We are Honored
At Blaze, we don't set out to win awards. We're focused on delivering exceptional service to our members. Every day, we work to be Minnesota's best financial institution, and it's an honor to have that commitment recognized.
Blaze Credit Union has earned recognition from leading regional and national organizations for excellence in member service, home mortgage, wealth management, and overall customer experience. Recent honors include the Star Tribune Minnesota’s Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Forbes Best-in-State Credit Unions, Newsweek America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions, and Twin Cities Business Best of Business.
These recognitions reflect Blaze's ongoing commitment to helping Minnesotans create Better Lives.
Star Tribune Readers' Choice Award Program
In 2025, Blaze was recognized by the Star Tribune Readers’ Choice Award program as Minnesota’s Best in five categories for the third consecutive year.
Blaze earned Gold in Credit Union, Home Mortgage, Wealth Management, and Financial Services Customer Service, and Silver in the overall Customer Service category.
Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union
In 2025, Blaze was named a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union in Minnesota for the third consecutive year.
Partnering with the market research firm Statista, Forbes annually recognizes the best banks and credit unions in each state. The designation honors financial institutions that have been evaluated by a survey of approximately 26,000 U.S. residents.
Newsweek America's Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions
In 2026, Blaze was again recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights as one of America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions for the second year in a row.
Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group recognized organizations that are committed to powering local economies by supporting small businesses, financing community projects, and providing reliable access to everyday banking services.
Twin Cities Business Best of Business
In 2025, Twin Cities Business (TCB) Magazine recognized Blaze in the Best of Business Awards with a Silver award in the Credit Union category.
This recognition highlights Blaze’s commitment to excellence, leadership, and exceptional service throughout the Minnesota business community.
| Year/Organization | Award | Category | Designation | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Newsweek | America's Best |
Credit Unions |
Top 500 |
Ranks the top 500 regional banks and 500 credit unions based on financial health, customer satisfaction, and community impact. |
| 2026 America's Credit Unions | Diamond Award |
Complete Campaign |
Winner |
Recognizing campaigns using multiple media formats to achieve significant impact. |
| 2026 Mpls.St.Paul Magazine | Readers' Best of the Twin Cities |
Credit Union |
Silver |
An audience-driven readers' choice award hosted by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. |
| 2026 Elk River Star News | Readers' Choice |
Credit Unions |
Best Credit Union |
Honors top local businesses, people, and services in the Elk River area, including Otsego, Ramsey, and Orrock Township. |
| 2025 Newsweek | America's Best |
Credit Unions |
Top 500 |
Ranks the top 500 regional banks and 500 credit unions based on financial health, customer satisfaction, and community impact. |
| 2025 Scotsman | Readers' Choice |
Credit Unions |
Best Credit Union |
An audience-driven readers' choice award hosted by the Kanabec County Times and Northstar Media. |
| 2025 Star Tribune Readers' Choice Award | Minnesota's Best |
Mortgage, Wealth Management, Credit Union, Financial Services Customer Service, Customer Service |
Gold (Mortgage, Wealth Management, Credit Union, Financial Services Customer Service) Silver (Customer Service) |
An audience-driven readers' choice award from over 1 million votes. |
| 2025 Forbes | Best-in-State |
Credit Unions |
Winner |
Recognizes financial institutions excelling in member satisfaction, trust, and service. |
| 2025 Twin Cities Business | Best of Business |
Credit Unions |
Silver |
Recognizing the top Minnesota vendors and service providers across 100+ categories, chosen by readers for their excellence, customer service, and reliability. |
| 2025 MnCUN | Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award |
Over $1B Assets |
Winner |
Recognizing credit unions for outstanding leadership in promoting financial literacy to members and nonmembers under age 18. |
| 2025 Elk River Star News | Readers' Choice |
Credit Unions |
Best Credit Union |
Honors top local businesses, people, and services in the Elk River area, including Otsego, Ramsey, and Orrock Township. |
| 2024 Newsweek | America's Best |
Credit Unions |
Top 250 |
Ranks the top 500 regional banks and 500 credit unions based on financial health, customer satisfaction, and community impact. |
| 2024 Scotsman | Readers' Choice |
Credit Unions |
Best Credit Union (Pine City) |
An audience-driven readers' choice award hosted by the Kanabec County Times and Northstar Media. |
| 2024 Star Tribune Readers' Choice Award | Minnesota's Best |
Mortgage, Wealth Management, Credit Union, Financial Services Customer Service, Customer Service |
Gold (Mortgage, Wealth Management, Credit Union, Financial Services Customer Service) Silver (Customer Service) |
An audience-driven readers' choice award from over 1 million votes. |
| 2024 Forbes | Best-in-State |
Credit Unions |
Winner |
Recognizes financial institutions excelling in member satisfaction, trust, and service. |
2026 Newsweek
- Award
America's Best
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Top 500
- Recognition
Ranks the top 500 regional banks and 500 credit unions based on financial health, customer satisfaction, and community impact.
