ve served this community for more than 90 years."

About Orlando Credit Union

Founded in 1936 by 32 City of Orlando employees, Orlando Credit Union began with an initial deposit of $160 and has grown into a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative serving Central Florida. Membership is available to people who live, work, or worship in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Hillsborough counties, as well as businesses in those communities. Orlando Credit Union reinvests earnings into member value through competitive rates, lower fees, technology, and financial services designed to help members pursue their goals. Its vision is financial well-being for all, and its mission centers on building lifelong member relationships by empowering financial momentum. Orlando Credit Union is also certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). For more information, visit orlandocreditunion.org.

Media Contact

marinao@orlandocreditunion.org

VACAVILLE, CA, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Travis Credit Union (TCU), founded in 1951 to serve personnel at Travis Air Force Base, is marking its 75th year as it continues a digital transformation designed to meet the changing financial needs of members across Northern California. The member-owned, not-for-profit credit union has grown to nearly $6 billion in assets, serves more than 275,000 members, and operates 24 branches.

As part of that evolution, TCU has overhauled its online and mobile banking systems and added advanced security features intended to provide greater protection against fraud. The next phase focuses on personalization and digital engagement tools that the credit union says are intended to deliver more relevant guidance and a more proactive banking experience.

“We’re always evolving to meet the needs of our members,” said Kevin Miller, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union. “We were founded to serve those who serve our country. Then we served their families and later their communities. As their needs have grown and changed, we’ve grown and changed with them.”

That member-focused model also shapes TCU’s branch expansion and small-business lending. The credit union says local decision-making, SBA lending capabilities, and community partnerships allow it to support businesses in the markets it serves while maintaining both in-person and digital service.

The credit union offers the same range of financial products as a typical bank, from checking accounts to home loans. Unlike a bank, however, TCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative. Earnings are returned to members, rather than shareholders, through better rates, lower fees, and expanded services.

“Credit unions succeed by delivering a high level of service to our members,” said Miller. “We do more than offer better interest rates. People enjoy working with our team because we love helping our members achieve their goals.”

This member-driven philosophy has allowed TCU to expand steadily into new markets while becoming a trusted financial partner in the communities it serves. Each branch creates opportunities to become involved with community initiatives while helping strengthen the local economy through partnerships with area businesses.

“The credit union model resonates with small business owners,” said Miller. “They like that we’re an SBA lender and that we’re dedicated to reinvesting in the community. They also appreciate that our technology and local decision-making allow them to get quick answers on their loans. We’re able to work with them to find the right solutions. You can’t build that kind of business relationship with an algorithm.”

While relationships remain at the heart of the credit union’s approach, today’s members also expect digital tools that are every bit as responsive as in-person service.

Technology that Puts Members First

“We’re not running from change — we’re chasing it,” said Grant Karsas, vice president of digital experience. “We’re using technology to provide our members with the same benefits and features they’d receive from a big bank.”

TCU has completely overhauled its online and mobile banking systems, creating intuitive, user-friendly platforms that make it easy for members to handle their financial needs.

These upgrades include advanced security features that provide greater protection against fraud. The next phase of TCU’s digital transformation focuses on delivering the right experience at the right moment. Through investments in personalization and digital engagement tools, TCU is creating a more proactive banking experience that anticipates member needs, provides relevant guidance, and strengthens financial well-being.

For Karsas, investing in better technology is another way the credit union fulfills its 75-year commitment to members.

“Large financial institutions often have an advantage in scale, but credit unions have an advantage in purpose,” said Karsas. “Technology allows us to combine both. We’re investing in capabilities that make banking simpler, safer, and more personalized while staying true to the member-first values that have defined TCU for 75 years.”

