Tom Tilmes

Highpoint Community Bank has agreed to become part of Independent Bank—a partnership that is expected to bring expanded lending options, digital tools, and additional resources to our communities. We expect all our locations to remain open, and the same team you know and trust to continue serving you. Our commitment to personal service, local decision-making, and community involvement remains the same. More updates will be shared soon, but for now, you can learn more about it here: https://bit.ly/3PjfhOO

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Independent Bank (est. 1864) is a very well-respected community bank headquartered in nearby Grand Rapids. There is excellent alignment with our branch network, culture, and focus on people. Independent has the scale to make necessary investments in technology and tools that today's customer expects. I am excited for all of the benefits this will offer our customers and communities, as well as new opportunities for our employees to grow with a larger institution. While this was an incredibly difficult decision for our board, and unexpected news for our team, I can't imagine a better partner to help sustain HCB's community banking legacy into the future.

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Mechanics Cooperative Bank President & CEO, Joe Baptista, recently sat down with Bob Fraser, President & CEO of MountainOne Bank, to discuss the upcoming merger and share their perspective on this important partnership. 🤝 This conversation reflects our shared commitment to strong community banking and the values that guide both institutions. Stronger Together, Local Forever.

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Our response to Elizabeth Warren. DCUC immediately wrote to Senator Elizabeth Warren in response to her December 2 correspondence regarding overdraft fees at credit unions. In the letter, DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak highlighted the key differences between credit unions and large for-profit banks, emphasizing the member-owned, not-for-profit structure that drives consumer-friendly policies across the industry. "We share your concern that too many households live on the financial edge. Credit unions remain true to their mission of serving people of modest means.” Stverak said. "In that spirit, I welcome the opportunity to address the issues you raised and to clarify how credit unions approach overdraft programs in practice.” Read the full response in the comments.

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A great recap by The Business Journal of this moring’s Coffee and Connections at 7 17 Credit Union in Kent, Ohio! Banking isn’t about transactions, it’s about Connections.

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Summing up 2025 in one word: transformational. We expanded our footprint in Texas and the South through our partnerships with Veritex Community Bank and Cadence Bank, deepening capabilities and relationships. We grew with discipline and executed with focus.  And we did it all while staying true to the people-first philosophy that has defined us for over 160 years. Read the full 2025 Annual Report here: https://lnkd.in/gHfucib6

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🔵 VALUE DRIVEN — Local Leadership + Long-Term Vision St. Petersburg deserves more than a bank branch. It deserves local leadership. As we bring SouthState Bank to this market, one of the things I’m most proud of is our commitment to Local Market Leadership — empowering experienced bankers to make decisions that serve their community. Not decisions made states away. Not one-size-fits-all answers. We combine that with a Long-Term Horizon — prioritizing sustainable growth and stability over short-term wins. Because relationships in St. Pete aren’t built quarter to quarter. They’re built over years. That’s the kind of banking we’re committed to bringing here. #StPeteBusiness #RelationshipBanking #SouthState

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Financial stability is built through access, education, and trusted partnerships. Healthy Families & Communities is proud to partner with Fulton Bank and Operation HOPE to offer a new series of Financial Education Workshops designed to strengthen financial knowledge and long-term stability for individuals and families in our community. Strong partnerships make meaningful impact possible. Together, this collaboration expands access to tools and information that support informed decision-making and brighter financial futures for the communities we serve. Click the link to sign up! https://lnkd.in/eQDZBrvJ

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How does your credit union serve members who are employed by struggling financially? Rivermark Community Credit Union's Seth Schaefer and Ryan Halley, PhD, CFP®, CFT™ talked with Mike Lawson about how they use ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, yet Employed) data to directly inform decisions about products and services that help serve this group of members. #BackboneCU #CreditUnions #ALICE #FinancialEmpowerment

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Capital Credit Union President and CEO Laurie Butz has navigated many challenges, from paying her own way through college to reshaping her leadership approach after receiving some tough feedback. Her personal evolution has significantly influenced Capital Credit Union's culture. Under Butz's leadership, Capital CU is not only growing its assets but also actively addressing financial literacy gaps in the community, partnering with organizations to empower individuals and fostering a culture of hope and possibility. "We are here to give people hope, to show them what the possibilities are," Butz says. "And that is different for everyone." Read more in the June issue, available now: https://loom.ly/zArSm-g

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