Blaze Credit Union to Acquire Luminate Bank-Claremont Branch
Blaze Credit Union will purchase the Luminate Bank®—Claremont, Minnesota, branch. Luminate Bank’s Claremont branch customers will become Blaze members/owners once the acquisition is complete October 9-12, 2026.
This acquisition preserves the in-person experience Claremont bank customers value at this location while expanding access to more locations (30 in total). The Claremont branch is 29 miles west of Blaze’s newly opened Rochester location and 28 miles east of Blaze Waseca on U.S. Highway 14.
“We are excited about bringing the Blaze way of banking to Claremont and the surrounding area. Our mission is to better lives. This opportunity provides more services to Luminate Bank’s Claremont customers, our members, and our communities.”
-Dan Stoltz, Blaze CEO/President
Continue Banking As Usual
For now, please continue your banking as usual with Luminate Bank. We do ask that you keep your contact information current so we can reach you with important updates and information regarding your account(s).
We know you have many questions, and we are here to help. Additionally, please review the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Dedicated to Protecting Your Funds
Both Luminate and Blaze are dedicated to a smooth transition and continued access to your funds.
Until the transition is completed, your deposits will continue to be held by Luminate Bank and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), subject to applicable limits.
After the transition is completed and your accounts are transferred to Blaze Credit Union, your deposits will be insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an independent agency of the U.S. Government, also subject to applicable limits.
Transition to Blaze
Once the transition is complete, the Claremont branch will remain fully operational and ready to serve the community as Blaze.
Claremont members will then be able to use Blaze products and services and make transactions at all Blaze branches. Existing Blaze members will also be able to use the Blaze Claremont branch.
Affirmative Act Consent
To complete the transition from a Luminate Bank customer to Blaze Credit Union member, an Affirmative Act Consent form must be submitted from every account owner. The secure form below should be completed by the primary accountholder unless you're representing a minor, trust, business signer, or other entity.
If you choose to decline the affirmative act consent process to become a Blaze member, your account will remain open at Blaze and you will still have access your funds. However, you will not able to open new or additional products or use Blaze's services until you complete the affirmative act consent action.
If you're submitting consents for multiple accounts, please refresh your browser after each submission.
What to Know Now
We promise to make the transition as seamless as possible. We will keep you updated along the way and will update this webpage regularly with information.
The acquisition of the Claremont branch and customer account transition will occur Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12.
Important Info Booklet
Watch your mail for a booklet with important information and to-dos to help you prepare for the transition.
Important Dates & To-Dos
Before October
Make sure your contact information on your Luminate Bank accounts is up to date.
Download all electronic statements stored in Luminate digital banking for future reference.
Friday, October 9
The Claremont branch will be open until 4:00 p.m.
It is recommended to have cash on hand to cover conversion weekend.
Luminate Bank checks should not be used after today.
Luminate digital banking will no longer be available after 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 10
Luminate Bank branch will be closed while you accounts transfer to Blaze.
Continue using your Luminate Bank debit cards through October 10. Your Luminate debit card will stop working on October 12, 2026.
Sunday, October 11
We recommend beginning to use your new Blaze debit card on October 11, 2026.
Log into or enroll in Blaze Digital Banking.
Activate and start using your new Blaze Visa® Debit card.
Start using your new Blaze checks.
Monday, October 12
All Blaze branches are closed for the holiday.
Old Luminate Bank debit cards will no longer work.
Tuesday, October 13
The transition from Luminate Bank to Blaze Credit Union is complete! The Luminate Bank (Claremont) location reopens as Blaze Credit Union - Claremont.
Begin updating your automatic deposits or withdrawals with your new Blaze account number and routing number.
Verify any bill payments that you had previously established within your Luminate Bank digital banking have migrated.
The Blaze Difference
As a not-for-profit credit union, we are member-owned and have a volunteer Board of Directors, so our focus is on bettering our members' lives. The profits we make are returned to members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates, and lower loan rates.
We offer financial guidance to our members and the community so that Minnesotans can blaze their own financial trail.
Blaze is Minnesota
We have 29 Blaze branches serving Minnesota with more on the way.
We believe in relationships — we want to know your story and, being located in your community, we hope to better understand where you're coming from.
Serving You in Your Community
At Blaze, we believe in giving back. It’s embedded in everything we do, from the services and rates we provide to our members to the way we engage with the communities we serve.
From walking in local parades to volunteering for and supporting local non-profits, Blaze is committed to our Minnesota community. When our communities grow, we all benefit.
The Credit Union Advantage
A credit union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that is owned and managed by its members and is closely regulated just like any other financial institution.
Credit unions exist to help people, not make a profit.
Deposit Insurance
Your deposits are federally insured through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), a U.S. Government Agency, up to $250,000 for regular deposits and up to $250,000 for IRAs. See below for an NCUA vs FDIC comparison chart.
| NCUA | FDIC | |
|---|---|---|
| Institution Covered | Federal and state-chartered credit unions |
Bank and Savings Institutions |
| Insurance Limit | Up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category |
Up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category |
| Accounts Covered | Checking, savings, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit |
Checking, savings, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit |
| Insurance Fund | National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), backed by full faith of U.S. government. The insurance fund is fully funded by all credit unions insured by the NCUA |
Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), backed by full faith of U.S. government |
| Coverage | Automatic coverage, no cost |
Automatic coverage, no cost |
NCUA
- Institution Covered
Federal and state-chartered credit unions
- Insurance Limit
Up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category
- Accounts Covered
Checking, savings, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit
- Insurance Fund
National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), backed by full faith of U.S. government. The insurance fund is fully funded by all credit unions insured by the NCUA
- Coverage
Automatic coverage, no cost
FDIC
- Institution Covered
Bank and Savings Institutions
- Insurance Limit
Up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category
- Accounts Covered
Checking, savings, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit
- Insurance Fund
Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), backed by full faith of U.S. government
- Coverage
Automatic coverage, no cost
More About Blaze
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Blaze Named a 2026 Best of the Twin Cities Silver Winner
Blaze accomplishes a major milestone in its core vision of being Minnesota's Best.
Blaze Acquires Luminate Bank's Claremont Branch
Blaze Credit Union will purchase the Luminate Bank®—Claremont, Minnesota, branch adding access to members and potential members in southeast Minnesota.
Welcome to Blaze Credit Union
From Waseca to Keewatin, St. Cloud to Rochester, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro, and communities in between, we've been bettering the lives of Minnesotans like you since 1934. We carefully reflect on how best to support you and your dreams.
We’re driven by Midwestern values — community, integrity, and plain old hard work. Wherever you're in the Twin Cities or beyond, consider Blaze as your local guide in your financial journey.
Let’s blaze your trail together.
