The Whitefish Credit Union has received three Diamond Awards from the Credit Union National Association, which recognizes outstanding marketing, branding, and business development achievements in the credit union industry.

There were a total of 1,147 entries submitted in 2017, with only a select few recognized for the award. The Diamond Award is considered the pinnacle of credit union marketing and business development. It recognizes credit unions that are willing to explore new ideas and take creative risks that allow them to become industry brand leaders.

Whitefish Credit Union, along with Grid, its marketing agency, took steps to develop innovative new campaigns in 2016. From generously supporting public schools to saving members thousands of dollars, these campaigns served to add value in the communities where the credit union operates, according to the credit union.

Eldon Tilley, vice president of marketing at Whitefish Credit Union, said Whitefish Credit Union’s real strength is improving the lives of its members.

“Our goal has always been to save our members money and improve their financial well-being,” Tilley said in a prepared release. “The value that we add to members’ lives is possible because of our longstanding heritage of financial strength and stability.”

Whitefish Credit Union received CUNA Diamond Awards for its “Take A Break” summer loan campaign and “High School Spirit” debit card campaign.

The credit union’s “Take A Break” campaign improved the quality and financial condition of those in its field of membership through money saved on loans and relief from payments.

The “High School Spirit” debit card campaign served to further strengthen the strong relationships Whitefish Credit Union enjoys with the communities it serves. The Credit Union worked with and alongside faculty and students from seven Northwest Montana schools to create a campaign that ultimately gave back more than $12,000 to several high schools in its field of membership.

The awards were presented by the Credit Union National Association Marketing & Business Development Council, a national network comprised of over 1,200 credit union marketing and business development professionals.