Phoenix, Ariz.
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Commitment to community. Those three words encapsulate two new credit union partnerships with two sports teams in Utah and Colorado announced last week.
Officials with the $17.3 billion Mountain America Credit Union, headquartered in Sandy, Utah, unveiled its multiyear partnership with the Phoenix Suns and will now be the official credit union of the NBA team. As part of the partnership, Mountain America also unveiled its exclusive Suns debit and credit cards.
Mountain America and Phoenix Suns credit and debit card design. Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein said, "Our partnership with Mountain America Credit Union is another example of our team's commitment to our fans and our community. Through this partnership, we will offer fans more unique ways to show their support with custom credit and debit cards, while also working together to make a positive impact in the Valley."
Also as part of the partnership, the Suns and Mountain America will volunteer at the Southwest Human Development to promote literacy and childhood development. And the Suns will continue to sponsor the credit union's Swing for the Kids charity golf tournament, which raises money for Primary Children's Hospital.
"Mountain America is honored to be the official credit union of the Phoenix Suns," Mountain America Credit Union President/CEO Sterling Nielsen said. "This collaboration not only exemplifies our commitment to quality and community, it also underscores our dedication to providing personalized products and services. We look forward to helping even more community members define and achieve their financial dreams."
Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, in Hockey News
The $1.8 billion Blue Federal Credit Union in Cheyenne, Wyo., has secured a partnership deal with the Colorado Eagles hockey team, an AHL affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, to be the official credit union of the Eagles, located in Loveland, Colo.
As part of the partnership deal, Blue will have the naming rights on the Eagles home facility, which will be renamed Blue Federal Credit Union Arena. The name will officially change on Oct. 1.
Stephanie Teubner, president/CEO of Blue, said, "Our commitment to fostering connections within this community is evident as we proudly step into our role as the Official Credit Union of the Colorado Eagles."
Eagles President Ryan Bach added, "Our fans will have access to some incredible new offers from Blue, and they will quickly see Blue's desire to put our fans and our community first."
Also included in the partnership, Blue will participate in several community initiatives including the team's Youth Jersey Giveaway in November and the Eagles annual Pot of Gold fundraiser.
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Michael Ogden
Editor-in-Chief at CU Times. To connect, email at [email protected]. As Editor-in-Chief of CU Times since 2016, Michael Ogden has led the editorial team in all aspects of content strategy and execution, including the creation of the publication’s exclusive and proprietary research database of the credit union industry’s economic landscape. Under Michael’s leadership, CU Times has successfully shifted to an all-digital editorial product with new focuses on the payments, fraud, lending and regulatory beats. Most recently, he introduced a data-focused editorial product for subscribers that breaks down credit union issues into hard data, allowing for a deeper and more factual narrative for readers. In 2024, he launched the "Shared Accounts With CU Times" podcast, which offers a fresh, inside-the-newsroom perspective through interviews with leaders from the credit union industry and the regulatory world. He dives into pressing credit union issues, while revealing the personalities working behind-the-scenes to push the credit union world forward. His background includes years as a radio and TV anchor/reporter and a public relations and digital/social media manager, where he covered the food and music industries, as well as cooperatives and credit unions. Over the years, he has launched numerous exclusive video and podcast series, including a successful series of interactive backstage interviews with musicians at music festivals, showcasing his social media and live streaming production skills.