View Award Details
2026 America's Credit Unions
- Award
Diamond Award
- Category
Complete Campaign
- Designation
Winner
- Recognition
Recognizing campaigns using multiple media formats to achieve significant impact.
View Award Details
2026 Mpls.St.Paul Magazine
- Award
Readers' Best of the Twin Cities
- Category
Credit Union
- Designation
Silver
- Recognition
An audience-driven readers' choice award hosted by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.
View Award Details
2026 Elk River Star News
- Award
Readers' Choice
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Best Credit Union
- Recognition
Honors top local businesses, people, and services in the Elk River area, including Otsego, Ramsey, and Orrock Township.
View Award Details
2025 Newsweek
- Award
America's Best
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Top 500
- Recognition
Ranks the top 500 regional banks and 500 credit unions based on financial health, customer satisfaction, and community impact.
View Award Details
2025 Scotsman
- Award
Readers' Choice
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Best Credit Union
- Recognition
An audience-driven readers' choice award hosted by the Kanabec County Times and Northstar Media.
View Award Details
2025 Star Tribune Readers' Choice Award
- Award
Minnesota's Best
- Category
Mortgage, Wealth Management, Credit Union, Financial Services Customer Service, Customer Service
- Designation
Gold (Mortgage, Wealth Management, Credit Union, Financial Services Customer Service)
Silver (Customer Service)
- Recognition
An audience-driven readers' choice award from over 1 million votes.
View Award Details
2025 Forbes
- Award
Best-in-State
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Winner
- Recognition
Recognizes financial institutions excelling in member satisfaction, trust, and service.
View Award Details
2025 Twin Cities Business
- Award
Best of Business
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Silver
- Recognition
Recognizing the top Minnesota vendors and service providers across 100+ categories, chosen by readers for their excellence, customer service, and reliability.
View Award Details
2025 MnCUN
- Award
Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award
- Category
Over $1B Assets
- Designation
Winner
- Recognition
Recognizing credit unions for outstanding leadership in promoting financial literacy to members and nonmembers under age 18.
2025 Elk River Star News
- Award
Readers' Choice
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Best Credit Union
- Recognition
Honors top local businesses, people, and services in the Elk River area, including Otsego, Ramsey, and Orrock Township.
View Award Details
2024 Newsweek
- Award
America's Best
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Top 250
- Recognition
Ranks the top 500 regional banks and 500 credit unions based on financial health, customer satisfaction, and community impact.
View Award Details
2024 Scotsman
- Award
Readers' Choice
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Best Credit Union (Pine City)
- Recognition
An audience-driven readers' choice award hosted by the Kanabec County Times and Northstar Media.
View Award Details
2024 Star Tribune Readers' Choice Award
- Award
Minnesota's Best
- Category
Mortgage, Wealth Management, Credit Union, Financial Services Customer Service, Customer Service
- Designation
Gold (Mortgage, Wealth Management, Credit Union, Financial Services Customer Service)
Silver (Customer Service)
- Recognition
An audience-driven readers' choice award from over 1 million votes.
View Award Details
2024 Forbes
- Award
Best-in-State
- Category
Credit Unions
- Designation
Winner
- Recognition
Recognizes financial institutions excelling in member satisfaction, trust, and service.
View Award Details
Latest Recognition News
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's Brian Thomas May Named Midway Chamber Volunteer of the Year
Brian Thomas May, Director Digital Marketing, has been named Volunteer of the Year by the Midway Chamber of Commerce recognizing commitment, dedication, and leadership to the Chamber.
Blaze Named One of America's Best Credit Unions by Newsweek
Blaze has again been recognized as one of America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions 2026 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group.
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.