About Travis Credit Union

Since 1951, Travis Credit Union has focused on improving the lives of our members. As a full-service financial institution, TCU helps members reach financial goals as their trusted local partner throughout their financial journey. Today, TCU is the 12th largest credit union in California, with 275,000 members and nearly $6 billion in assets. We use financial strength to champion financial education and advocacy, earning recognition at the national, state, and local levels. This includes being certified as a Great Place to Work in 2025 and 2026, being named one of Newsweek’s Best Regional Credit Unions in 2025, U.S. Air Force Distinguished Credit Union of the Year, and one of Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union.

Media Contact

kristin@piccadillyad.com

LIMASSOL, Cyprus, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- E-Sport Now, a new independent news platform dedicated to competitive gaming, officially launched earlier this month. Its mission is clear: to bring the rigor, credibility, and depth of professional sports journalism to esports.

At launch, the site covers Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Valorant, League of Legends, and Call of Duty in depth, with more titles being added later down the line, pairing daily reporting with live match coverage, tournament hubs, and data-driven rankings. Its ambition is clear: to become a go-to destination for everything in competitive gaming and one of the most trusted names in esports coverage.

Journalism by people who actually watch the games

The founding idea behind E-Sport Now is simple: the people reporting on esports should be the ones who follow it most closely. The editorial team watches the matches first and writes about them second. The focus is on the stories and numbers behind a result, not on headlines recycled from official announcements.

To back that up, the platform has committed to five core values that guide every article, stat, and profile: experience, depth, coverage, integrity, and passion. Every story is fact-checked before it goes live, coverage remains editorially independent, and any mistakes are corrected openly with a clear note on what changed. Reader feedback actively shapes the editorial agenda, from grand finals to emerging talent.

"We built E-Sport Now for the fans who stay up through the night to catch a deciding map," said Jonathan Nicholson, lead editor of E-Sport Now. "Speed matters in esports, but accuracy matters more. Our readers should never have to look elsewhere to understand why a result happened."

Key features at a glance

E-Sport Now goes beyond a classic news feed and combines editorial content with live data and reference hubs:

• Daily news across five core titles: Results, roster moves, transfers, and patch notes, complemented by in-depth analysis of major events, features, and interviews. Other titles are covered whenever something newsworthy happens.
• Live match center: Live ticker on the homepage shows ongoing scores and countdowns to upcoming matches, each linked to a dedicated match page.
• Tournament hubs: Tournament Spotlight presents active events with location, dates, prize pool, participating teams, and the progress of each stage at a glance.
• ESN Rankings: Proprietary power rating for teams in CS2, Valorant, League of Legends and Dota 2, showing form, win–loss records, win rates, and points, updated whenever results change. Player rankings add performance ratings and K/D statistics.
• Team, player, and transfer databases: Profiles include recent form, roster history, and the key stats that explain a slump or a breakout.
• Patches, updates, and guides: Patch analysis, meta breakdowns, and tier lists for competitive and ranked play.
• Fast search and newsletter: Site-wide search across articles, teams, players, and tournaments with game filters, plus a free newsletter with match previews, breaking roster news, and exclusive analysis.

The platform is also active on X, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit and Facebook.

A lean team with deep scene knowledge

E-Sport Now launches with a three-person editorial team, each member covering the titles they know best. Readers always know who wrote what.

• Jonathan “Jonno” Nicholson, lead editor, brings more than 13 years of experience in esports journalism. Since 2014 he has written for publications including Esports Insider, Gfinity Esports, GGRecon, and Red Bull, with a particular focus on Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, and Valorant.
• Sofia “Fia” Lindqvist, based in Sweden, covers the MOBA scene, with Dota 2 and League of Legends as her specialties.
• Lukas “Luki” Brandt, based in Germany, covers the shooter titles Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Call of Duty — a passion that began with Counter-Strike 1.6 in an internet café.

The team plans to grow and is actively inviting writers and analysts to get in touch.

Launching into a packed season

The timing of the launch puts E-Sport Now right in the middle of one of the busiest periods on the esports calendar. In its first weeks, the platform is already covering the League of Legends World Championship, the VCT Champions playoffs, and major Counter-Strike 2 events, alongside breaking stories such as roster changes and player retirements.

"We are a young site and we are upfront about that," Nicholson added. "But our goal is to earn a place alongside the outlets fans already trust — one accurate, well-explained story at a time."

About ESPORTNOW Media, Ltd.

E-Sport Now is an independent digital news platform covering competitive gaming worldwide. Founded in 2026 and based in Limassol, the platform is committed to accurate, fair, and transparent esports journalism. Its coverage spans breaking news, match reporting, in-depth features, interviews, analysis, and investigative reporting on the esports industry. For more information, visit esportnow.com.

Media Contact

Johnathan Nicholson
Lead Editor
info@esportnow.com

LOS ANGELES, CA, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Target Test Prep has been voted No. 1 Test Prep in Newsweek’s 2026 Readers' Choice™ Awards for Best Test Prep. Founded by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, Target Test Prep is an education technology company that provides comprehensive online preparation for the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, and SAT. For Target Test Prep, the recognition marks a significant milestone. Target Test Prep first built its reputation in GMAT prep and has since expanded into GRE, SAT, and Executive Assessment prep.

Target Test Prep finished ahead of some of the largest and most established names in test prep, including Kaplan, The Princeton Review, Manhattan Prep, Magoosh, and UWorld. After being selected by Newsweek editors and panelists as one of this year’s nominees, Target Test Prep was voted the No. 1 Best Test Prep provider by Newsweek readers and consumers, reflecting the experiences of the students who use Target Test Prep.

"What makes this recognition especially meaningful is the support behind it," said Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder and CEO of Target Test Prep. "We have spent years working to build the kind of company students can trust when their goals really matter. Seeing that trust reflected back through this recognition means an enormous amount to our entire team."

Target Test Prep’s instruction covers every section of each exam, with adaptive study plans that adjust to each student’s timeline, starting point, and score goal. So, whether a student has three months or three weeks to prepare, they can focus on the areas that will move their score most. Flexible access means students can start small, study at their own pace, and pay only for the time they need.

For Target Test Prep students, the score is often only the beginning. Each year, students who prepare with Target Test Prep earn top scores and gain admission to highly selective undergraduate and graduate programs, including top MBA programs such as Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and The Wharton School.

"The voting happened over a short period, but the votes were earned over years," Woodbury-Stewart said. "They were earned one student at a time, one breakthrough at a time, and one successful outcome at a time. We are incredibly grateful to every student who trusted Target Test Prep, recommended us, supported us, and voted for us."

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards recognize standout businesses, brands, and experiences across a wide range of consumer categories. Nominees are selected by Newsweek editors and panelists, with readers and consumers then invited to vote for their favorites. The results determine each nominee’s final placement within its respective category.

The 2026 program highlights leading companies across numerous industries, including the Best Test Prep category, where Target Test Prep was voted No. 1.

"In a crowded marketplace, the opinions of consumers are a powerful measure of what stands out," said Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham. "Newsweek’s Readers' Choice Awards give our readers a voice in recognizing the brands, products, and experiences they value most. We’re proud to celebrate this year’s winners."

The Newsweek honor adds to a growing list of awards for Target Test Prep. In 2025, Target Test Prep was named Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year in the EdTech Breakthrough Awards.

"Our goal now is to keep raising the standard for what great test preparation can deliver," Woodbury-Stewart said. "Target Test Prep is built for students with ambitious goals. We want to help more of them earn extraordinary scores, gain admission to the world’s top colleges and graduate programs, and achieve goals they once thought were out of reach."

About Target Test Prep

Target Test Prep is an award-winning education technology company providing online prep courses for the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, and SAT. Target Test Prep combines rigorous instruction, personalized study plans, advanced analytics, expert support, on-demand learning, and AI-powered educational tools that analyze each student’s performance and recommend what to study next, helping students master challenging material, earn exceptional scores, and reach their academic and professional goals.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit www.newsweek.com.

Media Contact

Target Test Prep
Press/Media Relations
info@targettestprep.com

NEW YORK, NY, October 19, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Municipal Credit Union (MCU), the largest credit union headquartered in New York City, has grown from $3.1 billion to $5.2 billion in assets within recent years while advancing a modernization program across its physical and digital operations. The member-owned, not-for-profit institution serves more than 650,000 members and operates 17 branches across New York City.

The modernization includes renovations to MCU’s home office and branch locations, along with a shift from traditional teller roles to member service representatives trained to assist with a broader range of financial needs. MCU is also updating its digital and mobile banking capabilities.

Those investments reflect the realities of serving members in one of the country’s most complex and expensive markets. With rich culture, vibrant diversity, and abundant professional opportunities, New York City has held the title of the United States’ most populated city since the 1700s. The area’s cost of living — significantly higher than the national average — poses unique challenges for the over 8.5 million people who call the five boroughs home.

MCU has a distinctively local focus. Rather than creating products that appeal to a broader national demographic like larger financial institutions, MCU offers services tailored to the needs of New Yorkers. The credit union also returns money to its members through benefits like lower fees and better rates.

When MCU was founded in 1916, it catered specifically to municipal workers. Since then, the credit union has expanded its reach to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in New York City, with comprehensive offerings from checking and savings accounts to credit cards and investment services. Every service carefully considers the needs of members, such as personal loans under $15,000 — perfect for those who just moved to the city and need additional money upfront for initial costs, like renovations.

“Living in New York means making difficult financial decisions every day, and the stakes have only gotten higher,” says Kyle Markland, CEO. “Buying a home, saving for college, preparing for retirement — these are all milestones that require a plan. MCU is here to support New Yorkers at every stage of that journey. We understand the unique challenges of living here, and we’re committed to giving our members the guidance, tools, and local expertise they need to move forward with confidence.”

Symbiotic Success

Within recent years, MCU has grown from a $3.1 billion institution to a $5.2 billion institution serving more than 650,000 members across New York City. Guiding this growth is Markland, a 40-year credit union veteran who became CEO in 2020. During his tenure, he has led a member-first strategy that has improved operations organization-wide.

Part of this initiative is a modernization of MCU’s brick-and-mortar locations, including both its home office and branches, through complete renovations. Inside these locations, the traditional teller role will be filled by “member service representatives” trained to help members with all their financial needs — reducing wait times by eliminating the middleman. Markland also kickstarted a process to bring the credit union’s digital and mobile banking up to the standards people expect today.

This success is symbiotic, benefiting both MCU and the members it serves. As a member-owned organization, growth extends to superior services and community outreach through philanthropic giveback in areas like homeownership and education.

“We want to reward our members, and we’re here to help them in multiple areas of their lives, whether that’s an evolution of our products or finding ways for them to make more money,” says Markland. “We’re here to support those who support us. It’s a win-win.”

About Municipal Credit Union

Established in 1916 in New York City, Municipal Credit Union is the oldest credit union in New York. By providing a full range of financial services to municipal employees, police officers, firefighters, teachers, health care workers and others, MCU has grown to $5.2 billion in assets and over 650,000 members. Today, MCU membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in New York City. MCU operates 17 branches across New York City. MCU is an equal opportunity lender and deposits are insured to at least $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration. To learn more, visit nymcu.org.

Disclaimer

Municipal Credit Union (MCU) is an Equal Housing Lender and is federally insured to at least $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Membership eligibility requirements apply. All loans — including personal loans and home financing options — are subject to credit approval, income verification, and underwriting terms. Rates, terms, and maximum loan amounts are subject to change without notice. Lower fees, competitive deposit rates, and member benefits vary by product type and account qualification, and dividend rates or APYs may change after account opening.

Media Contact

Cania Infante
cinfante@nymcu.org